Technical Program Manager, Space Systems
$135,000–$180,000 year
On-siteWestminster, Colorado, United States
Job Summary
Lead execution of the Vantage satellite system from system design through Initial Operating Capability, integrating engineering, manufacturing, suppliers, launch preparation, mission operations, and customer stakeholders into a single executable program. Coordinate internal engineering organizations and external partners responsible for spacecraft development, payload integration, ground segment integration, and system commissioning. Partner with engineering leaders to ensure technical decisions, schedules, risks, and operational activities remain aligned to mission objectives while managing complex technical schedules, dependencies, and critical paths. Identify technical, schedule, and programmatic risks early and drive effective mitigation plans to resolve issues before they impact delivery. Establish program priorities and maintain alignment across internal teams and external partners to ensure technical, operational, and business objectives remain synchronized.
Required Qualifications
- U.S. Person status (U.S. citizen, permanent resident, Asylee, or Refugee)
- U.S. Citizen
- Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Physics, Computer Science, or a related technical discipline
- 10+ years of technical program management, systems engineering, or engineering leadership experience delivering complex aerospace or high-reliability hardware systems
- Demonstrated experience managing development and execution of spacecraft, satellites, launch vehicle systems, or similarly complex multidisciplinary engineering programs
- Experience leading cross-functional technical programs spanning multiple engineering organizations and external suppliers
- Strong understanding of spacecraft development lifecycles from design through integration, environmental test, launch, commissioning, and operations
- Experience coordinating hardware, software, systems engineering, manufacturing, integration and test, mission operations, and customer stakeholders
- Experience managing external contractors, subsystem vendors, and strategic suppliers
- Demonstrated ability to identify technical, schedule, and programmatic risks early and drive effective mitigation plans
- Experience managing complex technical schedules, dependencies, critical paths, and program milestones
- Familiarity with spacecraft integration and test campaigns, launch site activities, and mission readiness reviews
- Understanding of ground segment integration, space-to-ground interfaces, mission planning, and operational readiness activities
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to communicate effectively across engineering teams, executives, customers, and external partners
- Demonstrated ownership mentality with a history of driving programs to successful completion in fast-paced, execution-focused environments
- Ability to travel as required to customer locations, suppliers, integration facilities, launch sites, and operational centers
- Active U.S. Secret security clearance or ability to obtain and maintain one
Desired Qualifications
- Experience delivering complete space missions from concept through Initial Operating Capability
- Experience managing development of remote sensing, Earth observation, ISR, or other exquisite spacecraft and payload systems
- Experience coordinating spacecraft bus development, payload integration, and system-level verification across multiple organizations
- Experience integrating commercial and government-furnished equipment (CFE/GFE) into operational space systems
- Experience leading development and verification of space-to-ground interfaces across spacecraft, communications infrastructure, mission operations, and ground software
- Experience planning and executing Launch and Early Orbit Operations (LEOP) and on-orbit commissioning campaigns
- Experience preparing organizations for operational readiness, mission rehearsals, and sustained on-orbit operations
- Familiarity with launch vehicle integration activities and launch campaign execution
- Working knowledge of systems engineering practices including interface management, technical baselines, configuration management, verification planning, and risk management
- Experience supporting U.S. Government space programs or National Security Space missions
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