PROGRAM MANAGER-R&D - SR. PROGRAM MANAGER-R&D - Space Electronics

Southwest Research Institute; Austin (TX); On-site; USD 180,000 - 280,000; Full time

Job summary

Southwest Research Institute in Texas seeks a senior leader to oversee space electronics programs from concept through flight-ready hardware. You will direct cross-functional teams, shape requirements, and ensure cost, schedule, and technical performance.

Responsibilities include program control, customer engagement, and business development across civil, DoD, and international markets, with a focus on growth and long-term relationships. Requires 10+ years in space programs and U.S. citizenship.

Qualifications

• Requires a Bachelor's or Master's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Space Systems Engineering, Systems Engineering or related field with directly related experience.
• 10+ years leading technical space programs and projects of significant scope and complexity.
• Proven ability to develop new strategic areas with multi-year funding and expand client relationships.
• Outstanding organizational, management, and interpersonal skills with strong communication.

Responsibilities

• Direct cross-functional teams to design, assemble, integrate, test, and deliver space electronics systems.
• Resolve technical and schedule issues to keep programs on baseline and delivery-ready.
• Conduct formal program control and reporting (IMS health, cost/EVM) and prepare executive status briefings.
• Lead customer engagement and business development cadence, shaping opportunities and proposals.
• Oversee team performance, mentoring staff in space electronics engineering processes and best practices.

Skills

Program leadership

Program management

Systems engineering

Customer engagement

Written and verbal communication

Education

Bachelors or Masters in Electrical Engineering/Space Systems

Job description

Who We Are:

We are a world-renowned supplier in advanced spacecraft computing, avionics, and payload processing solutions. Our state-of-the-art research and development center provides complete turn-key systems and solutions to meet the most demanding space applications.

Objectives of this Role:

Lead execution of mid-to large-scale space electronics programs from concept through integration-ready, flight-worthy systems, delivering predictable cost, schedule, and technical performance. Work on the full lifecycle design for related flight electronics in high reliability systems for space applications. Define requirements, write specifications, perform analysis and implement designs from concept to hardware. Lead and work with a team of engineers and technicians. Provide technical and program leadership for cutting-edge space electronics ensuring technical rigor, readiness, and seamless system performance and integration. Drive business development and strategic planning for space electronics in commercial, civil government, DoD, and international markets, shaping mission concepts and converting opportunities into funded programs. Manage program resources, capital equipment, budgets, and governance processes (scope, IMS, risk, EV, policies) to support growth, execution excellence, and strong long-term customer relationships.

Daily and Monthly Responsibilities:

• Direct cross-functional teams to design, assemble, integrate, test, and deliver space electronics systems.
• Resolve technical and schedule issues to keep programs on baseline and delivery/integration-ready.
• Conduct formal program control and reporting (IMS health, cost/EVM/burn, forecasts), preparing executive-and customer-ready status briefings, variance analyses, and recovery plans.
• Lead customer engagement and business development cadence-requirements refinement, opportunity shaping, proposals and cost estimates, capture plans, and technical presentations-to win and grow spacecraft programs.
• Oversee team performance and development, including tasking, accountability, resourcing, and mentoring staff in space electronics engineering processes, tools, and best practices.

Requirements:

• Requires a Bachelors or a Masters degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Space Systems Engineering, Systems Engineer or related Engineering degree field with directly related experience.
• 10+ years: Demonstrated capability to successfully promote and lead technical space programs and projects of significant scope and complexity, typically involving multiple sections or divisions, several clients, and multidisciplinary teams, while meeting/exceeding cost and schedule.
• 10+ years: Proven success in building and sustaining technical or research program areas, including developing new strategic areas of interest with clear potential for future growth and multi-year funding, and a strong record of establishing, maintaining, and expanding client relationships.
• 10+ years: Outstanding organizational, management, technical, and interpersonal skills, with excellent verbal and written communication and a track record of effectively leading others, administering to their technical and professional development needs.
• A valid/clear driver's license is required.

Special Requirements:

Applicant selected will be subject to a government security investigation and must meet eligibility requirements for access to classified information. Applicant must be a U.S. citizen.

Job Locations:

San Antonio, Texas Or Austin, Texas

For more information about this division, visit the Space Systems home page.

For benefits information at our San Antonio location, click here.

For benefits information at all other locations, click here.

An Equal Employment Opportunity Employer: race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, and veteran status.