MRO PROGRAM

Manager

Aviation Search Group

•

Victorville, California

•

PERMANENT

Updated 09/01/2026

Job Description

Job Summary

PROGRAM MANAGER III

Aviation & Aerospace | Program Management | Victorville, California

Lead Complex Aviation Programs. Drive Results. Shape the Future.

We are seeking an experienced Program Manager III to lead complex aviation and aerospace programs from initial planning through successful completion. This is a high-impact opportunity for a seasoned aviation professional who understands the technical side of aircraft operations and has the program management experience to coordinate people, resources, budgets, schedules, customers, and deliverables.

This role is ideal for someone who has progressed from a technical aviation background—such as A&P, engineering, maintenance, or logistics—into program management and is ready to take ownership of some of the organization's most technically challenging and business-critical programs.

The Program Manager will serve as a key point of contact for customers and internal leadership while coordinating cross-functional teams to deliver projects safely, on time, within budget, and to the highest standards of quality.

WHAT YOU'LL DO

Program Leadership & Execution

Own the overall direction, planning, coordination, execution, and completion of complex aviation and aerospace programs.

Develop detailed project plans covering scope, schedule, manpower, materials, tooling, equipment, services, and other required resources.

Establish priorities and coordinate cross-functional resources to meet customer commitments and program milestones.

Manage multiple programs and competing priorities while maintaining visibility into schedule, cost, quality, and performance.

Identify risks, develop mitigation strategies, and proactively address issues before they impact program execution.

Maintain accountability for program performance and ensure commitments are met.

Customer & Stakeholder Management

Serve as a primary point of contact for customers throughout the life of assigned programs.

Conduct regular customer meetings and provide clear updates regarding program status, schedule, requirements, risks, and concerns.

Build strong customer relationships through professionalism, transparency, responsiveness, and technical credibility.

Manage customer requests and additional work, including preparing proposals and ensuring appropriate approvals are obtained before work begins.

Ensure contractual obligations, invoicing requirements, technical documentation, and customer deliverables are completed accurately and on time.

Financial & Schedule Management

Track program budgets, forecasts, and actual expenditures to ensure programs remain financially healthy.

Monitor labor and non-labor costs and identify opportunities to improve program profitability.

Develop and maintain project schedules from initial planning through completion.

Anticipate material, tooling, parts, equipment, and service requirements well in advance to prevent schedule delays.

Support manpower planning and resource allocation based on program requirements.

Assist with proposals, bids, estimates, high-level schedules, and new business opportunities.

Aviation & Technical Oversight

Apply strong technical knowledge of aircraft, engines, maintenance, engineering, logistics, and/or aerospace operations to program execution.

Understand customer aircraft and technical requirements and continually expand aviation and technical knowledge.

Review work plans and program documentation to ensure requirements are clearly communicated and properly executed.

Conduct regular audits of applicable aircraft or engine programs to ensure compliance with established requirements and schedules.

Work closely with maintenance, engineering, production, purchasing, scheduling, quality, and other functional teams.

Reporting & Continuous Improvement

Develop and maintain program reports, metrics, forecasts, and management dashboards.

Utilize Microsoft Office, Excel, Microsoft Project, and other program management tools to effectively manage complex projects.

Identify process improvements and communicate opportunities to leadership.

Promote accountability, collaboration, professionalism, safety, and continuous improvement across all areas of responsibility.

Requirements

WHAT WE'RE LOOKING FOR

Bachelor's degree in a technical, engineering, business, management, or related field; equivalent experience may be considered.

15+ years of technical aviation experience, such as A&P, engineering, aircraft maintenance, technician, maintenance supervision, logistics, or a related discipline.

5+ years of aerospace engineering, aircraft maintenance, or aviation logistics experience.

5+ years of program management experience.

Proven experience managing large, complex, technically challenging programs.

Experience managing programs that carry significant operational, financial, schedule, or customer risk.

Strong understanding of aircraft and aviation operations.

Excellent organizational and time-management skills.

Strong negotiation and problem-solving abilities.

Exceptional written and verbal communication skills.

Strong customer service and relationship-management skills.

Proficiency with Microsoft Office and Microsoft Project.

Ability to manage multiple programs and priorities simultaneously with limited supervision.

Demonstrated ability to make decisions, take initiative, and drive projects to completion.

THE RIGHT FIT

We're looking for someone who is more than a project coordinator. The ideal candidate is a hands-on aviation professional who understands what it takes to get aircraft programs across the finish line.

You should be comfortable walking into a maintenance or production environment, understanding the technical challenges, talking with customers and technicians, reviewing schedules and budgets, and making decisions that keep the program moving.

You are:

A self-starter who takes ownership.

Comfortable working in a fast-paced aviation environment.

Highly organized and detail-oriented.

A strong communicator and negotiator.

Customer-focused and solutions-oriented.

Comfortable working across multiple departments.

Committed to safety, quality, and accountability.

Someone who can identify problems early and develop practical solutions.

WHY RELOCATE TO VICTORVILLE, CALIFORNIA?

Build Your Career in the High Desert Aviation Hub

Victorville offers a unique combination of major aerospace opportunities, California lifestyle, and a lower-cost alternative to living directly in the Los Angeles metro area.

Aerospace is right in your backyard. The Victorville/High Desert region has a long-standing aviation and aerospace presence, making it an attractive location for professionals who want to build their careers around aircraft, maintenance, engineering, MRO, and aerospace operations.

More space for your money. Compared with many areas of Southern California, the High Desert provides opportunities for more affordable housing and a more spacious lifestyle while still keeping you within reach of major Southern California employment centers.

Easy access to Southern California. Victorville provides access to the greater Los Angeles region while allowing you to live outside the congestion and cost of the major metro areas.

Outdoor lifestyle. The High Desert offers access to hiking, off-road recreation, camping, desert landscapes, and other outdoor activities. The surrounding region provides plenty of opportunities to get outside and enjoy the California sunshine.

Close to major destinations. Los Angeles, the San Bernardino/Riverside area, and Las Vegas are all within driving distance, giving you access to major entertainment, dining, sporting events, airports, and weekend destinations.

Career growth without the big-city commute. For an aviation professional looking to take the next step into a high-level program management position, Victorville offers the opportunity to work on significant aviation programs while enjoying a different pace of life than the traditional Southern California metro area.

WHAT YOU'LL GAIN

Leadership responsibility over complex aviation programs

Exposure to high-value aircraft and aerospace projects

Opportunity to work directly with customers and senior leadership

Significant cross-functional influence

Career growth within a technically driven aviation environment

The opportunity to leverage your technical aviation background in a strategic leadership role

Relocation opportunity to Victorville, California

PHYSICAL & WORK ENVIRONMENT

This position requires the ability to work in both office and aviation/industrial environments. The role may involve frequent walking and standing, occasional lifting or carrying of objects weighing approximately 10-50 pounds, and exposure to outdoor or industrial conditions including heat, cold, wind, rain, dirt, fumes, and other environmental factors.

The position requires the ability to communicate effectively, use computer systems, review written documentation, and perform duties safely in both office and operational environments.

If you're an experienced aviation professional ready to move beyond day-to-day maintenance and take ownership of complex programs, this is an opportunity to put your technical expertise, leadership, and program management skills to work at a higher level.

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