Principal Program Manager

Saab•East Syracuse, NY

10d•$165,700 - $223,800•Onsite

About The Position

Saab is seeking a Principal Program Manager to lead a team of Program Managers responsible for profitable program execution within the Surveillance division. The role is based onsite at Saab’s East Syracuse, New York office and manages people and programs spanning civil aviation and commercial surveillance applications, including radar systems, FAA capabilities, international air service organizations, and associated ground infrastructure and civil works. The successful candidate will bring experience in the design, development, fielding, and lifecycle management of large-scale, complex ground-based and/or airborne/air-traffic systems, with in-depth knowledge of military and/or commercial radar systems, markets, and technologies. Experience supporting civil aviation, FAA programs, international air service organizations, and related civil infrastructure or construction activities is highly desirable. The position provides portfolio-level leadership across cost, schedule, technical performance, customer satisfaction, and profitable growth. It oversees programs through design, development, manufacturing, integration, installation, deployment, modernization, and sustainment, while driving business growth and capture strategy across defense, civil aviation, commercial radar, and Air Traffic Management markets. The role also oversees infrastructure and civil works activities supporting deployments and develops high-performing program management teams. Domestic and international travel of up to 10–15% annually is required. Candidates must be U.S. citizens and must hold or be able to obtain a U.S. Secret security clearance. Applicants may be subject to a government security investigation and must meet eligibility requirements for access to classified information. Candidates must also pass a pre-employment drug screen.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Business, or a related discipline.
12 or more years of experience in surveillance systems, including radar, civil aviation, and FAA capability production programs/project management.
Experience leading cross-functional teams.
Experience transitioning product production from one location to another.
Experience in risk and opportunity management.
Experience with surveillance defense programs.
Experience with federal contracting processes, including EVMS, ECP/RFV, FAR, OTAs, SAPs, CRADAs, and WPP.
Excellent oral and written communication skills.
Strong organization and time-management skills, attention to detail while tracking multiple interdependent functions, and ability to follow up on action items and requests.
Self-motivated, enthusiastic, with a strong work ethic and desire to learn.
Must hold or be able to obtain a U.S. Secret security clearance.
Strong business acumen and effectiveness working with people at all organizational levels.
U.S. citizenship is required.
Ability to travel domestically and internationally up to 10–15% annually.
Must pass a pre-employment drug screen.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree or MBA.
Experience supporting civil aviation, FAA programs, international air service organizations, and associated civil infrastructure or construction activities.
Experience with direct commercial and Foreign Military Sales.
TS/SCI security clearance.

Responsibilities

Provide leadership and accountability for assigned program managers and portfolios, including cost, schedule, technical performance, customer satisfaction, and profitable growth.
Establish and govern program strategy, budgets, execution plans, and performance metrics in alignment with business objectives and customer requirements, including effective use of EVM/EVMS for internal and external reporting.
Lead complex multidisciplinary programs spanning the design, development, manufacturing, integration, installation, deployment, modernization, and sustainment of ground-based and airborne/air-traffic radar and Air Traffic Management systems.
Drive business growth and capture strategy across defense, civil aviation, commercial radar, and Air Traffic Management markets by identifying opportunities, developing competitive proposals, and leveraging customer, market, and competitive intelligence.
Build and maintain strategic relationships with the FAA, international air service organizations, military and civil aviation customers, and major industry primes.
Provide executive-level oversight of program execution, including requirements, risk, integration, operational readiness, site acceptance, field deployment, regulatory considerations, and customer commitments.
Lead cross-functional collaboration across engineering, operations, contracts, finance, quality, supply chain, construction/civil works, sales, product management, and other organizations.
Oversee infrastructure and civil works for radar and Air Traffic Management deployments, including site development, construction, facilities, utilities, installation, and subcontractor execution.
Develop and lead program management teams by mentoring program leaders, making talent recommendations, and fostering accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
Ensure execution meets defense and civil aviation requirements, emphasizing performance, reliability, quality, cost, schedule, regulatory compliance, and customer outcomes.
Represent the organization with senior customers and stakeholders and support business and program activities across multiple time zones, including international travel as required.