Deputy Program Manager

Desired Start Date: 2 weeks prior to award, or no later than 2 weeks after award

Location: Oklahoma City, OK

Clearance Requirement: Active Secret Security Clearance required at time of employment

Travel Requirement: Up to 25–35% domestic and international travel

Position Summary

Fairwinds Technologies is seeking an experienced Deputy Program Manager (DPM) to support a high-visibility aircraft modernization program. The DPM serves as the principal deputy to the Program Manager and assists in all aspects of program execution, including systems engineering, avionics integration, aircraft modification, software development, testing, cybersecurity, logistics, and customer engagement.

The ideal candidate combines strong program management expertise with technical experience in military aircraft systems, avionics modernization, mission systems integration, and aircraft certification. This role requires balancing technical execution with cost, schedule, risk, and stakeholder management while leading cross-functional teams to achieve program objectives.

This is a supervisory position.

Key Responsibilities

• Support day-to-day execution of a complex avionics modernization and aircraft integration program.
• Monitor program performance against cost, schedule, technical, quality, and contractual objectives.
• Coordinate activities across engineering, software, testing, logistics, cybersecurity, and aircraft modification teams.
• Lead cross-functional Integrated Product Teams (IPTs) and promote collaboration, accountability, and mission success.
• Serve on behalf of the Program Manager when required.

• Support aircraft systems integration, avionics modernization, and modification efforts.
• Coordinate integration activities across engineering disciplines and manage technical interface issues.
• Assess impacts to aircraft electrical, structural, cooling, mission, and communication systems.
• Support airworthiness, certification, and technical review activities.
• Work closely with the Chief Engineer and Systems Engineering teams to ensure technical execution aligns with program objectives and contract requirements.

• Serve as a key interface with government customers, aircraft OEMs, subcontractors, suppliers, and other stakeholders.
• Support Program Management Reviews (PMRs), Technical Interchange Meetings (TIMs), Integrated Product Team (IPT) meetings, and executive reviews.
• Present program status, technical progress, risk assessments, and corrective action plans.

• Track program performance, schedule dependencies, and critical path activities.
• Support Earned Value Management System (EVMS), Integrated Baseline Reviews (IBRs), and Cost and Software Data Reporting (CSDR) requirements.
• Lead identification, assessment, and mitigation of technical, schedule, integration, certification, cybersecurity, and supply-chain risks.
• Develop and track corrective action plans and maintain risk management processes.

• Provide oversight for RMF, ATO, Program Protection Plan (PPP), Supply Chain Risk Management (SCRM), TEMPEST, and cybersecurity compliance activities.
• Support Integrated Logistics Support (ILS) planning and long-term sustainment efforts.
• Manage subcontractor and supplier performance, deliverables, schedules, and issue resolution.

Required Qualifications

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Systems Engineering, Avionics Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a related technical discipline.
• PMP and/or DAWIA certification preferred.

Experience

• 8+ years of experience supporting aerospace, defense, or military aviation programs.
• 5+ years in program management, engineering management, IPT leadership, or deputy program management roles.
• Experience supporting aircraft modification, avionics integration, or airborne mission systems programs.
• Demonstrated experience managing technical teams and complex engineering activities.
• Strong understanding of military aircraft systems, avionics integration, and mission systems modernization.
• Knowledge of systems engineering, aircraft certification, and airworthiness processes.
• Experience managing cost, schedule, technical performance, and program risks.
• Familiarity with DoD acquisition, EVMS, cybersecurity, and logistics support processes.
• Excellent leadership, communication, stakeholder management, and presentation skills.
• Ability to work effectively with government customers, industry partners, and multidisciplinary teams.

Compensation - Salary

At Fairwinds, we consider many factors when it comes to compensation, including the scope of the position as well as your background and experience. Base pay may vary depending on job-related knowledge, skills, location and experience. Additional incentives may be provided as part of the compensation package, in addition to a range of medical, financial, and/or other benefits.

Position Type/Expected Hours of Work

This is a full time, exempt position.

Work Authorization/Security Clearance: 

Must be eligible to work in the US. Must hold active DoD Secret Clearance.

AAP/EEO Statement

Fairwinds Technologies, LLC is an Equal Opportunity Employer – M/F/Veteran/Disability/Sexual Orientation/Gender Identity