Senior Program Manager - Aviation programs

Description

ABOUT 49NORTH

49North is a Canadian defence company delivering secure, multi-domain C4ISR capabilities that provide decision advantage in complex and contested environments. A wholly-owned subsidiary of MDA Space, building on more than five decades of trusted Canadian defence delivery, 49North operates as a sovereign Canadian provider of mission-critical C4ISR systems, bringing disciplined prime-contractor execution to defence and security programs.

49North is rooted in the execution of large, complex, and mission-critical programs. This legacy reflects a record of delivery where engineering rigour, operational reliability, and national trust are non-negotiable. 49North Defence strengthens Canada's sovereign defence capability by delivering integrated mission systems and multi-domain C4ISR integration, enabling trusted Canadian and coalition operations, assured interoperability, and sustained readiness.

Program/Project Description:

The Aviation Program is comprised of two main projects: Global Procedure Designed (GPD) and Automated Charting and Encoding (ACE).

GPD was originally developed in the early 2000s for the USAF. It is a Windows-based decision support application that enables procedure design specialists to rapidly create instrument procedures worldwide. The application integrates a GIS module for procedure design visualization and drag-and-drop operations to fine-tune procedures to avoid terrain and obstacles. GPD supports many standard input and output data formats (e.g., AIXM, ARINC, DAFIF and DVOF).

In 2022 GPD was enhanced for NAV CANADA with many features including TP308 criteria and support for standard terminal arrival routes and enroute procedures. GPD is currently in use by more than 350 design specialists, building and evaluating procedures globally.

ACE is a next-generation aeronautical chart management solution that provides fully automated chart production directly from aeronautical data sources, transforming digital flight procedures into interactive, publication-quality aeronautical charts and ARINC encodings. The speed, simplicity and power of ACE were drivers in the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency's decision to implement ACE as the standard for automated aeronautical chart generation.

Strategic Impact

• Overall authority and responsibility for the Program
• Strategic alignment of projects to business objectives and customer contracts
• Stakeholder alignment & satisfaction across internal and external partners
• Delivery excellence: on-time, on-budget, in-scope
• Team performance & accountability: clear priorities, realistic plans, predictable outcomes, empowerment
• Risk & opportunity management: identify early, mitigate, and leverage

Responsibilities

• Execution: Accountable for integrated cross-functional project execution, removing barriers, enforcing baselines, and driving issue resolution
  • Cross‑functional orchestration with Planning, Finance, Supply Chain/Subcontracts
  • Establish a continuous improvement culture to improve tools, systems and business processes
• Schedule & cost: Own IMS, monitor and control, act early on variances, and implement recovery actions with Finance alignment
  • Own overall delivery within cost, schedule, scope envelope
  • Maintain quality, on-time deliveries and within budget
• Stakeholders & communications: Own customer interface and internal stakeholder communications; provide transparent status, maintain shared situational awareness and support
  • Customer/commercial interface, stakeholder alignment and communications
  • Collaboration with Engineering, Contracts, Quality and Finance in support of portfolio execution
• Effective Team Leadership: Guide Project Leads or Team Leads within scope, fostering accountability and efficient execution
  • Manage program resourcing levels in collaboration with Engineering and Talent Acquisition
  • Grow the technical team, onboard new hires, and provide growth opportunities for existing team members
• Planning (baseline WBS & IMS): Define milestones/critical path; integrate risks, resources, and assumptions validated with functions
• Forecasting: Surface early indicators, address root causes, and drive corrective actions and options
• Scope & requirements: Formal change control with Contracts/Engineering; ensure traceability and acceptance evidence; protect baselines and prevent scope creep
• Risk & opportunity management: Escalate beyond authority with options and recommendations
• Support BD to grow business: Develop existing and new customers

Job Complexity

• Operates independently for significant periods
• Approximately 50 direct staff
• Approximately $15M per annum revenue
• Supervision of Project Leads and Team Leads
• Complex customer interfaces with multiple key accounts (USAF, NGA and NAV CANADA)
• Significant interaction with New Business on multiple strategic pursuits

Qualifications / Requirements

• BSc, BEng, or equivalent in an engineering or applied science discipline
• Minimum 15 years of experience in program/project management, preferably in a safety-critical/mission-critical regulated software or systems engineering environment
• Proven past performance leading multi-disciplinary software engineering teams
• Strong understanding of financial tracking and reporting
• Strong leadership, communication and interpersonal skills
• Result-oriented with excellent critical thinking
• Ability to work well in a dynamic environment where some parameters are unknown and change regularly
• Strong knowledge of system and/or software engineering standards, methodologies, and lifecycle practices
• Flexibility: does what needs to be done and ensures nothing slips through the cracks
• Strong understanding of the aviation domain, workflows and data requirements
• Experience in product-based, design-to-cost environments considered an asset

We're a dream team of purpose-driven, collaborative and passionate people, and we are constantly looking for others to join 49North to ignite new and innovative approaches to problem-solving that push us forward.

Comments / Special Considerations

Successful candidates must obtain and hold security clearance at the Secret level, and pass security assessment for the Controlled Goods Program (CGP) and ITAR.

Benefits

49North provides competitive compensation and benefits packages for its employees at all locations. As a team member of 49North, you and your qualified dependents are eligible to participate in a benefits plan that provides comprehensive protection through extended healthcare and flexible drug plans, dental and vision benefits, disability income protection, life insurance, group retirement savings plans, and an employee and family assistance program.

Equal opportunity statement

49North is an equal opportunity employer that values diversity and inclusion. We are committed to treating all employees and applicants with respect and dignity. If you require assistance and/or reasonable accommodation due to a disability during the application or recruiting process, please notify us.

Accommodations

49North is proud to provide accommodations during the recruitment process. If you require any accommodations, please indicate this on your application or cover letter and we will work with you to meet your accessibility needs.

Compensation range: The compensation range for this position is $122,400.00 - $168,300.00 annually. The specific compensation offered will be based on the qualifications and experience of the successful candidate.