Project Management Specialist (Senior)

Join a Company Where You Can Make a Real Impact - and Own a Piece of the Future

Are you energized by the idea of helping a company grow smarter, serve our customers better, and connect more deeply? Do you thrive in an environment where your ideas matter, your voice is heard, and your work drives real results? If so, we'd love to meet you.

We're a mid-sized, employee-owned company on a mission to create meaningful value for both our employees and our customers. That means we're not just looking for someone to fill a seat - we're looking for someone who wants to build, innovate, and evolve with us.

Our company primarily serves the Navy and other Department of Defense clients, offering a dynamic environment where your expertise will make a difference.

About the Role

AVIAN is seeking a Senior Project Management Specialist to provide high-level program and project management support for avionics systems programs within a NAVAIR acquisition environment. This role serves as a key contributor to program execution, responsible for driving planning, financial oversight, schedule performance, and analytical decision-making across complex efforts.

The ideal candidate brings a strong blend of project control, financial management, and acquisition program support, with the ability to translate data into actionable insights that keep programs on track and aligned with mission objectives.

Key Responsibilities

Program & Project Management Support

Lead development and maintenance of integrated master schedules (IMS) and work breakdown structures (WBS) for complex avionics program integration of Communication, Navigation, Surveillance/Air Traffic Management (CNS/ATM) capabilities in various Type/Model/Series Aircraft
• Monitor program execution against cost, schedule, and performance baselines, identifying risks and recommending corrective actions
• Perform technical trade-off analyses and project management approach assessments related to CNS/ATM certification administration and tracking
• Effectively communicate with external NAVAIR platform leaders and contractors on certification processes, requirements and establish certification timelines and milestones
• Support program planning efforts through analysis, definition, and execution strategy development

Financial & Budget Management

• Oversee and maintain cost accounting data, including labor utilization and other direct costs, ensuring alignment with contract requirements
• Track and manage program budgets utilizing various funding types and Other Customer funds (OCF), ensuring expenditures remain within prescribed limits
• Review financial data for accuracy, compliance, and reporting readiness
• Provide insights into resource allocation and forecasting

Schedule & Performance Tracking

• Track progress against established milestones and deliverables within Integrated Master Schedules (IMS), ensuring timely completion of program objectives
• Analyze program status and provide data-driven recommendations to leadership
• Develop and deliver monthly status reports detailing progress, risks, and financial performance (CDRL support)

Project Control & Reporting

• Lead development and maintenance of project management tools, databases, and dashboards
• Prepare executive-level briefings, reports, and decision support materials
• Ensure deliverables meet standards for timeliness, completeness, and quality

Documentation & Compliance

• Maintain accurate records of reimbursable expenses, including travel and other direct costs
• Ensure documentation is audit-ready and available for COR review upon request
• Support development of final program reports and contract closeout documentation

Required qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Finance, Engineering, or related field
• 8+ years of relevant experience in program/project management, preferably within DoD or NAVAIR environments
• Demonstrated experience with:
  • Project planning and scheduling tools (e.g., MS Project or equivalent)
  • Budget tracking, financial analysis, and cost management
  • DoD acquisition lifecycle support
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret complex data and communicate insights clearly
• Experience supporting technical programs (e.g., avionics, weapons systems, or aircraft platforms)
• Must be able to obtain and maintain a Department of Defense security clearance.
• Due to the sensitivity of customer-related requirements, U.S. Citizenship is required.

Desired Qualifications

• Experience supporting NAVAIR PMAs, NAWC AD and aviation-related programs and procedures.
• Familiarity with the certification process for CNS/ATM capabilities; Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast Out (ADS-B(out)), IFF Mode S, 8.33 kHz channel spacing and Performance Based Navigation (PBN).
• Advanced proficiency in Excel, Projects and data visualization/reporting tools
• Salary range: $155,000 - $165,000 (The offered rate will be based on the selected candidate's knowledge, skills, abilities, and/or experience and in consideration of internal parity.)

About being a part of Team AVIAN

As an employee-owner, you'll be a catalyst for progress - helping us find new opportunities with current or new customers, company efficiencies, streamline processes, and bring people and ideas together in smarter ways. Whether it's helping us optimize workflows, enhancing the employee experience, or delivering more impactful solutions to our customers, your inputs will have reach and relevance across the organization.

Taking care of each other is a cornerstone of our AVIAN philosophy. Being part of the AVIAN team means being part of a team that takes pride in being expansive in our community because our impact doesn't stop in the workplace. We actively engage in community initiatives, empowering our employees to make a meaningful difference.

You'll Succeed Here If You...

• See opportunities where others see routine
• Are curious, collaborative, and passionate about making things better
• Enjoy connecting dots across teams, tools, and tasks
• Believe in doing the right thing the right way - even when no one's watching
• Play an active role in our growth, using your ideas and initiative to shape how we work, serve, and succeed together
• Embrace a "one team" mindset knowing we are stronger together through trust, transparency and teamwork.
• Understand the power of ownership - and are excited to be part of an employee-owned culture

Why Join Us?

• Employee Ownership: We're not just building a company - we're building a legacy. As an employee-owner, you'll share in our success and have a direct stake in our future.
• Real Growth: We're expanding, evolving, and exploring new ways to serve. Your contributions will shape our direction and help us grow stronger.
• Purpose-Driven Work: Every improvement you help make is one that adds value - not just for us, but for the people and missions we support.
• Culture of Collaboration: We're big enough to take on meaningful challenges, but small enough that everyone still knows your name.
• Comprehensive Benefits Package: Designed to support your health, financial security, and overall well-being, our health and wellness benefits include medical, dental, and vision coverage, along with telemedicine services and a TRICARE supplement for veterans.
• Flexible Leave Benefits: we prioritize a balanced, supportive environment that allows you to thrive both personally and professionally and offer flexible and paid time off, 11 paid holidays, paid sick leave, maternity and bonding leave, and military training leave.

AVIAN is a service-based organization. As an equal opportunity employer, our policy of business is to seek the most qualified candidate for each talent opportunity without regard to race, creed, color, sex, age, religious belief, marital status, national origin, ancestry, sexual preference, physical or mental handicap, lawful political affiliation or veteran's status.