Senior Program Manager I - Flatellite

Description

You will be the program authority for high-volume satellite production, owning output rate, yield, unit cost and the strategic decisions that shape a program from early prototype to full-rate production.

The role is based at the company's global headquarters in Long Beach, CA. It is hands-on and high ownership: the goal is hundreds of satellites built on schedule, on cost and on a learning curve that improves faster than competitors', with the production line depending on your decisions.

The company builds complete spacecraft, precision payloads and the components and subsystems that go into them, including solar panels, flight software, star trackers, optical systems, separation systems and radios. Its Space Systems team has supported more than 1,700 missions, including work for NASA, the Space Development Agency and the U.S. Space Force, and is expanding into new launch sites, missions and global markets.

Responsibilities

• Build and lead the team that takes satellites at volume from concept through qualification, full-rate production and flight.
• Own the technical roadmap that grows the team's core capabilities.
• Run several active programs at the same time, make architecture decisions with Chief Engineers, and resolve design-for-manufacturing, takt time, line-of-balance and rate-readiness versus reliability trade-offs.
• Step into the most serious line-threatening problems alongside the team when needed.
• Manage critical subcontracts and suppliers as strategic partners, protecting schedule and margin.
• Coordinate manufacturing, supply chain, integration and test, and clear blockers quickly so work keeps moving without loss of quality.
• Build a culture where people take sound risks, the best idea wins regardless of source, and a well-run failure is treated as a normal cost of speed.
• Coach and develop the next generation of program and team leaders.
• Serve as the main contact for assigned commercial constellation operators.
• Work with BD & Strategy on proposals and technical narratives for the next generation of constellation production.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in physics, mathematics, science or another technical discipline.
• 5+ years of experience managing aerospace programs.
• A record of taking a technical program, product or team from start to finish under real pressure, shown by what you have delivered rather than years served.
• Evidence of moving hardware and software from prototype into high-rate production, with measured gains in yield, throughput and cost.
• Working knowledge of takt time, line-of-balance, design-for-manufacturing and learning-curve economics.
• A history of spotting tooling, supply chain or yield risk and removing it before it slows production.
• U.S. citizenship, with the ability to obtain and maintain a security clearance.
• Nice to have: a proven approach for moving low-volume prototypes into full-rate production without weakening mission reliability.
• Nice to have: deep experience scaling satellite, aerospace or comparable complex hardware production.
• Nice to have: a track record of lowering unit cost at rate without sacrificing reliability.
• Nice to have: a Master's degree in engineering, operations or a related field.
• Nice to have: fluency in systems engineering, trade studies, interface control and requirements management, plus hands-on use of Jira, Confluence and ERP/MRP systems to keep program health visible.
• Nice to have: multiple program cycles or 8+ years in aerospace or defense. The hardest thing you have shipped counts for more than the number of years.

Conditions

Base pay range (California only): $125,300 - $187,850 USD.

Level and base salary are decided case by case, based on job-related knowledge and skills, education and experience.

Office US candidates must be a U.S. citizen, a lawful U.S. permanent resident, a refugee or asylee lawfully admitted to the U.S., or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State and/or Department of Commerce, as applicable, to comply with ITAR export rules.

Office New Zealand candidates must pass background checks, including nationality checks, before any offer, because the role requires eligibility to access ITAR-regulated equipment and data. You may be ineligible if you are not a citizen of Australia, Japan, New Zealand, Switzerland, the European Union or a NATO member country, or if you hold ineligible dual citizenship or nationality.

The role may involve long periods of sitting, standing, walking and computer work, and occasional exposure to moderate noise, dust and fumes in production areas.

Benefits

• Company stock as part of total compensation, giving you a direct stake in the company's success.
• Employee Stock Purchase Program with a 15% discount on company stock.
• Medical plans: HMO, PPO, and a zero-cost HDHP option with a company contribution to the HSA.
• Dental and vision coverage.
• Paid vacation and sick time, plus 11 paid holidays.
• Flexible spending and dependent care accounts.
• Paid parental leave.
• Disability and life insurance.
• 401(k) retirement plan with company match.
• Subsidized EV charging.
• Onsite fitness centers where available, and discounted gym memberships.
• Complimentary snacks and beverages.
• 50% employee discount on the company merchandise store, plus other employee discounts.