Engineering Program Manager

Skylo; Mountain View (CA); On-site; USD 130,000 - 140,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Stock options

Medical insurance

Retirement plan

Education reimbursement

Paid time off

Job summary

Skylo seeks an Engineering Program Manager in Mountain View, CA, on-site, to align cloud-native software evolution with global network implementation and hardware certification across five continents. You will drive end-to-end integration between software releases and ground stations, coordinating with OEMs, chipset partners, and satellite operators to meet launch timelines and reliability targets.

This role offers competitive compensation, equity options, and a path to impact Skylo’s live

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, or a related field providing software/hardware foundation.
• 5+ years of experience managing complex engineering programs integrating software with physical infrastructure or telecom hardware.
• Proven ability to synchronize software lifecycle with hardware testing and network deployment milestones.
• Deep understanding of constraints in network implementation, including spectrum coordination and ground station operations.
• Experience navigating device certification processes and 3GPP standards with chipset makers or OEMs.
• History of managing high-stakes vendor relationships and external satellite operator partnerships to hit launch dates.
• Expertise adapting agile practices to long-lead physical network infrastructure projects.
• Demonstrated ability to align technical requirements with business objectives in fast-paced environments.
• Expert level experience with program management tools such as JIRA.

Responsibilities

• Drive end-to-end integration of cloud-native software releases with physical network implementation across global ground stations.
• Synchronize hardware development cycles with firmware and software milestones for seamless device certification with OEMs and chipset partners.
• Navigate trade-offs between terrestrial roaming requirements and non-terrestrial network performance standards.
• Resolve ambiguity between software engineering, network operations, and external operators to maintain high availability.
• Define and track critical path dependencies for multi-continent deployments, including regulatory milestones.
• Collaborate across teams to clarify requirements and allocate resources during launch windows.
• Establish post-launch retrospectives to automate deployment workflows and reduce bottlenecks.
• Manage risks in global spectrum coordination and hardware supply chains to prevent slippage.

Skills

Program management

Cloud-native

SDLC alignment

Vendor management

JIRA

3GPP standards

Education

BSc in CS/EE

Tools

JIRA

Job description

The world still has coverage blind spots. You could help eliminate them at Skylo.

Skylo has pioneered a standards-based approach to satellite connectivity. We connect smartphones and IoT devices directly to satellites. No special hardware, no entirely new networks. Just billions of existing devices, suddenly reachable anywhere on Earth. We're not building toward this future. We're already in it.

Our direct-to-device service is live on millions of activated devices across five continents, covering more than 72 million square kilometers, in partnership with leading satellite operators, mobile network operators, Tier-1 chipset makers, and OEMs worldwide. And we're just getting started.

At the heart of it all is Skylo's commercial NTN vRAN: a 3GPP standards-based, cloud-native platform that seamlessly bridges terrestrial and satellite networks. It's the infrastructure that makes true anywhere, anytime connectivity possible.

When you join Skylo, you'll work at the intersection of three markets reshaping how the world stays connected: mass-market consumer devices, automotive, and industrial IoT. Enabling people outdoors and critical workflows in the world's most remote places.

This is a rare chance to work on technology that matters, at a company that's already proving it works

HOW YOU WILL IMPACT SKYLO:

Skylo is seeking an Engineering Program Manager to solve the complex challenge of synchronizing our cloud-native software evolution with global network implementation and hardware certification. You will be the primary driver behind the world’s first live direct-to-device satellite service, ensuring that code deployed in the cloud works flawlessly with physical infrastructure on the ground and partner devices in the field. This role is not just about tracking tasks; it is about navigating the technical trade-offs between rapid software iteration and the rigorous, long-lead requirements of satellite network operations. You will resolve the systemic ambiguity that arises when software, hardware, and vendors collide, ultimately ensuring that our global network scales reliably as we expand across five continents.

This role is located in Mountain View, California (On-Site)

HOW YOU WILL CONTRIBUTE:

• Drive the end-to-end integration of cloud-native software releases with physical network implementation across our global satellite ground stations.
• Synchronize hardware development cycles with firmware and software milestones to ensure seamless device certification with OEM and chipset partners.
• Navigate technical trade-offs between terrestrial roaming requirements and non-terrestrial network (NTN) performance standards.
• Resolve systemic ambiguity between software engineering, network operations, and external satellite operators to maintain 99.9% service availability.
• Define and track critical path dependencies for multi-continent network deployments, including regulatory and infrastructure milestones.
• Partner across teams to clarify requirements and drive decisions on resource allocation during high-stakes launch windows.
• Establish scalable post-launch retrospectives that transform operational bottlenecks into automated deployment workflows.
• Manage high-leverage risks associated with global spectrum coordination and hardware supply chains to prevent project slippage.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, or a related technical field that provides a foundation in both software and hardware systems.
• 5+ years of experience managing complex engineering programs that integrate cloud-native software with physical infrastructure or telecommunications hardware.
• Proven ability to synchronize the software development lifecycle (SDLC) with hardware testing and network deployment milestones.
• Deep understanding of the technical constraints associated with network implementation, including spectrum coordination or ground station operations.
• Experience navigating device certification processes and 3GPP standards in partnership with chipset makers or OEMs.
• History of managing high-stakes vendor relationships and external satellite operator partnerships to hit critical launch dates.
• Expertise in adapting agile software practices to fit the rigid, long-lead timelines of physical network infrastructure projects.
• Demonstrated capability in using analytical skills to identify and resolve systemic bottlenecks across cross-functional engineering teams.
• Experience applying sound judgment to balance rapid software iteration with the reliability requirements of a live global network.
• Record of driving alignment between technical engineering requirements and non-technical business objectives in a fast-paced environment.
• Expert level experience with program management tools such as JIRA.

WHAT WE OFFER

With employees working across three continents, Skylo is proud to be an equal opportunity employer dedicated to building an inclusive and diverse workforce. Our worldwide culture encourages a flexible approach to work, and we offer an attractive range of benefits:

• Competitive compensation packages including a stock option-based equity program
• Comprehensive benefits including medical, dental, vision, and retirement plan
• Monthly allowances for wellness and education reimbursement
• A generous time-off policy, holidays, and the opportunity to temporarily work abroad
• A once-in-a-career opportunity to operate the world's first commercial, live direct-to-device satellite network
• Access to a world-class team across software, hardware, chipsets, telecom, satellite, and network virtualization
• Open, transparent, inclusive culture that blends Silicon Valley, Nordic, and South Asia characteristics

The estimated base salary range for this role is $130,000 — $140,000. Within the range, individual pay is determined by work location and additional factors, including job-related skills, experience, and relevant training.

In addition to base salary, Skylo offers a competitive benefits package including health insurance, retirement plans, paid time off, and equity options.

EEO STATEMENT

Skylo is an equal-opportunity employer and we celebrate diversity. We do not discriminate based on race, religion, color, ancestry, national origin, caste, sex, sexual orientation, parent or caregiver status, political affiliation, gender, gender identity or expression, age, disability, medical condition, pregnancy, genetic makeup, marital status, or military service consistent with applicable federal, state, and local laws.

We are also committed to providing reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities and disabled veterans in our job application procedures. Please let us know if you need assistance or accommodation due to a disability.