Program Director, Space Defense Programs

AST SpaceMobile; Arlington (VA); On-site; USD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

AST SpaceMobile Defense seeks a Program Director to lead a mission-critical national security program with a U.S. Government customer. You will act as the single accountable owner, manage schedule, risk, and cost, and coordinate across Systems Engineering, Space Segment, Launch, Ground Segment, and Mission Operations.

You will drive reviews, maintain IMS, and mentor staff while ensuring cost/schedule compliance and security obligations in a fast-paced defense environment. <\/p>

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in aerospace engineering, systems engineering, business, or related technical field required.
• Master's degree preferred.

Responsibilities

• Serve as AST's primary program lead and customer point of contact, representing AST in program reviews and milestone negotiations.
• Maintain an Integrated Master Schedule (IMS) and provide monthly programmatic status reporting on technical progress, financial status, schedule status, and risk.
• Build and maintain a program risk registry and drive mitigation actions across engineering, operations, and supply chain.
• Lead in-person program reviews, kickoff meetings, and periodic status briefings with the government customer, primarily in the Washington, D.C. area.
• Ensure compliance with program cost/schedule reporting requirements and OPSEC obligations.
• Directly supervise and mentor program management staff supporting the program.
• Coordinate cross-functionally across Systems Engineering, Space Segment, Launch, Ground Segment, and Mission Operations to ensure on-time, on-cost delivery against contract milestones.
• Support proposal development and ROM estimating for follow-on scope.
• Stand up and mature PMO processes, tools, and standards for the defense subsidiary.

Skills

PMP certification

DoD cost reporting

SATCOM programs

PMO setup

Risk management

Education

Bachelor's degree in aerospace/systems/business

Master's degree

Tools

MS Project

JIRA

Microsoft Office Suite

Costpoint / NetSuite

Job description

AST SpaceMobile Defense seeks a Program Director to lead a mission-critical national security program with a U.S. Government customer. You will act as the single accountable owner, manage schedule, risk, and cost, and coordinate across Systems Engineering, Space Segment, Launch, Ground Segment, and Mission Operations.

You will drive reviews, maintain IMS, and mentor staff while ensuring cost/schedule compliance and security obligations in a fast-paced defense environment. <\/p>