Technical Program Manager, Spacecraft Development

Quantum Space is redefining mobility and maneuverability in space. Our high-mobility spacecraft platforms support national security, civil, and commercial missions with unmatched flexibility and propulsion capability. We build fast and iterate quickly.

Who We're Looking For

We are seeking a Senior Technical Program Manager, Spacecraft Development who combines deep aerospace technical expertise with exceptional program execution leadership. This role is ideal for a systems engineer, spacecraft integration lead, or mission architect who has grown into full technical, cost, and schedule ownership of complex spacecraft or payload programs. As a Senior Technical Program Manager, you will lead mission execution from early concept development through launch and on-orbit operations while serving as a key technical interface with customers and internal stakeholders.

Where You'll Make an Impact

• Own full technical, cost, and schedule accountability for spacecraft, payload, and subsystem development programs

• Define, mature, and negotiate mission concepts, including:

• Payload integration studies

• Mission analysis

• System architecture trades

• Concept of operations development

• Lead cross-functional execution across:

• Systems engineering

• Vehicle engineering

• Avionics

• Software

• Propulsion

• Thermal

• AI&T

• Manufacturing and supply chain

• Develop and maintain:

• Integrated master schedules (IMS)

• Program plans and milestones

• Technical documentation and interface requirements

• Spacecraft capability and mission architecture documentation

• Serve as the primary customer-facing technical and programmatic lead during:

• Early mission formulation

• Technical interchange meetings (TIMs/TEMs)

• SRR, PDR, CDR, and milestone reviews

• Proposal and capture activities

• Lead technical negotiations and ensure customer requirements align with Quantum Space capabilities

• Identify program risks, dependencies, and resource constraints and drive mitigation plans to closure

• Support mission-level engineering activities including:

• Requirements development

• Payload-to-bus compatibility

• Architecture studies

• Mission assurance planning

• Contribute to proposal development, business capture, and growth of the company’s mission portfolio

• Bring execution discipline and mission assurance rigor to a fast-paced, rapidly evolving commercial space environment

What It Takes

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Physics, or a related technical discipline

• 10+ years of experience leading spacecraft, satellite, or aerospace development programs

• Direct experience designing, integrating, testing, or operating spacecraft or space systems

• Strong technical background in:

• Systems engineering

• Spacecraft integration & test (I&T)

• Mission architecture

• Payload integration

• Experience leading hardware-intensive aerospace programs through formal milestone reviews

• Strong understanding of:

• Spacecraft subsystems

• Space system architectures

• Mission modeling and simulation

• Program execution under cost and schedule constraints

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills

• Ability to engage credibly with customers, executives, and engineering teams

• Ability to travel up to 25%

Nice-To-Have Experience

• Master’s degree or higher in Engineering or related discipline

• 15+ years of aerospace or space industry experience

• Experience supporting National Security Space programs or government customers

• Experience with:

• Satellite constellation analysis and simulation

• Electro-optical, RF, infrared, communications, or PNT payloads

• Mission assurance and export control requirements (ITAR)

• Rapid development or prototype-to-production environments

• Proposal development and government capture activities

• Familiarity with national security ground systems, networking, tasking, planning, and mission operations architectures

• Active U.S. Top Secret or TS/SCI clearance, or eligibility to obtain one

What You’ll Get

• Ownership – Leadership ownership of high-visibility national security and commercial space missions
• Exposure – Opportunity to help shape the future of Quantum Space as we scale from prototype to production
• Growth – Build trusted partnerships across leadership, engineering, and business teams. Opportunities for training and development.
• Compensation – Competitive salary, equity, and comprehensive benefits including medical, dental, vision, generous leave, HSA, 401(k) matching, and equity sharing

**Location: **Rockville, MD or Hawthorne, CA

**Base Salary: **

The salary range for this role is an estimate based on a wide range of compensation factors. Actual salary offer may vary based on (but not limited to) work experience, education and/or training, critical skills, and/or business considerations. Highly competitive equity grants are included in the majority of full time offers; and are considered part of Quantum Space's total compensation package.

Additional Requirements

To comply with U.S. Government space technology export regulations, applicants must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident, protected individual under 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.

Apply now and help build the next generation of spacecraft.