Aviation Principal Program Manager - Special Systems

ARORA ENGINEERS•Concord Township, PA

About The Position

The Aviation Principal Program Manager – Special Systems serves as the senior execution leader for large, complex aviation Special Systems and IT programs. This role is accountable for program-level delivery across major airport initiatives involving terminal, airside, landside, and enterprise technology environments. This is a program execution role, not a portfolio governance position. The Principal holds full responsibility for assigned aviation programs and operates under the Director, SS Project Delivery. The role requires deep aviation Special Systems expertise and demonstrated experience leading large airport technology programs within active operational environments.

Requirements

Minimum 20 years of progressive experience in aviation IT, airport systems integration, or Special Systems program delivery.
Demonstrated experience leading large, complex airport technology programs involving multiple technical disciplines and stakeholders.
Deep understanding of airport IT and Special Systems environments, including telecom, network infrastructure, security systems, passenger systems, and systems integration.
Proven record of program-level scope management, commercial discipline, and change control.
Strong executive presence with the ability to manage complex airport authority and airline relationships.
Active participation in the aviation industry, particularly in aviation IT or Special Systems forums.
PMP certification required.

Nice To Haves

ACI-NA BIT participation strongly preferred.
PS&S committee participation desirable.
Professional Engineer license preferred but not required.

Responsibilities

Lead execution of large, multi-discipline aviation Special Systems programs from initiation through closeout.
Own assigned program scope, schedule, budget, staffing strategy, and client performance.
Serve as the primary executive interface with airport authorities, airline stakeholders, prime architect, and project partners.
Establish program governance structures, executive reporting cadence, and performance dashboards.
Direct coordination across airport IT and Special Systems environments, including telecom infrastructure, network systems, security systems, passenger systems, and enterprise integrations.
Provide strategic and technical leadership to multidisciplinary teams without serving as the day-to-day design lead.
Lead program-level risk identification, mitigation planning, and executive escalation.
Drive scope control, change management, and fee negotiation to ensure commercial protection.
Ensure alignment with Special Systems delivery standards, QA/QC expectations, and Director-level governance requirements.
Manage assigned program teams, including Project Leads, Design Leads, Design Team, BIM production staff, and external integration stakeholders.