Senior Space Systems Program Manager

About the role

Spektrum supports apex purchasers (NATO, UN, EU and National Government and Defence) and their Tier 1 supplier ecosystem with specialist services, professional aerospace and defence sales, delivery, and operational subject‑matter expertise. The position supports Allied Command Transformation (ACT), NATO’s leading agent for change, and its Capability Development & Management Support (CDMS) program. ACT drives NATO’s capability development, training, lessons‑learned initiatives, and provides military support to policy development.

Role ID: ACT‑CDMS‑26‑02C‑LC52

Responsibilities

• Support the ACT Space Branch PMT in delivering, synchronizing, and implementing the NATO Space Capability Programme (CPP) across all tranches and associated projects.
• Coordinate programme execution activities between HQ SACT, SHAPE, AIRCOM Space Theatre Component (STC), NCIA, NSPA, nations, and commercial partners.
• Develop, refine, and implement programme artefacts, including project proposals, implementation plans, programme reviews, risk registers, dashboards, and capability roadmaps.
• Synchronize Operational Space Support (OSS), Space Domain Awareness (SDA) and Space Domain Coordination (SDC) capabilities and associated dependencies.
• Contribute to programme governance activities, PMT meetings, Bi‑SC coordination mechanisms, and senior‑leader engagements.
• Identify, analyze, and mitigate programme risks, interdependencies, and critical paths across all space projects.
• Support experimentation, wargaming, operational demonstrations and exercises, including Arctic Sentry, Cosmic Sentinel, and related activities.
• Coordinate with NCIA Architects, PMT SMEs, and national experts to maintain programme coherence and support architecture development and analysis of alternatives.
• Engage with industry and commercial space actors to implement the NATO Commercial Space Strategy.
• Produce reports, briefings, and recommendations for ACT Space Branch leadership.
• Travel to meetings and conferences within and outside NATO’s boundaries for up to 30 days per year.
• Perform additional tasks as required by the Contracting Officer’s Technical Representative (COTR) related to the LABOR category.

Essential Skills and Experience

• Minimum 5 years’ experience within NATO capability development, programme management, or defence acquisition.
• Demonstrated knowledge of NATO Space policy, CPP governance, and PMT processes.
• At least 3 years of operational C2 systems experience within the last 10 years, either as a military officer or civilian.
• At least 3 years in the last 10 years of sound knowledge of Capability Development and Management processes in the C2 area.
• Experience supporting multinational programmes and senior‑level governance bodies.
• Programme and project management experience in a complex, dynamic programme environment within the past 10 years.
• Working knowledge of configuration management methods and practices.
• Working knowledge of capability architectures.
• Experience with IBM Rational DOORS or equivalent (certificates preferred).

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Science (or related field) from an accredited university.

Language Proficiency

Advanced proficiency in English.

Location

Norfolk, VA, USA – On‑site work arrangement.

Contract Details

• Contract duration: January 2027 – December 2030.
• Security clearance: Valid National or NATO Secret personal security clearance.