Technical Program Manager, Space Systems

About the role

Vantor is seeking a Technical Program Manager to lead the development and operation of the Pulse spacecraft constellation. This role requires strong engineering judgment, exceptional execution, and the ability to coordinate complex, multidisciplinary development efforts.

Responsibilities

• Lead execution of the Pulse spacecraft constellation development roadmap from concept through sustained on-orbit operations.
• Cook up activities across spacecraft, payload, avionics, software, GNC, electrical, mechanical, thermal, manufacturing, mission operations, quality, and supply chain teams.
• Develop and maintain integrated technical schedules, milestones, and program execution plans.
• Drive cross-functional issue resolution while balancing technical performance, schedule, cost, and mission objectives.
• Identify program risks early and lead mitigation planning before they impact execution.
• Prepare technical and programmatic status for engineering leadership and executive reviews.
• Support design reviews, integration milestones, launch readiness, commissioning, and operational readiness activities.
• Work closely with engineering leadership to prioritize development activities and remove execution bottlenecks.
• Ensure critical interfaces between spacecraft, payloads, ground systems, and operations remain synchronized throughout development.
• Foster a culture of accountability, technical rigor, ownership, and rapid execution across the program.

Requirements

• Must be a U.S. Citizen.
• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Physics, Computer Science, or a related technical discipline.
• 8+ years of experience leading complex aerospace, spacecraft, satellite, or other multidisciplinary hardware development programs.
• Demonstrated experience managing technical programs spanning multiple engineering disciplines throughout the product lifecycle.
• Experience supporting spacecraft development, integration and test, launch campaigns, or mission operations.
• Strong understanding of spacecraft subsystems, system integration, verification, and qualification activities.
• Proven ability to manage complex schedules, technical dependencies, risks, and execution across multiple engineering organizations.
• Experience balancing technical trade studies, schedule, cost, and programmatic priorities.
• Ability to communicate effectively with engineers, program leadership, customers, and executive stakeholders.
• Proven ownership mentality with the ability to independently drive programs to successful completion.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience developing or operating LEO small satellite or proliferated constellation programs.
• Direct experience with spacecraft bus development, payload integration, or constellation deployment.
• Experience supporting launch integration, commissioning, and early orbit operations.
• Familiarity with spacecraft development standards, mission assurance, and flight qualification processes.
• Experience working with commercial launch providers and external mission partners.
• Background coordinating cross-functional engineering organizations in fast-paced product development environments.
• Experience with Agile program execution, integrated master schedules, Jira, Confluence, Microsoft Project, or equivalent planning tools.
• Ability to translate complex technical challenges into actionable execution plans.
• Experience supporting customer demonstrations, operational readiness reviews, and mission milestones.
• Advanced degree in Engineering or a related technical discipline.

Pay & Benefits

The starting pay for this role will fall within the listed range and will be based on factors such as experience, qualifications, skills, location, and market conditions. Candidates who meet the minimum requirements for the role should not expect to receive compensation at the top of the range. The base pay for this position within Colorado is: $135,000.00 - $180,000.00 - $198,000.00 annually. For all other states, we use geographic cost of labor as an input to develop market-driven ranges for our roles, and as such, each location where we hire may have a different range.

Vantor offers a competitive total rewards package that goes beyond the standard, including a robust 401(k) with company match, mental health resources, and unique perks like student loan repayment assistance, adoption reimbursement and pet insurance to support all aspects of your life. You can find more information on our benefits at: https://www.Vantor.com/careers.