Technical Program Manager, Spacecraft Development
Summary
Leads full technical, cost, and schedule accountability for spacecraft and payload development programs, coordinating cross-functional teams in systems engineering, avionics, propulsion, and more from concept through launch and operations.
Quantum Space is redefining mobility and maneuverability in space. Our high-mobility spacecraft platforms support national security, civil, and commercial missions with unmatched flexibility and propulsion capability. We build fast and iterate quickly.
Who We're Looking For
We are seeking a Senior Technical Program Manager, Spacecraft Development who combines deep aerospace technical expertise with exceptional program execution leadership. This role is ideal for a systems engineer, spacecraft integration lead, or mission architect who has grown into full technical, cost, and schedule ownership of complex spacecraft or payload programs. As a Senior Technical Program Manager, you will lead mission execution from early concept development through launch and on-orbit operations while serving as a key technical interface with customers and internal stakeholders.
Where You'll Make an Impact
- Own full technical, cost, and schedule accountability for spacecraft, payload, and subsystem development programs
- Define, mature, and negotiate mission concepts, including:
- Payload integration studies
- Mission analysis
- System architecture trades
- Concept of operations development
- Lead cross-functional execution across:
- Systems engineering
- Vehicle engineering
- Avionics
- Software
- Propulsion
- Thermal
- AI&T
- Manufacturing and supply chain
- Develop and maintain:
- Integrated master schedules (IMS)
- Program plans and milestones
- Technical documentation and interface requirements
- Spacecraft capability and mission architecture documentation
- Serve as the primary customer-facing technical and programmatic lead during:
- Early mission formulation
- Technical interchange meetings (TIMs/TEMs)
- SRR, PDR, CDR, and milestone reviews
- Proposal and capture activities
- Lead technical negotiations and ensure customer requirements align with Quantum Space capabilities
- Identify program risks, dependencies, and resource constraints and drive mitigation plans to closure
- Support mission-level engineering activities including:
- Requirements development
- Payload-to-bus compatibility
- Architecture studies
- Mission assurance planning
- Contribute to proposal development, business capture, and growth of the company’s mission portfolio
- Bring execution discipline and mission assurance rigor to a fast-paced, rapidly evolving commercial space environment
What It Takes
- Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Physics, or a related technical discipline
- 10+ years of experience leading spacecraft, satellite, or aerospace development programs
- Direct experience designing, integrating, testing, or operating spacecraft or space systems
- Strong technical background in:
- Systems engineering
- Spacecraft integration & test (I&T)
- Mission architecture
- Payload integration
- Experience leading hardware-intensive aerospace programs through formal milestone reviews
- Strong understanding of:
- Spacecraft subsystems
- Space system architectures
- Mission modeling and simulation
- Program execution under cost and schedule constraints
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills
- Ability to engage credibly with customers, executives, and engineering teams
- Ability to travel up to 25%
Nice-To-Have Experience
- Master’s degree or higher in Engineering or related discipline
- 15+ years of aerospace or space industry experience
- Experience supporting National Security Space programs or government customers
- Experience with:
- Satellite constellation analysis and simulation
- Electro-optical, RF, infrared, communications, or PNT payloads
- Mission assurance and export control requirements (ITAR)
- Rapid development or prototype-to-production environments
- Proposal development and government capture activities
- Familiarity with national security ground systems, networking, tasking, planning, and mission operations architectures
- Active U.S. Top Secret or TS/SCI clearance, or eligibility to obtain one
What You’ll Get
- Ownership – Leadership ownership of high-visibility national security and commercial space missions
- Exposure – Opportunity to help shape the future of Quantum Space as we scale from prototype to production
- Growth – Build trusted partnerships across leadership, engineering, and business teams. Opportunities for training and development.
- Compensation – Competitive salary, equity, and comprehensive benefits including medical, dental, vision, generous leave, HSA, 401(k) matching, and equity sharing
Location: Rockville, MD or Hawthorne, CA
Base Salary:
The salary range for this role is an estimate based on a wide range of compensation factors. Actual salary offer may vary based on (but not limited to) work experience, education and/or training, critical skills, and/or business considerations. Highly competitive equity grants are included in the majority of full time offers; and are considered part of Quantum Space's total compensation package.
Additional Requirements
To comply with U.S. Government space technology export regulations, applicants must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident, protected individual under 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.
Apply now and help build the next generation of spacecraft.