Deputy Program Manager for Propulsion Development

Venusaero; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 180,000 - 280,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k) plan

Stock options

Medical benefits including dental &amp

flex-Friday schedule

Unlimited PTO

Professional development opportunities

Job summary

Venus Aerospace is seeking a Deputy Program Manager for Propulsion Development in an on-site role in Houston. You will partner with manufacturing, engineering, test, purchasing and sales to own program requirements, schedules, and budgets, delivering propulsion systems that are manufacturable and marketable.

This hands-on leadership role operates within a rapidly evolving startup environment, requiring exceptional communication and a proven track record in aerospace programs and contract

Qualifications

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

Responsibilities

• Program Leadership: align Venus business plan with technology roadmap.
• Program Execution: manage cost, schedule, and performance from design through manufacturing, integration, test, and deployment.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: translate mission needs into product requirements, guide design reviews, and manage changes; coordinate with manufacturing and test.
• Customer Engagement: lead program reviews, briefings, negotiate requirements, maintain stakeholder relationships.
• Risk Management: identify risks early, develop mitigation plans, maintain schedule fidelity.
• Proposal & Contract Management: lead proposal efforts and contract negotiations, ensuring feasibility, cost effectiveness, and FAR/DFARS compliance.

Skills

Program management

Leadership

Communication

Technical writing

Cross-functional collaboration

Problem solving

CDRLs & data packages

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace Engineering / Systems Engineering

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

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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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

• 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.

Equal Opportunity Employer

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.