Technical Program Manager, Payloads

Description

The company works in space, which the military treats as a warfighting domain. It builds autonomous spacecraft, advanced payloads, mission software, and space-based interceptors that help the U.S. and its Allies secure space and counter threats there.

The team is looking for technical program managers who enjoy building systems that protect space operations, and the role sits where hardware development meets program leadership.

This role centers on payloads. You will own program execution for payload development and integration, from requirements through design, qualification, production, integration, and operational deployment, and you will create the structure, clarity, and accountability that keep teams aligned in a fast-moving, uncertain environment.

Responsibilities

• Lead planning, execution, and delivery for payload development and integration programs from start to finish.
• Set delivery plans, manage scope and milestones, and hold engineering and cross-functional teams accountable for results.
• Run vertical integration projects that connect payloads with spacecraft systems, flight software, ground systems, manufacturing, test, launch, and mission operations.
• Act as the main delivery contact among payload engineering, systems engineering, production, security, and program office stakeholders.
• Turn mission and product requirements into practical technical plans with engineering and program leadership.
• Coordinate the full payload lifecycle, covering requirements, architecture, design, procurement, build, test, qualification, acceptance, and delivery.
• Define and control interfaces between payloads and the wider space system, spotting gaps, assumptions, and integration risks early.
• Take part in technical and architecture discussions to make sure decisions fit mission needs, timelines, security requirements, manufacturability, and reliability.
• Resolve dependencies across engineering, production, security, test, launch, and program office teams.
• Keep an accurate, up-to-date dependency map, integrated master schedule, risk register, and decision log for your programs.
• Plan integration and test work, including development, environmental, qualification, acceptance, end-to-end, and operational readiness testing.
• Identify and handle risks, tradeoffs, and blockers early, and escalate with recommended decisions when schedule, scope, performance, or resources drift.
• Monitor program health using milestone performance, schedule predictability, technical maturity, defect trends, and test and release readiness.
• Maintain dashboards and status reports so stakeholders have timely, accurate information for decisions.
• Set up regular rhythms such as technical interchange meetings, program and risk reviews, integration planning, and executive updates.
• Push continuous improvement in program execution, development processes, and cross-team collaboration.
• Create structure and alignment in situations with high ambiguity.

Requirements

• Required: At least 5 years in technical program management, systems engineering, hardware development, or a related technical field.
• Required: Understanding of the hardware development process and experience taking complex hardware or aerospace systems through development, prototype, test, production, and integration.
• Required: Solid technical grasp of space or defense systems such as satellites, spacecraft payloads, sensors, communications systems, missile defense, rockets, engines, or related technology.
• Required: Experience running cross-functional programs that involve hardware, software, systems engineering, manufacturing, test, and operations.
• Required: Experience with system integration, interface management, verification and validation, or end-to-end test planning.
• Required: Experience with Jira, Confluence, and other program or engineering tools.
• Required: Deep familiarity with Agile, Scrum, Kanban, or hybrid development methods.
• Required: Excellent written and verbal communication with both technical and non-technical audiences.
• Required: Experience on classified Department of War programs or other relevant national security programs.
• Required: An active Secret clearance.
• Required: Ability to work well in a fast-paced, highly collaborative setting with shifting priorities and incomplete information.
• Preferred: Background in aerospace, electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, systems engineering, computer science, or a related technical field.
• Preferred: Experience managing payload development or spacecraft payload integration.
• Preferred: Experience with spacecraft-to-payload, payload-to-ground, or other mission-system interfaces.
• Preferred: Experience with integration and test campaigns, environmental qualification, hardware-in-the-loop testing, or end-to-end mission testing.
• Preferred: Experience managing suppliers, subcontractors, or outside technical partners.
• Preferred: Experience with Power BI or other data visualization and program analytics tools.
• Preferred: PMP, Agile, or another relevant program management certification.
• Preferred: Experience in a cleared, classified, or export-controlled environment.
• Preferred: TS/SCI clearance.

Conditions

Base salary is $120,000 to $175,000.

Equity and benefits are offered, including health, dental, and vision coverage, HRA or HSA options, PTO, paid holidays, a 401(k), and parental leave.

Your level and base salary are set case by case, based on job-related knowledge and skills, education, and experience.

The role is based in Denver, CO.

Because of U.S. Government export rules for space technology, including ITAR, you must be a U.S. citizen, a lawful permanent resident of the U.S., a protected individual under 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.

Fixed-term and temporary candidates should not apply.

The company is committed to equal employment opportunity on any basis protected by applicable state and federal law and will provide accommodations on request.

Benefits

• Healthcare: 100% company-paid medical, dental, and vision coverage for you and your dependents, with HSA or HRA options.
• Time off: Flexible Time Off for exempt employees, up to 25 days of accrued PTO for non-exempt employees, 12 paid holidays, parental leave, and sick leave.
• Meals: Daily catered lunch and unlimited snacks for in-office employees.
• Other perks: 401(k) plan, fitness reimbursement, and Dog Fridays.
• Equity: Equity is part of total compensation, so you can share in the company's success.