Senior Master Scheduler & Planner

Iridium Communications Inc; Reston (VA); Hybrid; USD 135,000 - 177,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Travel up to 15%

US citizenship required

Job summary

Iridium Communications Inc is seeking a Senior Master Scheduler & Planner to support a complex U.S. Government contract. You will create and maintain the IMS, align QBDs in Jira, and collaborate across teams to deliver milestones and risk analyses.

A Top Secret clearance is required and remote work is balanced with in-office collaboration. Responsibilities include planning artifacts, PI planning support, and data-driven variance analysis.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a business or technical major or related field.
• 10+ years of relevant experience, preferably within the Aerospace or Telecommunications fields.
• Expertise using Microsoft Project and add-on software such as OnePager Pro, SSI Tools and audit software.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office products, including Word, Excel, SharePoint, PowerPoint, and Visio.
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to convey products, deliverables, analyses, and/or issues clearly and confidently.
• Ability to build meaningful relationships with senior leadership and provide constructive feedback.
• Ability to analyze situations, generate effective solutions, and see them through to completion.
• Creative and resourceful decision-maker for new assignments.
• Thrives in a dynamic environment with multiple tasks and shifting priorities.

Responsibilities

• Develop the Work Breakdown Structure (WBS), Integrated Master Plan (IMP), and the IMS.
• Collaborate with technical teams to refine Agile roadmaps and dependencies.
• Ensure alignment between QBD in Jira and the IMS with accurate traceability.
• Support PI Planning with Product Owners, Scrum Masters, CAMs, and Tech Leads.
• Develop proposal planning artifacts in response to RFI/RFPs.
• Lead cross-functional teams to define tasks, durations, relationships, and weekly status.
• Perform DCMA 14-point assessment, critical path, and Monte Carlo risk analyses.
• Conduct Schedule Risk Assessments to test IMS feasibility.
• Analyze cost and schedule variances and explain deviations.
• Develop tier-one and tier-two schedules from a single database using MS Project.
• Provide recommendations on schedule impacts and adjustments.
• Identify issues early and propose mitigating actions.
• Develop processes and train junior team members.

Skills

Schedule management

Cross-functional leadership

Problem solving

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in business or technical field

Tools

Microsoft Project

OnePager Pro

SSI Tools

Audit software

Job description

Overview

Iridium is an award-winning and innovative satellite communications company with bragging rights to the only network that offers voice and data connectivity anywhere in the world. For over 20 years, Iridium's unique network and services have supported critical communications needs for individuals, businesses, and the evolving Internet of Things.

At Iridium, we understand the importance of staying connected and the limitations of traditional communications networks. People across the globe, including first responders, humanitarians, global militaries, scientific researchers, and lone workers, as well as ships, aircraft and remote operations all rely on Iridium to stay connected. We take our responsibility for providing these essential communications very seriously and pride ourselves on offering a reliable lifeline when needed. Likewise, Iridium is committed to providing an exciting and innovative workplace, where employees are challenged to think outside the box and collaborate on new, bold ideas and solutions. Our talented teams are passionate about their work and the impact our company makes around the world. Iridium fosters an empowering and inclusive culture that allows employees to genuinely be their best selves. We are looking for others who want to join this truly unique company that celebrates our employees and provides the opportunity to truly make a difference in the world.

Responsibilities

What We're Looking For:

Iridium is seeking a Senior Master Scheduler & Planner to support a complex multi-phased U.S Government contract. This role will be expected to be an expert in all aspects of schedule creation, maintenance, management, and analysis in order to provide valuable and critical insights to the Program Management office. As a Senior Master Scheduler and Planner, you will be required to support multiple interrelated efforts that feed into one common operational goal. You will also be required to work independently and within a cross-functional team consisting of both dedicated and matrixed resources. If you are an expert in the field of scheduling and have at least 5 recent years of experience working in the defense industry with a minimum of 10 years direct scheduling experience, then you will be excited about the Senior Master Scheduler & Planner opening with Iridium on our Space Development Agency (SDA) program. You will thrive in this role if you are detail oriented, have the ability to see the big picture, conduct true schedule analysis, and possess Earned Value Management expertise.

