Title: Sr Program Manager, Digital Thread Transformation

Job Description:

Your Mission at Virgin Galactic

Virgin Galactic is seeking an experienced Sr. Program Manager, Digital Thread Transformation to lead and deliver complex, cross-functional technology initiatives across the organization. Reporting to the Sr. Director, IT Program Management, this role will oversee a portfolio of strategic programs, including a critical Digital Thread initiative that connects Engineering, Manufacturing (MES), Service & Maintenance (MRO), and Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) systems into a cohesive, end-to-end enterprise ecosystem.

This role will provide program leadership, governance, and execution oversight to ensure alignment with enterprise strategy, business priorities, and operational objectives. The Sr. Program Manager will be responsible for driving delivery excellence across multiple concurrent initiatives, managing dependencies, risks, and stakeholder expectations in a highly integrated and evolving technology landscape.

Operating at both strategic and execution levels, this role requires strong leadership, cross-functional coordination, and the ability to translate complex business and technical requirements into actionable program plans that deliver measurable outcomes. Support the company strategy by holding ourselves and one another accountable for getting the work done.

Responsibilities

Contribute to the Digital Thread business strategy and develop the program roadmap for short-term and long-term enterprise transformation planning.
Develop a comprehensive understanding of enterprise systems landscape, including Engineering, PLM, MES, MRO, and related upstream/downstream integrations; identify dependencies, risks, and opportunities for optimization.
Lead end-to-end program management for multiple critical IT initiatives, including a Digital Thread program enabling seamless data flow and traceability across the product lifecycle.
Define and manage program scope, objectives, timelines, budgets, and success metrics aligned with business strategy and enterprise architecture.
Establish and maintain integrated program plans, ensuring alignment across workstreams such as engineering, manufacturing, supply chain, and service operations.
Drive cross-functional coordination across IT, engineering, operations, and external partners to ensure successful delivery of complex system integrations.
Identify, manage, and mitigate program risks, issues, and dependencies, ensuring proactive resolution and clear communication to stakeholders.
Implement and maintain program governance frameworks, including stage gates, reporting cadence, KPIs, and executive dashboards.
Oversee integration efforts across PLM, MES, ERP, and MRO systems, ensuring data consistency, traceability, and scalability of solutions.
Partner with Architects to ensure alignment with target-state architecture and technology standards.
Manage vendor relationships onshore and offshore for accountability and delivery effectiveness.
Lead resource planning, budget management, contract management and cost tracking across multiple initiatives, including vendor and partner coordination.
Provide executive-level communication, providing clear status updates, risk assessments, and decision support.
Drive continuous improvement in program delivery practices, tools, and methodologies.
Ensure adherence to SDLC processes, quality standards, and compliance requirements.
As a trusted technical advisor, provide guidance and expertise to business and IT leaders, aligning technology initiatives with strategic business outcomes.
Work collaboratively to achieve goals and/or complete assigned tasks.

Required Skills and Experience

Education & Experience

Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Engineering, Business or related field, or equivalent experience.
8+ years of experience preferred with a minimum of 7 years in program or project management within enterprise IT environments.
Proven track record managing large-scale, complex, cross-functional programs involving multiple enterprise systems.
Experience delivering Digital Thread, PLM, MES, ERP, or MRO-related initiatives preferred.
Experience in manufacturing, aerospace, or high-technology environments strongly preferred.

Demonstrate willingness to adjust thinking and behavior. 
Ability to communicate in a manner that is timely, respectful, and open to other ideas.

Program & Technical Expertise

Strong understanding of enterprise systems integration, including PLM, MES, ERP, and service platforms.
Experience managing system implementations, integrations, and transformation programs across distributed environments.
Deep knowledge of program management methodologies (Agile, Waterfall, Hybrid).
Familiarity with enterprise architecture principles and system interdependencies.
Experience with program management tools (e.g., MS Project, Jira, Monday.com, or equivalent).
Understanding of data flow, digital continuity, and lifecycle traceability concepts.
Experience with application change management and adherence to proper application deployment plans.

Business & Domain Knowledge

Strong understanding of end-to-end product lifecycle processes, from design and engineering through manufacturing and service.
Experience supporting digital transformation initiatives that improve operational efficiency and data-driven decision-making.
Knowledge of manufacturing operations, supply chain, and maintenance/service processes.
Experience in Aerospace & Defense industries is a plus.

Leadership & Delivery

Demonstrated ability to lead large, cross-functional teams and influence stakeholders/process owners at all organizational levels.
Strong experience in program governance, portfolio management, and strategic planning.
Ability to manage multiple concurrent initiatives with competing priorities.
Proven ability to drive accountability, alignment, and execution in complex environments.

Analytical & Problem-Solving Skills

Strong analytical and critical thinking skills, with the ability to assess complex systems and interdependencies.
Experience identifying risks, developing mitigation strategies, and driving resolution.
Ability to translate business needs into structured program plans and measurable outcomes.

Communication & Collaboration

Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including executive-level presentations.
Strong stakeholder management and relationship-building capabilities.
Ability to collaborate effectively across technical and business teams.
Comfortable operating in fast-paced, highly collaborative environments.

Preferred Certifications

Project Management Professional (PMP) or equivalent certification preferred.
Agile certifications (e.g., SAFe, Scrum Master) preferred.

#LI-SR1

The annual U.S. base salary range for this full-time position is $135,385.00–$202,400.00. The base pay actually offered will vary depending on job-related knowledge, skills, location, and experience and take into account internal equity. Other forms of pay (e.g., bonus or long term incentive) may be provided as part of the compensation package, in addition to a full range of medical, financial, and other benefits, dependent on the position offered. For more information regarding Virgin Galactic benefits, please visit https://vgcareers.virgingalactic.com/global/en/benefits

Who We Are

Virgin Galactic is an aerospace and space travel company, pioneering human spaceflight for private individuals and researchers with its advanced air and space vehicles. We are making the dream of space travel a reality, delivering spaceflight at an unprecedented frequency, with the development of next generation space vehicles.

Export Requirements
To conform to U.S. Government export regulations, applicant must be a U.S. Person (either a U.S. citizen, a lawful permanent resident or a protected individual as defined 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3) or be able to obtain the required authorization from either the U.S. Department of State or the U.S. Department of Commerce. The applicant must also not be included in the list of Specifically Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons maintained by the Office of Foreign Assets Control. See list here.

EEO Statement
Virgin Galactic is an Equal Opportunity Employer; employment with Virgin Galactic is governed on the basis of merit, competence and qualifications and will not be influenced in any manner by race, color, religion, gender, gender identity, national origin/ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, marital status, mental or physical disability or any other legally protected status.

Drug Free Workplace
Virgin Galactic is committed to a Drug Free Workplace. All applicants post offer and active teammates are subject to testing for marijuana, cocaine, opioids, amphetamines, PCP, and alcohol when criteria is met as outlined in our policies. This can include pre-employment, random, reasonable suspicion, and accident related drug and alcohol testing.

Phoenix Employment Requirements
For individuals seeking employment at our Phoenix Mesa Gateway Airport facility, employment is contingent upon you obtaining and maintaining a TSA authorized security badge. This includes initial and annual mandatory background checks that are governed by TSA, and conducted by the Phoenix Mesa Gateway Airport badging office.

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