Military Aircraft Programme Manager – Permanent – Warton

Protec Technical is recruiting a Military Aircraft Programme Manager for a permanent senior leadership role at a major combat aircraft manufacturing and support business in Warton. This is a high-profile position offering strategic influence over one of the UK’s most significant and long-running military aviation programmes.

About the role

You will take senior leadership ownership of a military aircraft development or in-service support programme, leading multi-disciplinary engineering and support teams through complex programme phases and driving delivery to MOD customer requirements. The role carries significant accountability for cost, schedule, technical performance, and customer satisfaction across a demanding defence aviation environment.

Key responsibilities

• Lead and manage a military aircraft programme from contract milestones through to customer delivery and in-service transition
• Serve as the primary customer interface with MOD, Defence Equipment and Support (DE&S), and allied customer representatives
• Build, lead, and develop integrated programme teams across engineering, supply chain, and commercial functions
• Implement and maintain Earned Value Management (EVM), risk management, and programme control processes
• Drive programme performance reporting and governance for internal and MOD stakeholders

Requirements

• Degree in Engineering, Management, or a related discipline; APM, PMI, or MSP qualification desirable
• Minimum 10 years’ experience in defence aerospace programme management, with direct exposure to military aircraft programmes
• Proven track record of delivering complex, multi-million-pound military aviation development and/or production programmes
• Strong commercial acumen and experience managing contracts with MOD and allied defence customers
• Active UK SC clearance; DV clearance highly desirable for this programme
• UK national; right to live and work in the UK

Salary

£90,000–£115,000 per annum, plus car allowance, bonus scheme, pension, and private healthcare.

How to apply

Please submit your CV along with a brief summary of military aviation programmes managed to info@protectechnical.co.uk. All applications will be handled with complete discretion.