Director, Program Management

$250k to $270k

IrvineFull-timePosted Oct 9, 2026

Against the Irvine typical range

Job description

Director, Program Management At ICEYE, we design, build and operate the largest fleet of Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) satellites in the world. Using advanced technology, our constellation collects topographical data about any location on Earth, day or night, through any weather conditions. Headquartered in Southern California, our customers are society’s heroes – intelligence professionals, warfighters, first responders, and scientific researchers.

As a trusted mission partner, the United States and its allies depend on us for critical information when it matters most. Role Description At ICEYE, we design, build, and operate the largest fleet of Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) satellites in the world. Using advanced technology, our constellation collects topographical data about any location on Earth, day or night, through any weather conditions.

Headquartered in Southern California, our customers are society’s heroes – intelligence professionals, warfighters, first responders, and scientific researchers. As a trusted mission partner, the United States and its allies depend on us for critical information when it matters most. The Director, Program Management (People Leader) is a strategic role responsible for elevating program management maturity and driving cross-functional alignment across ICEYE’s aerospace, defense, and commercial programs.

This position is critical for shaping program execution standards, strengthening collaboration, and ensuring operational excellence. While the role does not immediately oversee a direct team, it is designed to build organizational readiness, influence program delivery, and foster a high-performance, people-centric culture.

The Director will serve as a key escalation point for program risks and strategic customer issues, supporting multiple teams and stakeholders across the business.

Responsibilities

  • Drive cross-functional alignment across engineering, operations, software, product, and customer-facing teams to ensure successful execution of complex programs
  • Establish program management standards, operating rhythms, and best-practice frameworks to improve predictability, communication, and execution quality
  • Serve as an escalation point for strategic customer issues, program risks, and cross-team dependencies
  • Build and maintain strong relationships with customers and partners, representing ICEYE US in high-visibility engagements
  • Guide long-range planning for program delivery capabilities, identifying opportunities for process improvement, tooling enhancements, and organizational readiness
  • Oversee adherence to internal processes, compliance requirements, and industry standards
  • Lead risk identification, mitigation planning, and cross-functional resolution efforts to ensure program success
  • Partner with executive leadership to translate organizational goals into program execution strategies
  • Champion a culture of learning, accountability, psychological safety, and continuous improvement
  • Support talent development and succession planning initiatives as the program management function grows Required Qualifications
  • Bachelor’s degree in a technical or business field; master's preferred - 7–10 years of relevant experience with demonstrated success leading multi-team program environments, consistent with Director-level expectations in ICEYE’s leveling guide
  • Proven people leadership experience, including performance management, coaching, and career development (even if not immediately managing a team)
  • Demonstrated experience navigating complex, multi-stakeholder program environments within aerospace, defense, or related sectors
  • TS/SCI clearance (required)
  • Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to influence and build trust across all levels
  • Expertise with program management tools, methodologies, and lifecycle execution Preferred Qualifications
  • Program Management Professional certification
  • Experience with U.S. Government acquisition processes
  • Experience in high-growth, fast-paced environments
  • Background in remote sensing programs Pay Range and Compensation Package
  • The estimated base salary range for this role is $250k - $270k depending on experience
  • Other benefits include health coverage, flexible PTO, a friendly work environment, plus extra fun perks! Physical Requirements This position primarily works in an office environment. It requires the ability to sit or stand for long periods of time and frequent walking. Daily use of a computer, phone, office equipment and other computing and digital devices is required. Some travel may be necessary – the ability to travel by car, plane, train, bus, vessel, or metro, operate a motor vehicle and maintain a valid Driver’s License and/or effectively navigate public transportation is required. While performing the responsibilities of the job, the employee must be able to read and respond to inter-office communications as well as effectively participate in meetings. The employee is often required to sit and use their hands or fingers, to lift up to 50 lbs., pull, push, carry, handle, or feel. The employee is required to carry, handle items, reach with arms and hands, to stoop, kneel, or crouch; talk, or hear. Mental demands may require prolonged concentration, reading comprehension, understanding and interpretation of concepts, ideas, and philosophies. The physical demands of the position described herein are essential functions of the job and employees must be able to successfully perform these tasks for extended periods. Reasonable accommodations may be made for those individuals with real or perceived disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job described unless such accommodations would cause ICEYE US an undue burden. EEO Statement ICEYE US is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, age, or any other protected characteristic under federal, state, or local law.

Description copied from ICEYE US's careers page. Read the full posting before you apply.

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