Deputy Program Manager for Propulsion Development

Airbus Ventures; Houston (TX); Hybrid; USD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k) plan

Stock options

Medical benefits (dental & vision)

Flex-Friday schedule

Unlimited PTO

Professional development opportunities

Job summary

Venus Aerospace is seeking a Deputy Program Manager for Propulsion Development to lead cross-functional teams from design to deployment. This hands-on role drives requirements, schedules, and budgets to deliver high-performance propulsion systems in a rapidly evolving startup environment.

The ideal candidate has 15+ years in aerospace programs, 5+ years as a PM, and strong communication skills, with U.S. citizenship and ability to obtain a Secret clearance.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace Engineering, Systems Engineering, or related field.
• 15+ years of aerospace, defense, or national security programs.
• 5+ years as a Program Manager in aerospace.
• Excellent communication and technical writing, including CDRLs and technical data packages.
• U.S. citizenship with ability to obtain and maintain a Secret clearance.

Responsibilities

• Program Leadership: ensure alignment between Venus Aerospace business plan and technology roadmap.
• Program Execution: deconflict resources and set priorities; manage cost, schedule, and technical performance from design through manufacturing, integration, test, and deployment.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: translate mission needs into product requirements, guide design reviews, manage changes; work with manufacturing and supply chain to meet timelines.
• Customer Engagement: lead program reviews, present technical and schedule briefings, negotiate requirements, maintain relationships with customer stakeholders.
• Risk Management: identify program risks early, develop mitigation plans, and maintain schedule fidelity under aggressive timelines.
• Proposal & Contract Management: lead proposal efforts and contract negotiations, ensuring technical feasibility, cost effectiveness, and FAR/DFARS compliance.

Skills

Aerospace program management

Technical leadership

Customer engagement

Cost/schedule/technical performance

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace Engineering, Systems Engineering or related field

Job description

Who We Are:
Venus Aerospace is revolutionizing rocket engine propulsion. With the first generational leap in rocket engine technology since Apollo, our proprietary Rotating Detonation Rocket Engine and Venus Detonation Ramjets deliver historic efficiency and performance across aerospace applications. We are building the next generation of propulsion platforms that enable breakthrough capabilities in space, defense, and commercial high-speed flight. Our team thrives on solving the toughest engineering challenges and pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in aerospace. At Venus, we’re looking for bold engineers and innovators who want to make history and redefine the future of propulsion.

The Role: Deputy Program Manager for Propulsion Development

The Deputy Program Manager for Propulsion Development will partner with leaders from manufacturing, engineering, test, purchasing and sales to develop Venus propulsion systems. You will own program requirements, schedules, and budgets and ensure the integrated team delivers propulsion systems with exceptional performance and propellant mass fraction that are manufacturable and marketable. This is a hands-on program leadership role in a rapidly evolving startup environment.

What You’ll Get To Do

• Program Leadership: ensure alignment between Venus Aerospace business plan and technology roadmap.
• Program Execution: Deconflict resources and set priorities. Manage cost, schedule, and technical performance from design through manufacturing, integration, test, and deployment.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Work closely with engineering to translate mission needs into product requirements, guide design reviews, and manage technical or contractual changes. Work with manufacturing to ensure designs can be manufactured; supply chains can support timelines and prioritize work. Work with test to ensure the design of experiments meet exit criteria and achieve product performance.
• Customer Engagement: Lead program reviews, present technical and schedule briefings, negotiate requirements, and maintain strong relationships with customer stakeholders.
• Risk Management: Identify program risks early, develop mitigation plans, and maintain schedule fidelity under aggressive timelines.
• Proposal & Contract Management: Lead proposal efforts and contract negotiations, ensuring technical feasibility, cost effectiveness, and compliance with FAR/DFARS requirements.

What You Have

• Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace Engineering, Systems Engineering, or a related technical field or equivalent experience.
• Excellent communication and technical writing skills, including preparation of CDRLs and technical data packages
• 15+ years of experience in aerospace, defense, or national security programs
• 5+ years of experience as a Program Manager in aerospace
• Proven track record of excellence and achievement
• Demonstrated success managing complex, multi-disciplinary engineering programs to cost and schedule.
• U.S. citizenship with the ability to obtain and maintain a Secret clearance.

What Will Set You Apart

• Familiarity with USG programs, acquisitions, and operational concepts.
• Understanding of U.S. Government acquisition processes, contracting, and operational concepts.
• Familiarity with government acquisition processes, requirements decomposition, and systems verification.
• Familiarity with rapid prototyping, OTA contracts, and accelerated development environments.

Location: On-site in Houston, TX

Benefits: Venus Aerospace employee benefits include a 401(k) plan, stock options, and medical benefits, including dental and vision. We have a flex-Friday flexible schedule, unlimited PTO, and receive professional development opportunities.

ITAR Requirements

This position involves access to technology that is subject to U.S. export controls. Any job offer made will be contingent upon the applicant’s capacity to serve in compliance with U.S. export controls. To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) you must be able to meet ITAR requirements (U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the U.S., protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State). You can learn more about ITAR here.

Venus Aerospace is an Equal Opportunity Employer including Disabled/Veterans. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, or protected veteran status and will not be discriminated against on the basis of disability. If you have a disability and believe you need a reasonable accommodation, please email [e-mail] or call [phone]. This email and phone number were created exclusively to assist job seekers whose disability prevents them from being able to apply online. Messages or any other purposes, such as following up on an application, third party staffing agencies, website technical issues, or any other issues not related to a disability, will not receive a response. Messages will be returned within five business days.

For additional information about our Equal Opportunity Employment Policy, please visit our EEOP page.