Technical Program Manager

About the role

Sphinx builds software to solve complex national security problems in Space. Founded by engineers and technologists with deep experience across commercial and defense technology, we are dedicated to improving the outdated and insecure technology used by America's service members.

Responsibilities

• Translate customer requirements, mission needs, and program objectives into actionable technical priorities and engineering deliverables across multiple security classification levels, network environments, and mission stakeholders.
• Cook up execution across multiple software engineering, cybersecurity, product, QA, and other multidisciplinary teams to ensure successful delivery of mission capabilities.
• Drive program planning, milestone tracking, and execution coordination while balancing technical priorities, dependencies, and delivery commitments.
• Manage technical risks, dependencies, requirements, and constraints throughout the program lifecycle while partnering with Software Architects and Chief Engineers on program planning, technical execution, major milestone reviews (SRR, PDR, CDR), and across-functional readiness activities for Engineering Review Boards (ERBs) and Technical Review Boards (TRBs).
• Support mission planning, system integration, testing, deployment, and operational readiness activities.
• Facilitate seamless communication, delivery coordination, and technical alignment across engineering teams, program leadership, customers, external platform providers, and embedded subcontractor partners.
• Support proposal efforts, technical growth initiatives, and customer engagements.
• Drive continuous process improvement and help teams execute efficiently in Agile development environments.
• Provide leadership and mentorship while fostering collaboration across multidisciplinary teams.

Requirements

• 7+ years of experience supporting space, satellite, ground, mission, or software-intensive systems.
• 3+ years of experience managing technical programs, projects, or complex engineering efforts.
• 3+ years of experience working directly with U.S. Government customers, stakeholders, or mission partners.
• 2+ years of experience leading technical teams, engineering efforts, or cross-functional initiatives.
• 2+ years of experience mentoring, coaching, or developing engineers, technical professionals, or cross-functional team members.
• Experience translating customer requirements and mission objectives into executable technical roadmaps and deliverables.
• Strong knowledge of software development lifecycles, systems engineering principles, and technical program execution.
• Experience managing technical schedules, dependencies, risks, and stakeholder expectations.
• Comfortable working across engineering, product, cybersecurity, program management organizations, including embedded subcontractor and white-badged team environments.
• Experience operating in Agile development environments and coordinating multiple concurrent priorities.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills with the ability to engage both technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• Experience supporting mission-critical systems in secure or classified environments.
• Familiarity with Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) concepts and methodologies.
• Active Secret clearance and eligibility to obtain and maintain TS/SCI access.

Bonus points

• Experience with satellite ground systems, command and control, mission planning, mission operations, or space-domain awareness platforms.
• Experience supporting defense, intelligence, or space programs.
• Experience with cloud-based architectures, distributed systems, or modern software platforms.
• Experience with Agile program execution, DevSecOps practices, or software delivery pipelines.
• Experience applying MBSE tools and methodologies in operational programs.
• Familiarity with interface management, requirements traceability, and systems integration activities.
• Experience supporting Authority to Operate (ATO), RMF, cybersecurity accreditation, or compliance efforts.
• Experience supporting proposal development, capture efforts, or customer technical engagements.
• Experience coordinating execution across multiple engineering organizations and external partners.
• Familiarity with open architecture standards such as OMS, UCI, or similar frameworks.

Qualifications

• Must be a U.S. citizen or national, U.S. lawful permanent resident, refugee under 8 U.S.C. 1157, or asylee under 8 U.S.C. 1158, or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.
• Must be able to obtain and maintain a U.S. TS/SCI security clearance.

Benefits

• Competitive salary
• Meaningful equity ownership
• Profit sharing
• Employer 401(k) contribution
• 100% employer-covered medical, dental, and vision insurance for you and your dependents.

Location

This role can be based out of Chantilly, VA, Colorado Springs, CO, El Segundo, CA, or Seal Beach, CA. This position requires approximately 25% travel, depending on program needs and where the selected candidate resides.

Compensation

This role is between $145,000 and $208,000 base salary.