Sr. Manager, Program Management - Cost Plus Contracts

Lanteris Space is seeking an experienced program manager to lead the cost-plus accounting and reporting portion of a complex NASA development program, ensuring customer satisfaction, financial performance, and contractual compliance. This role is based in Palo Alto, CA, but may also be performed remotely within the U.S.

About the role

You will partner with NASA, internal teams, and company leadership to design, build, test, launch, and deliver a spacecraft that meets all customer requirements. Initially, you will support the Program Manager in executing cost-plus accounting and reporting for an existing NASA program while expanding the program through justifiable contract modifications. As the organization grows, you may assume broader leadership responsibilities, including serving as Advanced Program Manager for strategic new business opportunities with both Cost-Plus and Firm-Fixed-Price (FFP) contracts.

The ideal candidate combines strong program execution leadership with business acumen, government contracting expertise, and the ability to develop trusted customer relationships that drive mission success and business growth.

Responsibilities

• Lead execution of cost-plus contract work, ensuring achievement of technical, cost, schedule, quality, and customer satisfaction objectives.
• Drive program performance through disciplined risk management and issue resolution.
• Provide leadership across matrixed, cross-functional teams including Engineering, Factory Operations, Finance, Contracts, Supply Chain, Quality, and Business Development to meet customer requirements within baseline budget.
• Manage program technical baseline and contractual requirements, ensuring all obligations are satisfied.
• Create and manage a program risk management plan, including technical, cost, and schedule risks with mitigation plans and assigned leaders.
• Serve as the primary focal point for customer representatives, exhibiting professionalism and leadership.
• Ensure integrity, responsiveness, and ethical business practices in all customer dealings.
• Own the financial performance of the assigned program, including revenue forecasting, funding management, Estimates at Completion (EACs), resource planning, and program profitability.
• Partner with Finance to develop annual operating plans, staffing strategies, financial forecasts, and mitigation plans for cost and schedule risks.
• Monitor program performance metrics and provide executive leadership with timely assessments of financial health, execution status, and business risks.
• Balance customer objectives with sound business practices to maximize long-term program value.
• Ensure program execution complies with the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR), NASA FAR Supplement (NFS), contractual requirements, and company policies.
• Oversee preparation and submission of required contractual reports, financial reporting, program deliverables, and executive communications.
• Lead contract modifications, award fee activities, audits, corrective actions, and contract closeout efforts.
• Partner with Contracts, Legal, and Finance to effectively manage contractual obligations and business risk.

Requirements

• Must be a U.S. citizen.
• Bachelor’s degree in an engineering or STEM discipline. A master’s degree may count as two years of experience. An additional four years of experience may be substituted for a degree.
• 10 years of experience, including program management of large-scale engineering/manufacturing programs.
• Experience managing Cost-Plus government contracts (CPFF, CPAF, CPIF) with responsibility for technical, financial, and contractual performance.
• Knowledge of the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR), NASA FAR Supplement (NFS), and government contracting practices.
• Experience managing program financials, including forecasting, funding management, Estimates at Completion (EACs), staffing, and resource planning.
• Experience building trusted customer relationships with U.S. Government agencies.
• Ability to travel approximately 10-15% in support of customer, supplier, production, or business development meetings.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree or higher in Physics, Engineering, Business Administration, or equivalent.
• Knowledge of commercial space architectures, missions, systems, requirements, and acquisition methods.
• Experience leading and delivering software development projects.
• Experience with USG proposal development (e.g., color reviews), program execution, and contract change implementation.
• Experience scoping, winning, and profitably leading USG or commercial programs.
• Complex risk management experience with demonstrated results.
• Project Management Professional (PMP) certification.

Pay

• Colorado: $142,000.00 - $236,000.00 annually.
• New Jersey: $142,000.00 - $236,000.00 annually.
• Delaware: $142,000.00 - $236,000.00 annually.
• Washington, DC metropolitan area: $156,000.00 - $260,000.00 annually.
• California: $163,000.00 - $271,000.00 annually.
• All other states: Geographic cost of labor will determine the salary range.

Starting pay is determined based on job-related factors, including experience, qualifications, knowledge, skills, geographic work location, and market conditions. Candidates with the minimum necessary qualifications should not expect the upper end of the range. This position is also incentive-eligible, with targets based on contribution, company performance, and individual results.

Benefits

Lanteris Space offers a comprehensive package of benefits, including paid time off, health and welfare insurance, and a 401(k) for eligible employees. More details will be shared with candidates as they progress in the recruitment process.