Engineering Program Manager – RF Structures & Systems

Program Leadership & Execution

• Lead end-to-end program execution for RF structures & systems development, including planning, schedules, cost tracking, and risk management.
• Cook up cross-functional engineering teams (mechanical, structures, manufacturing, test).
• Drive milestone reviews (SRR, PDR, CDR, TRR) and ensure technical and programmatic readiness.
• Serve as the main point of contact for customer communications and deliverables.
• Lead end-to-end requirements management activities: translate customer needs into traceable system requirements and develop comprehensive verification plans and artifacts.

Technical Ownership – RF Structures & Systems

• Guide system architecture decisions and strategy for developing new RF payloads, antennas, and deployable RF structures.
• Provide program-level oversight for the design, analysis, prototyping, and qualification of deployable RF structures.
• Support RF system modeling, link budgets, system level performance assessments, and integration with spacecraft bus components.
• Work with structural and mechanical engineers to ensure alignment between RF performance requirements and deployable structure design.
• Review and approve engineering documentation, design analyses, test plans, and test reports.
• Collaborate with structural and composite teams to ensure manufacturability and repeatable build processes.
• Support integration and test of antennas, materials, mechanisms, and RF subsystems, including environmental and functional testing.

Cross-Functional Collaboration & Continuous Improvement

• Partner closely with manufacturing, quality, and supply chain to ensure smooth production and delivery.
• Identify program inefficiencies and lead continuous improvement initiatives.
• Mentor engineers and contribute to the development of internal engineering standards and best practices.
• Support sales activities including customer requirements discovery, concept and project planning, project estimating, and cost support.
• Contribute to company outreach activities including marketing and lead generation.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Systems Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related field.
• 5+ years of experience in spacecraft systems or hardware development.
• Proven experience leading multi-disciplinary aerospace hardware programs.
• Experience with space-qualified hardware and environmental test campaigns.
• Excellent communication skills and ability to coordinate across technical and programmatic domains.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment with high levels of ownership and accountability.
• Strong understanding of RF antenna systems, link budgets, RF architectures, or deployable RF structures.
• Experience with deployable antennas, mechanisms, or structural-RF integrated systems.
• Familiarity with composites or precision structures.
• PMP certification or formal project management training.
• Experience with NASA, DoD, or commercial space qualification processes.
• Background in small-company, rapid-development environments.
• Flexible and hybrid work schedules (two or more days in office per week).

Benefits

• Comprehensive benefits package including Medical, Dental, Vision, Short-Term Disability, Long-Term Disability, Life, and AD&D insurance.
• Opterus pays 100% of employees’ premiums and 70% of dependents’ premiums.
• 401K matching up to 4%.
• 9 paid holidays.

Pay

• Engineering Program Manager Level II: $110,000-$135,000/year
• Engineering Program Manager Level III: $130,000-$160,000/year