Expert Program Manager

Requisition ID # 174850 

Job Category: Project / Program Management 

Job Level: Individual Contributor

Business Unit: Energy Delivery

Work Type: Hybrid

Job Location: Vacaville

Department Overview

FlightCore (11 FTEs) serves as PG&E Aviation's centralized flight coordination, scheduling, and dispatch organization, supporting all crewed and uncrewed aerial operations across PG&E's service territory. As the operational hub for aviation activities, FlightCore provides enterprise-wide oversight of aircraft utilization, mission prioritization, resource allocation, regulatory compliance, and operational risk management.

The department is responsible for coordinating thousands of aviation missions that support critical utility operations, including wildfire mitigation, electric and gas infrastructure inspections, emergency response, vegetation management, and system restoration efforts. FlightCore ensures safe, efficient, and compliant operations through real-time mission monitoring, flight planning, airspace coordination, and deconfliction of aerial resources operating throughout PG&E territory.

Working closely with internal business partners, aviation leadership, and external stakeholders, FlightCore enables the strategic deployment of aviation resources while maintaining the highest standards of safety, operational excellence, and service reliability.

Position Summary

The FlightCore Program Manager, Expert serves as a key business partner to the FlightCore Manager, providing strategic planning, operational analysis, governance, training, program management, and technology implementation support to advance FlightCore's mission as the central coordination hub for Aviation Services. Working closely with the FlightCore Manager, this role leads process improvement initiatives, develops performance metrics and operating standards, oversees workforce readiness programs, and serves as the primary business lead supporting the development, implementation, and continuous improvement of FlightCore's Flight Operations Management System.

Under the direction of the FlightCore Manager, this position helps translate organizational priorities into operational plans, system requirements, performance metrics, standardized processes, training programs, and continuous improvement initiatives that enable safe, efficient, and scalable aviation operations across helicopter, fixed-wing, and UAS programs. The role serves as FlightCore's primary program management resource and provides the analytical, governance, and change management support necessary to continuously improve operational performance, technology adoption, and customer service.

This position is hybrid, working from your remote office and your assigned work location based on business needs or company requirements. The assigned work location will be within the PG&E Service Territory and will be agreed upon by the successful candidate and hiring leader.

PG&E is providing the full salary/pay range for this position. The actual amount paid to an individual will be based on multiple factors, including, but not limited to, internal equity, specific skills, education, licenses or certifications, experience, market value, and geographic location. The range to reasonably expect will be around the minimum and the midpoint. The final decision will be made on a case-by-case basis related to the factors above. This job is also eligible to participate in PG&E’s discretionary incentive compensation programs.

Bay Area Min: $129,000

Bay Area Mid: $168,000

Bay Area Max: $207,000

Job Responsibilities

Operational Planning & Resource Management

• Analyze operational demand, aircraft utilization, and resource capacity to support efficient mission execution.
• Develop business cases and recommendations that improve operational effectiveness, customer service, and resource utilization.
• Partner with the FlightCore Manager to support strategic planning and operational readiness initiatives.
• Monitor operational trends and recommend actions to improve service delivery and performance.

Program Governance & Performance Management

• Establish and maintain FlightCore performance metrics, operational scorecards, dashboards, and reporting tools.
• Develop executive reports, presentations, and operational reviews for Aviation leadership.
• Facilitate governance meetings and track strategic initiatives, action items, and leadership commitments.
• Monitor program performance and recommend corrective actions and improvement opportunities.
• Support development of long-range goals and operational objectives.

Flight Operations Management System Strategy & Implementation

• Serve as the primary business lead supporting the FlightCore Manager for the development, implementation, and continuous enhancement of FlightCore's Flight Operations Management System.
• Partner with software vendors, Aviation leadership, FlightCore personnel, and stakeholders to identify business needs and operational requirements.
• Lead requirements gathering, business process mapping, workflow design, and operational use-case development.
• Translate Aviation business needs into functional requirements, user stories, testing criteria, and implementation plans.
• Coordinate system testing, user acceptance testing (UAT), issue resolution, and deployment readiness activities.
• Develop implementation, training, and change management strategies that drive successful adoption across Aviation Services.
• Monitor project milestones, risks, dependencies, budgets, and performance metrics associated with system development.
• Drive continuous improvement and future enhancements that improve scheduling, dispatch, documentation, reporting, compliance tracking, resource management, and operational visibility.
• Serve as the primary liaison between FlightCore and software vendors to ensure business objectives are met and operational requirements are incorporated into system development.

Process Improvement & Technology Enablement

• Lead process improvement initiatives that improve safety, efficiency, quality, and customer experience.
• Identify and implement opportunities for workflow automation and technology enhancements.
• Support implementation of scheduling, dispatch, reporting, analytics, and operational technology solutions.
• Analyze business processes and recommend scalable solutions.
• Drive continuous improvement efforts that reduce inefficiencies and improve operational consistency.
• Support advancement of FlightCore's digital transformation roadmap through implementation of technology and automation solutions.
• Identify opportunities to reduce manual work, improve data quality, and enhance operational visibility.

Training, Standards & Workforce Readiness

• Develop and maintain FlightCore operating procedures, job standards, training materials, operating manuals, and knowledge repositories.
• Lead onboarding, qualification, and recurring training programs for FlightCore personnel.
• Establish knowledge management frameworks that support workforce continuity and succession planning.
• Ensure consistent adoption of FlightCore standards, policies, and best practices.
• Partner with the FlightCore Manager to identify workforce development opportunities and capability gaps.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Partner with Helicopter Operations, UAS Operations, Aerial Survey, Safety, and support organizations to ensure coordinated mission execution.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
• Serve as a liaison between FlightCore and supported functional areas to improve communication and service delivery.
• Facilitate collaboration across Aviation Services programs to improve operational outcomes.

Core Values

• Communicate with all coworkers and partners with PG&E Purpose, Virtues and Stands at the forefront. Imbodies; trustworthiness, empathy, curiosity, tenacity, nimbleness and is an owner in service of PG&E Stands:

• • Everyone and everything is always safe
  • Catastrophic wildfires shall stop
  • It is enjoyable to work with and for PG&E
  • Clean and resilient energy for all
  • Our work shall create prosperity for all customers and investors

• Executes work with inclusivity and fosters a speak up environment.

Safety & Compliance

• Support Aviation's Safety Management System (SMS) and continuous improvement efforts.
• Ensure FlightCore processes align with regulatory, company, and operational requirements.
• Support risk identification, corrective action tracking, and operational learning initiatives.
• Promote a culture of safety, accountability, and operational excellence

Qualifications

Qualifications:

Work for Warriors is a no-cost employment program of the California Military Department for Service Members, Veterans, and military family members. The Veteran Staffing Consultant for Pacific Gas & Electric is Martin Rivera.