Senior Technical Program Manager

You will lead the delivery of next-generation infrared satellites, acting as the single accountable owner for cost, schedule, and technical performance. You'll manage a multi-disciplinary internal team, multiple subcontractors, and a critical-path vendor base for focal plane arrays, integrated detector cooler assemblies, cryocoolers, and optics, spanning the full program lifecycle from preliminary design through on-orbit demonstration. You'll serve as the primary day-to-day customer interface, author or approve customer deliverables, coordinate with vendors and subcontractors, and partner with technical leads to drive decision-making and resolve cross-functional issues while ensuring compliance with contracting and export control requirements.

Responsibilities

• Own the integrated master schedule, cost baseline, and risk register
• Drive the program through preliminary and critical design reviews, sub-scale lab demonstration assembly, environmental test, and final reporting
• Manage the boundary between IR&D-funded and customer funded work to ensure each stays within scope, cost ceiling, and period of performance
• Serve as the primary day-to-day customer interface, leading kickoff, design reviews, demonstration briefings, and quarterly status reporting
• Author or approve all customer deliverables including status reports, design review packages, cost reduction and manufacturability analyses, test plans, and the program final report
• Partner with Capture and Business Development teams on transition strategy
• Manage program subcontracts for mission data processing / algorithm development and optical design
• Coordinate with critical-path vendors for focal plane arrays, IDCAs, and cryocoolers across different funded long-lead procurements
• Ensure subcontractor cost stays within applicable funding limits and that subcontract scope, cost, and schedule remain aligned with prime contract commitments
• Partner with the program Principal Investigator and technical leads to drive technical decision-making
• Own and actively work the program risk register, including supply chain, integration, and demonstration-event risks
• Drive resolution of cross-functional issues quickly and escalate to functional and program leadership when needed
• Ensure all program execution complies with contracting requirements, including U.S.-only performance, ITAR/EAR export controls, technical data rights, and CUI handling
• Coordinate with Contracts and Finance on subcontract changes, invoicing, and program financial reporting

Requirements

• 8+ years of professional experience in program management of complex technical system development, deployment, and operations
• 5+ years of hands-on technical experience, preferably in an engineering or similar capacity
• Direct experience with space, defense, or aerospace industry program planning and execution
• Demonstrated experience managing programs with multiple subcontractors and a complex critical-path supply chain
• Prior experience executing rapid-acquisition contract vehicles for government customers, with familiarity navigating the government program lifecycle, technical data rights, and CDRL management
• Ability to get U.S. Top Secret clearance
• U.S. Citizenship required (program is ITAR-restricted)
• Excellent written communication skills
• TS / SCI clearance preferred
• Direct experience working with SDA, USSF Space Systems Command, MDA, or NRO customer offices preferred
• Prior experience on a missile warning, missile tracking, OPIR, or HBTSS-class space-based IR program preferred
• Working knowledge of MWIR sensor architectures, focal plane arrays, IDCAs, and cryocooler integration preferred
• Experience managing programs through environmental test campaigns (TVAC, vibration, EMI/EMC) preferred
• PMP certification or equivalent program management credentials preferred

Benefits

• Equity compensation
• Medical insurance
• Dental insurance
• Vision insurance
• 401k retirement plan
• Short & long term disability insurance
• Life insurance
• Three weeks paid vacation for new employees
• 12 paid holidays
• Unlimited sick time
• Paid parental leave