PROGRAM MANAGER-R&D - SR. PROGRAM MANAGER-R&D - Spacecraft Development

Southwest Research Institute; Austin (TX); On-site; USD 180,000 - 230,000; Full time

Job summary

Southwest Research Institute (SwRI) is a leading provider of spacecraft development solutions with a focus on mission success across civil, government, and commercial markets. The role involves directing cross-functional teams from concept to flight-ready systems, ensuring schedule, cost, and technical performance goals are achieved.

The position emphasizes senior program leadership, strong communication, and ongoing business development to grow spacecraft programs with diverse clients while

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Mechanical, Electrical, Aerospace, Astronautical, Space Systems or related engineering field.

Responsibilities

• Direct cross-functional teams to design, assemble, integrate, test, and deliver spacecraft systems.
• Conduct formal program control and prepare executive status briefings, variance analyses, and recovery plans.
• Lead customer engagement, business development, proposals, cost estimates, capture plans and technical presentations.

Skills

Program management

Leadership

Stakeholder management

Strategy planning

Cross-functional collaboration

Technical understanding

Education

Bachelor's or Master's in Engineering

Tools

MS Project

Earned Value Management

Job description

Who We Are:

The Spacecraft Development Department is a group of innovative engineers, program managers, and technicians developing unique spacecraft solutions for challenging space missions. We design and fabricate custom solutions to explore the boundaries of science or solve complex problems not yet delivered by industry to accommodate a variety of payloads.

Objectives of this Role:

• Lead execution of mid- to large-scale spacecraft programs from concept through integration-ready, flight-worthy systems, delivering predictable cost, schedule, and technical performance.
• Provide technical and program leadership for cutting-edge spacecraft and mission development, ensuring technical rigor, readiness, and seamless system and payload integration.
• Drive business development and strategic planning for spacecraft 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 spacecraft systems.
• Resolve technical and schedule issues to keep programs on baseline and launch/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 spacecraft engineering processes, tools, and best practices.

Requirements:

• Requires a Bachelors or a Masters degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Astronautical Engineering, Space Systems Engineering, Systems Engineering or related technical or space-related engineering field with relevant experience.
• PMP or similar certification preferred but not required with demonstrated project management 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 goals.
• 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; 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
• Austin, Texas

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

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