Senior Program Manager

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.

About the role

We are seeking a Senior Program Manager who has put hardware in orbit and is ready to do it again, faster and leaner. This role is for a senior technologist-turned-program-manager: someone with deep roots in systems engineering, spacecraft I&T, or instrument development who has grown into full technical, cost, and schedule ownership of a space mission. You've led programs through early architectures and trades, major development reviews (SRR, PDR, CDR, etc.), and flight. You know how to lead cross-functional teams of 30 to 200+ people, engage credibly in technical reviews, and make hard trade-offs under real constraints.

Responsibilities

• Own full technical, cost, and schedule accountability for spacecraft and subsystem development
• Lead cross-functional delivery across engineering, manufacturing, supply chain, integration, and test from early development through launch and commissioning
• Develop and maintain integrated program plans, IMS, milestones, and delivery commitments to internal stakeholders and external customers
• Identify program risks, dependencies, and resource constraints — and drive mitigation to closure, not just documentation
• Own customer engagements, milestone reviews (SRR, PDR, CDR, etc.), and internal program reporting
• Bring execution discipline and mission assurance rigor to a fast-paced, rapidly evolving commercial environment
• Contribute to proposal development and business capture as the company scales its program portfolio

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree or higher in engineering, physics, or a closely related technical discipline
• 7+ years of project or program management experience on satellite or spacecraft missions, including at least one that reached launch or on-orbit operations
• Technical depth in systems engineering, I&T, or instrument development — enough to engage meaningfully with your engineering team
• Proven ability to lead cross-functional, hardware-intensive programs through formal government or commercial milestone reviews
• Strong experience managing schedules, budgets, and execution trade-offs under real cost and schedule constraints
• Ability to operate effectively in a mission-driven, high-accountability environment where outcomes are visible to the customer from day one
• To comply with U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including ITAR, applicants must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident, protected individual per 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State

Nice-to-Have Experience

• Experience in rapid development, prototype-to-production, or non-traditional acquisition environments
• Proposal development experience — writing or managing competitive responses to government AOs or RFPs
• Familiarity with mission assurance standards, ITAR/export control requirements, and national security mission contexts
• Active U.S. Top Secret or TS/SCI clearance, or clear eligibility to obtain one

Benefits

• Competitive salary, equity, and comprehensive benefits including medical, dental, vision, generous leave, HSA, 401(k) matching, and equity sharing

Pay

Base Salary: $180,000 to $225,000. 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.

Location

Rockville, MD or Hawthorne, CA