Posted 3 days ago
Program Manager, Training Systems
AI Summary
Program Manager responsible for end-to-end delivery of a U.S. Air Force training solution (Looking Glass), including curriculum, training devices, and team leadership.
About this role
Albers Aerospace is seeking an experienced Program Manager to lead a significant new strategic pursuit: a comprehensive training solution supporting a major U.S. Air Force special mission aircraft program, informally known as Looking Glass. This is a high-visibility role reporting to the Vice President of Programs, with direct exposure to Albers' executive leadership throughout the pursuit and, upon award, full program execution.
The Program Manager will own the training solution scope end-to-end — from capture strategy and proposal development through post-award execution — including complete training curriculum development, flight crew training, mission crew operations training, maintenance training, and the full suite of associated training devices. This individual will build and lead an integrated team of internal training designers, subject matter experts, and specialized subcontractor partners to deliver a turnkey, contractually compliant training solution.
The ideal candidate blends the agility and resourcefulness of a small business operator with the rigor and discipline of a large defense prime — and understands that compliance and speed are not mutually exclusive. Albers is not a bureaucracy and has no interest in becoming one. We need a leader who brings deep training-domain expertise, builds mission-capable teams, moves with urgency, and keeps warfighter readiness at the center of every decision.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
Pursuit & Program Leadership
•Own the training solution scope of the pursuit from opportunity shaping through proposal submittal and, upon award, full program execution.
•Build and manage an integrated program plan, schedule, and budget covering curriculum development, training device fielding, and training delivery services.
Training Program Development & Execution
•Direct development of a complete training curriculum, including all training materials, presentations, and instructional content required to support the program.
•Oversee development and execution of flight training for flight crew, operations training for mission crew, and maintenance training for maintainers.
•Manage design, development, and fielding of the full suite of training devices, including Flight Training Devices, Flight Procedures Trainers, Mission Crew Training Devices, and Computer-Based Training.
Integrated Team Leadership
•Build and lead a multidisciplinary team spanning instructional design, engineering, logistics, and subject matter experts, along with specialized subcontractor partners.
•Drive a culture of accountability, urgency, and warfighter focus across the extended training team.
•Coordinate and integrate subcontractor deliverables into a single, cohesive training solution that meets program schedule and quality requirements.
Customer Interface, Risk & Compliance
•Serve as a key point of contact for training-related discussions with U.S. Government customers and program stakeholders, preparing program reviews and status briefings.
•Develop and manage program risk registers, mitigation plans, and corrective actions; ensure full compliance with FAR, DFARS, ITAR, and contract-specific requirements throughout pursuit and execution.
Business Development & Capture Support
•Support capture efforts and proposal development for the training solution, including technical approach, management plans, past performance narratives, and basis-of-estimate documentation.
•Contribute training-domain expertise to competitive positioning and pricing strategy.
•Represent Albers' training capabilities in customer engagements and teaming discussions as needed.
QUALIFICATIONS
REQUIRED | PREFERRED / DESIRED |
Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Engineering, Military Science, Education, Instructional Design, or a related field | Master's degree or equivalent advanced education; PMI PMP or DAU Program Management Level III certification |
Minimum 8 years of progressive program management experience, including direct support to Department of Defense training programs | 12+ years with increasing responsibility managing DoD training or aircrew/mission systems training programs |
Demonstrated experience managing training program lifecycles, including curriculum development, instructional systems design (ISD/ADDIE), and training device development | Specific U.S. Air Force training program experience, including special mission aircraft, ISR, or similarly complex platforms. Fighter Weapons School Instructor is a plus. |
Proven ability to build and lead cross-functional and subcontractor teams delivering complex, multi-element training solutions | Experience developing and fielding a full suite of training devices (Flight Training Devices, Flight Procedures Trainers, Mission Crew Training Devices, CBT) |
Experience managing program budgets, Estimates at Completion (EACs), cost reporting, and supporting proposal development and pricing for DoD training or aircraft programs | Direct experience supporting capture efforts and writing winning proposals and basis-of-estimate documentation; familiarity with EVMS/IPMDAR reporting |
Active U.S. DoD Secret Security Clearance required | Ability to obtain and maintain Top Secret clearance |
LEADERSHIP COMPETENCIES & CULTURAL FIT
Albers Aerospace is not a slow-moving bureaucracy — nor do we intend to become one. We are building something enduring for the warfighter, and we need a Program Manager who embodies the following:
•Warfighter Focus — Every decision is made with mission readiness in mind. You understand who ultimately depends on Albers' training solutions and you keep that commitment central to your work.
•Builder's Mentality — You thrive building a training solution and a program from the ground up, creating structure and discipline without waiting for perfect conditions.
•Compliance Without Bureaucracy — You know how to run FAR/DFARS-compliant programs that move fast. You will not gold-plate processes or let compliance be an excuse for slow execution.
•Training Domain Expertise — You bring deep, credible knowledge of how DoD and USAF training programs are built and delivered, and you translate that expertise into a solution customers trust.
•Accountability & Collaboration — You own outcomes, not excuses, and hold your team and subcontractor partners to commitments. Albers is a team of teams, and you work fluidly across engineering, business development, and contracts without territorial friction.
