At Elroy Air, we build autonomous vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) cargo drones to change the way the world moves goods. Transporting cargo by air is faster and more direct than by land or sea, but it has been prohibitively expensive for medium-size loads. We've set out to expand middle-mile logistics possibilities across multiple sectors, with our sights on a $420Bn global total addressable market for cargo logistics across defense, commercial and rapid response.

We are a team of builders, engineers, and operators who believe that the defense, commercial, and rapid response communities need faster, better logistics solutions. We are seeing increasing demand as customers and prospects respond enthusiastically to the systems we’ve built. As we mature and deploy our offerings, we are looking for people like you: motivated collaborators, enthusiastic about our mission and ready to roll up their sleeves and make a big impact to improve how logistics works around the world. You will play an important role in establishing the Elroy Air Chaparral as the industry standard in this massive market.

We believe diverse perspectives at all levels of the organization are critical to innovation and employee development. This includes but is not limited to gender identity, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender expression, religion, age, ability, parenthood status, veteran status, educational background, citizenship status, or any combination of these characteristics.

We encourage you to apply even if you aren't an exact match for our open role as many of our team members come from nontraditional backgrounds.

All employees will be screened through E-Verify.

This position will require access to information protected under U.S. export control laws and regulations, including Export Administration Regulations (EAR). Please note that any offer for employment will be conditioned on any required authorization to receive software or technology controlled under these U.S. export control laws and regulations necessary to perform the responsibilities of the position.

Role Description

This is a high-ownership, high-impact role for an experienced Technical Program Manager (TPM) with a strong background in complex hardware and software integration. You will drive end-to-end program execution across aircraft subsystems, including propulsion, powertrain, avionics, flight controls, and ground support systems. You will establish program schedules, manage critical path dependencies, mitigate technical risks, and ensure seamless cross-functional delivery from early design and flight test through to production ramp.

This role is a hybrid position based out of our Byron office, but on-site presence will naturally fluctuate depending on program milestones and build cycles. As a TPM, you are ultimately responsible for being present on-site to ensure the successful execution, integration, and delivery of hardware builds. During active build, assembly, and integration phases, you can expect to be in our Byron facility up to 4 or 5 days a week to work directly with engineering and shop floor teams. During desk-heavy phases—such as early requirements definition, planning, and documentation—your schedule will lean more flexible, averaging around 2 days on-site per week. Some travel will also be required, including visits to flight test facilities and key partner locations.

What You’ll Do:

• Lead Prototype Build Execution & Integration: Serve as the primary program owner responsible for the build, bring-up, and end-to-end integration of our primary test platform housing all powertrain components—driving hardware/software tuning, system integration, and risk de-risking ahead of flight test.

• Drive Program Execution: Establish, manage, and track integrated master schedules (IMS) across hardware, software, and systems engineering streams to hit aggressive company flight test and certification milestones.

• Manage Technical Risks & Dependencies: Proactively identify critical path risks, system interdependencies, and technical bottlenecks. Facilitate trade studies, risk burn-down strategies, and architectural alignment across cross-functional teams.

• Bridge Engineering & Manufacturing: Partner closely with Mechanical, Electrical, Flight Controls, Software, Manufacturing, and Supply Chain engineering teams to ensure seamless progression from prototype build to flight test and production.

• Communicate & Align Stakeholders: Lead program reviews, planning, and executive reporting. Communicate schedule status, blocker resolution, and risk metrics clearly to leadership, key external partners, and customers.

• Refine TPM Processes: Establish scalable program management best practices, requirement tracking frameworks, change management controls, and reporting dashboards light enough to keep startup velocity while rigorous enough for aerospace safety standards.

• Maintain Regulatory & Quality Compliance: Align program milestones with aerospace certification pathways (FAA, Military Airworthiness) and quality standards including AS9100, DO-178C, DO-254, and ITAR/EAR export controls.

Our Ideal Candidate:

• 6+ years of technical program management experience delivering complex hardware, software, or integrated electro-mechanical systems in aerospace, defense, robotics, automotive, or autonomous systems.

• Proven track record managing multi-disciplinary engineering programs through full lifecycle execution—from concept trade studies to flight test and rate production.

• Deep technical literacy across hardware engineering, software development lifecycles, systems engineering, and flight test operations.

• Mastery of modern program management tools and methodologies (e.g., Jira, Confluence, MS Project, Smartsheet.

• Demonstrated ability to influence without authority, lead cross-functional engineering teams, and drive technical consensus in fast-paced, ambiguous environments.

• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and risk management capabilities, with a focus on metrics-driven progress tracking.

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Engineering (Aerospace, Mechanical, Electrical, Computer Science, Systems) or a related technical discipline.

• A scrappy, solutions-oriented professional who thrives in unstructured environments and builds lean, effective processes to maintain momentum.

Bonus Points For:

• Experience managing VTOL, UAV, or electric/hybrid-electric aircraft programs.

• Familiarity with FAA/civil airworthiness certification processes, ARP4754A, DO-178C, DO-254, and AS9100 standards.

• Hands-on experience with flight testing, or flight hardware qualification.

• Prior experience scaling technical program management functions within high-growth engineering startups or aerospace primes.