This position requires an active/current Top Secret Security Clearance or the ability to obtain a Top Secret Security Clearance (A U.S. Security Clearance that has been active in the past 24 months is considered active).

What You'll Do:

• Develop the Work Breakdown Structure (WBS), Integrated Master Plan (IMP), and the Integrated Master Schedule (IMS)
• Collaborate with technical teams to develop and refine Agile product roadmaps, ensuring clear articulation of completed work, upcoming milestones, external and internal dependencies, long-term capability sequencing aligned with program objectives
• Ensure continuous alignment between the programs Quantifiable Backup Data (QBD) in Jira and the IMS, maintaining accurate traceability and synchronization so task level status derived from the QBD reliably reflect earned performance and schedule status
• Actively support Program Increment (PI) Planning by partnering with Product Owners, Scrum Masters, Control Account Managers (CAMs), and Technical Leads to finalize objectives, identify dependencies and risks, validate scope alignment, and ensure schedule inputs (epics, story points, charge codes, forecasts) are fully integrated into the IMS
• Develop proposal planning artifacts in response to RFI (Request for Information) and RFP's (Request for Proposal)
• Lead cross functional team members and activities in the definition of project tasks, establish task durations, define relationships, impose constraints, collect weekly status, and resource load the schedule
• Perform DCMA 14-point assessment, critical path analysis, and Monte Carlo schedule risk assessment
• Perform Schedule Risk Assessments (SRAs) to test the validity and feasibility of the IMSs
• Conduct data-driven analysis on cost & schedule variances and support Program Managers & Control Account Managers with variance explanations
• Develop tier-one schedule (one pager), tier-two schedules, and master schedule from a single database using Microsoft Project
• Provide recommendations on how changes may affect timelines and what adjustments are needed
• Play a key role in early identification of potential issues or trends that may impact the program's success
• Develop process, procedures, and strategy for implementing scheduling best practices
• Provide on-the-job training and mentorship to junior team members

Qualifications

What You'll Need to Succeed:

• Bachelor's degree in a business or technical major or related field
• 10+ years of relevant experience, preferably within the Aerospace or Telecommunications fields
• Expertise using Microsoft Project and add-on software such as OnePager Pro, SSI Tools and audit software
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office products, including Word, Excel, SharePoint, PowerPoint, and Visio
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to convey products, deliverables, analyses, and/or issues clearly and confidently, and recognize and adapt to different communication techniques
• Can easily build meaningful relationships with others, including senior leadership outside of your own department, and is comfortable providing constructive feedback to your team members and management
• Be able to analyze a situation or problem, generate effective solutions, and see those solutions through to completion
• Must possess the creativity and resourcefulness needed to make reliable decisions and determine methods on new assignments
• Can thrive in a dynamic environment by handling multiple tasks and managing shifting priorities
• Be proactive in sharing knowledge you've learned with others

Things ThatWould beGreatif You Brought to the Table:

• Project Management Institute (PMI) Certification
• Knowledge of Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe) practices
• Earned Value Management (EVM) certification

We'll also need you to:

• Be able to travel up to 15%
• Be a US citizen

ADA and EEO

Work Environment:

This position primarily works in an office setting and is largely sedentary with the majority of the position working with a computer. The role typically requires the use of basic office equipment such as a phone, video, computer, keyboard, mouse, and printer.

We believe in-person connection drives innovation, strengthens mentorship, and builds culture, while flexibility enables employees to do their best work. Under Iridium's Hybrid Work Policy, employees are expected to work at least three days per week (approximately 60%) in an Iridium office to support collaboration, relationship-building, and professional growth.

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.

Base Pay Range: $135,000 - $177,000 USD

Actual compensation will be determined based on a variety of factors and this range represents an estimate of compensation at the time of posting. Base salary is only one part of our compensation package for this role. You may also be eligible for company stock and annual bonus. Employee benefits also include medical, dental, and vision insurance coverage; 401(k) retirement plan options; paid time off and paid holidays; paid parental leave; and other discounts and perks.

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