Program Management Associate Director

Iridium Satellite LLC; Philadelphia (Philadelphia County); Hybrid; USD 175,000 - 230,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision insurance

401(k) retirement plan

Paid time off and holidays

Paid parental leave

Company stock options and annual bonuses

Job summary

Iridium Satellite LLC is seeking a Program Management Associate Director for their Bumblebee program in Philadelphia. The role involves leading cross-functional teams and managing program execution for satellite operations, ensuring compliance with contractual and performance metrics.

The ideal candidate will have 12+ years in government program management, strong executive communication skills, and a proactive mindset towards process improvement.

This position allows for hybrid work arrangements, requiring at least three days per week in the office.

Qualifications

• 12+ years of U.S. Government program or project management experience.
• 5–7 years of engineering or technical foundation experience.
• Experience with Scaled Agile (SAFe) or hybrid delivery frameworks.

Responsibilities

• Lead program execution for ground segment development.
• Manage program financial performance and budgets.
• Serve as the primary customer interface for program reviews.
• Drive risk management and maintain the program risk register.
• Ensure contract compliance and deliverable acceptance.

Skills

Executive communication skills

Process improvement orientation

Strategic thinking

Relationship building with senior leadership

Education

Bachelor’s degree in engineering, mathematics, or science

Advanced degree preferred

Job description

Program Management Associate Director

Locations: Reston, VA; Denver, CO; Philadelphia, PA

Job ID: 2026-5010

Base Pay Range: $175,000 - $230,000 USD

Actual compensation includes a base salary; additional incentives may include company stock and annual bonuses. Employee benefits include medical, dental and vision insurance, 401(k) retirement plan, paid time off, paid holidays, paid parental leave and other perks.

Job Overview

We are seeking a Program Management Associate Director for our Bumblebee program to support a mission‑critical ground segment infrastructure for government satellite operations. The role involves leading cross‑functional teams in a high‑visibility environment and contributing to advanced space technologies.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead end‑to‑end program execution for ground segment development, ensuring cost, schedule, and performance baselines are met across all satellite operations deliverables and contract milestones.
• Own program financial performance, managing budgets and estimates to complete while surfacing variances and corrective actions to senior leadership.
• Serve as the primary customer interface, leading program status reviews, change board discussions, and stakeholder engagements.
• Drive risk and opportunity management by maintaining the program risk register and escalating critical items ahead of major decision gates.
• Manage cross‑functional dependencies and subcontractor performance, holding internal teams and vendors accountable to integrated schedule commitments and contract deliverable quality.
• Ensure contract compliance and deliverable acceptance, working closely with contracts, finance, and quality assurance.
• Partner with senior leadership to shape program strategy, including growth planning, follow‑on positioning, and alignment of ground segment investments.
• Lead proposal development and capture efforts for follow‑on contracts, modifications, and new business pursuits.
• Deliver clear, concise briefings to executive leadership on program health, emerging risks, resource needs, and key decisions.
• Build, develop, and retain a high‑performing program team, setting priorities and fostering accountability.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, mathematics, or science required; advanced degree preferred.
• 12+ years of U.S. Government program or project management experience, preferably supporting DoD or IC satellite or ground segment programs.
• 5–7 years of engineering or technical foundation experience.
• Experience managing programs using Scaled Agile (SAFe) or hybrid delivery frameworks.
• Proven ability to manage cost, schedule, and performance baselines across complex, multi‑vendor programs.
• Strong executive communication skills.
• Strategic thinker with sound judgment and decisiveness.
• Track record of building trusted relationships with senior leadership, customers, and cross‑functional teams.
• Proactive mindset with process improvement orientation.

Preferred

• Project Management Accreditation (APMP, PMI or equivalent).

Additional Requirements

• Active TS/SCI clearance required (considered active if issued in the past 24 months).
• Ability to travel up to 20%.
• U.S. citizenship required.

Work Environment

This position primarily works in an office setting and is largely sedentary, using standard office equipment. Under Iridium’s Hybrid Work Policy, employees are expected to work at least three days per week (approximately 60%) in an Iridium office.

Additional Information

This job description outlines the general nature and level of work for this role and is not a comprehensive list of duties, responsibilities, or qualifications. Employees may be assigned additional responsibilities as needed.

Iridium is an Equal Opportunity Employer, including individuals with disabilities and protected veterans.