Senior Program Manager

Quantum Space; Hawthorne, Rockville (CA, MD); On-site; USD 180,000 - 225,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical benefits

Dental benefits

Vision benefits

401(k) matching

Generous leave

Equity sharing

Job summary

Quantum Space in Hawthorne, CA is seeking a Senior Program Manager to lead spacecraft platforms supporting national security missions. The role involves full accountability for technical, cost, and schedule aspects of program delivery.

The ideal candidate will possess a Bachelor's degree in engineering or physics, with over 7 years of relevant experience in program management for satellite missions. Attractive benefits include competitive salary and equity sharing.

Qualifications

• 7+ years of project or program management experience on satellite or spacecraft missions.
• Experience leading cross-functional, hardware-intensive programs through formal milestone reviews.
• Ability to manage schedules, budgets, and execution trade-offs effectively.

Responsibilities

• Own full technical, cost, and schedule accountability for spacecraft subsystem development.
• Lead cross-functional delivery across engineering, manufacturing, and integration.
• Develop and maintain integrated program plans and delivery commitments.

Skills

Project or program management

Systems engineering

Cross-functional leadership

Technical depth in I&T

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher in engineering or physics

Job description

Who We're Looking For

Quantum Space is redefining mobility and maneuverability in space. Our high-mobility Ranger spacecraft platforms support national security, civil, and commercial missions with unmatched flexibility and propulsion capability. We build fast and iterate quickly — andwe'relooking for aSeniorProgramManager who has put hardware in orbit and is ready to do it again,fasterand leaner.

This role is for a senior technologist-turned-program-manager: someone with deep roots in systems engineering, spacecraft I&T, or instrument development who has grown into full technical, cost, and schedule ownership of a space mission.You'veledprograms throughearly architectures and trades, major development reviews (SRR,PDR, CDR,etc.), and flight. You know how to lead cross-functional teams of 30 to 200+ people, engage credibly in technical reviews, and make hard trade-offs under real constraints.

Where You'll Make an Impact

• Own full technical, cost, and schedule accountability for spacecraftandsubsystem development
• Lead cross-functional delivery across engineering, manufacturing, supply chain, integration, and test from early development through launch and commissioning
• Develop andmaintainintegrated program plans, IMS, milestones, and delivery commitments to internal stakeholders andexternalcustomers
• Identifyprogram risks, dependencies, and resource constraints — and drive mitigation to closure, not just documentation
• Own customer engagements, milestone reviews (SRR, PDR, CDR, etc.), and internal program reporting
• Bring execution discipline and mission assurance rigidity to a fast-paced, rapidly evolving commercial environment
• Contribute to proposal development and business capture as the company scales its program portfolio

What It Takes

• Bachelor's degree or higher in engineering, physics, or a closely related technical discipline
• 7+ years of project or program management experience on satellite or spacecraft missions, including at least one that reached launch or on-orbit operations
• Technical depth in systems engineering, I&T, or instrument development — enough to engage meaningfully with your engineering team
• Proven ability to lead cross-functional, hardware-intensive programs through formal government or commercial milestone reviews
• Strong experience managing schedules, budgets, and execution trade-offs underreal costand schedule constraints
• Ability tooperateeffectively in a mission-driven, high-accountability environment where outcomes are visible to the customer from day one

Nice-to-Have Experience

• Experience in rapid development, prototype-to-production, or non-traditional acquisition environments
• Proposal development experience — writing or managing competitive responses to government AOs or RFPs
• Familiarity with mission assurance standards, ITAR/export control requirements, and national security mission contexts
• Active U.S. Top Secret or TS/SCI clearance, or clear eligibility to obtain one

What You'll Get

• Leadership — Own execution for a high-visibility national security mission with direct customer accountability
• Impact — Deliver systems that directly support critical space and defense objectives from a company that ships
• Growth — Opportunities to scale programs, build teams, and shape how Quantum Space operates as we move from prototype to production
• Compensation — Competitive base salary, meaningful equity, and top-tier benefits including medical, dental, vision, generous leave, HSA, 401(k) matching, and equity sharing

Location: Rockville, MD or Hawthorne CA

Base Salary: $180,000 to $225,000

Additional Requirements

Tocomply withU.S. Government space technology export regulations, including ITAR, applicants must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident, protected individual per 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.

As set forth in Quantum Space’s Equal Employment Opportunity policy,we do not discriminate on the basis of any protected group status under any applicable law.