Program Manager (Defense & Aerospace)

AECOM•Ridgeland, MS

About The Position

AECOM is seeking a Program Manager to lead complex engineering, architecture, and infrastructure programs supporting Prime System Integrators, federal defense agencies, and aerospace clients. The role coordinates interdependent efforts across planning, design, construction, modernization, testing, integration, sustainment, and mission-support infrastructure. Working with client leadership, engineering teams, prime contractors, and OEM partners, the Program Manager translates strategic objectives into integrated execution plans with clear delivery milestones. The position guides defense, aerospace, space, missile, and national security programs, with a focus on disciplined coordination, quality performance, and dependable delivery. The Program Manager establishes program scope, budgets, resource plans, governance, and measurable cost, quality, and delivery objectives; manages risks, configuration changes, constraints, and recovery actions; and provides executive reporting on financial performance, schedules, production risks, and decisions requiring leadership action. The role also guides project managers and technical leads, maintains alignment with client commitments and contractual requirements, and leads program reviews across design, construction, commissioning, testing, occupancy, and mission-readiness milestones. The role includes supporting capture management, pursuit strategy, and proposal development for engineering, architecture, construction, or federal services contracts. AECOM requires newly hired employees to attend in-person Day 1 onboarding at an AECOM office location. The company describes flexible work options and comprehensive benefits, which may depend on employment status.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Architecture, Construction Management, or a related discipline.
10+ years of program or project management experience supporting defense, aerospace, federal, architecture, engineering, infrastructure, or other complex technical programs, including 2 years of leadership or demonstrated equivalency of experience and education.
US citizenship is required due to the nature of the work.

Nice To Haves

20+ years of program or project management experience leading defense, aerospace, space, missile, national security, or mission-critical infrastructure programs.
Experience supporting Prime System Integrators on engineering, architecture, facility, infrastructure, or mission-support programs.
Experience coordinating prime contractors, OEMs, and specialized suppliers on complex manufacturing programs.
Experience supporting spacecraft, launch systems, missile systems, weapons integration, laboratories, secure facilities, test complexes, mission-critical infrastructure, or defense sustainment facilities.
Project Management Professional (PMP) or Program Management Professional (PgMP) certification.
Experience managing programs with defense acquisition requirements, mission assurance, risk management, configuration management, and executive-level contractual reporting requirements.
Experience leading large, geographically dispersed organizations and driving enterprise-level transformation initiatives.

Responsibilities

Lead program planning and execution for engineering, architecture, infrastructure modernization, mission-support facilities, and capital improvement programs.
Coordinate dependencies across manufacturing engineering, operations, quality, supply chain, and equipment partners.
Establish program scope, budgets, resource plans, governance, and measurable cost, quality, and delivery objectives.
Coordinate multidisciplinary engineering teams, OEMs, prime contractors, government stakeholders, architects, constructors, and specialty consultants.
Manage program risks, configuration changes, constraints, and recovery actions affecting production objectives.
Provide executive reporting on financial performance, schedule status, production risks, and decisions requiring leadership action.
Guide project managers and technical leads while maintaining alignment with client commitments and contractual requirements.
Lead program reviews and track design, construction, commissioning, testing, occupancy, and mission-readiness milestones.
Support capture management, pursuit strategy, and proposal development efforts for engineering, architecture, construction, or federal services contracts.