Program Manager – Aerospace Software – Bavaria – 12 Months

Aerospace Program Manager (DO-178C) – 12 Months 

South Bavaria, Germany | 12-Month Contract | Long-Term Extension Potential | 3-4 Days Onsite per Week | English Speaking, German Preferred

About the role

A client we are supporting are looking for an experienced Aerospace Program Manager to lead the delivery of complex avionics and embedded software program within a safety-critical aerospace environment.

This position sits at the intersection of program leadership, engineering delivery, and certification compliance, with a particular focus on software developed in accordance with DO-178C. The successful candidate will be responsible for driving programme execution across multidisciplinary teams, ensuring alignment between software, systems, electronics, certification, and commercial stakeholders.

You will act as the primary interface between customers, engineering teams, and senior leadership, overseeing program planning, risk management, budget performance, and certification milestones. The role requires someone who can confidently navigate both technical discussions and commercial considerations while maintaining delivery commitments within a highly regulated aerospace environment.

This is a long-term opportunity supporting the development and lifecycle management of aerospace systems including flight control, actuation, avionics, and embedded software solutions. The position requires regular onsite presence in the South Bavaria region to work closely with engineering and program stakeholders.

Main responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end delivery of aerospace and avionics program from planning through execution and customer acceptance
• Manage software development program operating within DO-178C certification environments
• Coordinate cross-functional teams across software, systems engineering, hardware, electronics, certification, quality and manufacturing
• Develop and maintain program schedules, budgets, resource plans and delivery roadmaps
• Act as the primary customer-facing representative for program status, milestones and escalations
• Manage contractual commitments, commercial performance and program profitability
• Establish and maintain program risk registers and mitigation plans
• Monitor key delivery KPIs, program metrics and certification milestones
• Support audits, program reviews and certification activities with relevant authorities and customers
• Drive stakeholder communication across executive leadership, engineering teams and external partners
• Ensure compliance with aerospace development processes, safety requirements and quality standards

Requirements

Essential

• Proven experience as a Program Manager, Project Manager or Delivery Manager within the aerospace industry
• Strong understanding of DO-178C software development and certification processes
• Experience managing safety-critical embedded software or avionics development program
• Background leading multidisciplinary engineering teams across software, systems and electronics
• Demonstrated experience managing program schedules, budgets, risks and customer relationships
• Understanding of aerospace systems lifecycle management and certification activities
• Degree in Aerospace Engineering, Systems Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, Industrial Engineering or similar technical discipline
• Strong stakeholder management and communication skills
• Fluent English language skills
• Ability to be onsite in South Bavaria 3-4 days per week

Desirable

• German language skills
• Experience within avionics, flight controls, actuation systems or aerospace electronics
• Knowledge of ARP4754A, ARP4761, DO-254 or aerospace systems engineering methodologies
• Familiarity with requirements management and development tools such as DOORS, Polarion or Jama
• Experience working with EASA, FAA or military aerospace program
• PMP, PRINCE2 or equivalent program management certification

The offer

• 12-month contract
• Strong likelihood of long-term extension
• Hybrid working model with 3-4 days onsite in South Bavaria
• Opportunity to support high-profile aerospace development program
• English-speaking environment with German preferred
• Immediate or flexible start available