Senior Program Manager, Classified Space Programs

Muon Space; Washington, Aurora (District of Columbia, CO); On-site; USD 158,000 - 198,000; Full time

Job summary

Muon Space in the United States is seeking a Senior Program Manager to lead classified space programs for Government national security customers. You will own the program's cost, schedule and technical baselines and be the primary interface to the Government customer team.

This role requires cross‑functional leadership across systems engineering, payload, flight software, ground processing and mission operations, while ensuring ITAR/EAR compliance and strict handling of sensitive information.

Qualifications

• 8+ years of program management on complex aerospace or defense programs.
• Active U.S. Top Secret/SCI clearance, or Top Secret with SCI eligibility.
• U.S. citizenship is required (ITAR-restricted).
• Experience executing U.S. Government contracts: SOW, CDRLs, milestones.
• Experience operating in cleared/classified environments and facilities.
• Domain experience with remote sensing systems (EO/IR or RF) at payload or mission level.

Responsibilities

• Own the program's cost, schedule, and technical baselines.
• Manage the integrated master schedule, cost baseline, and risk register.
• Plan and run formal program events and milestone reviews.
• Interface with Government customer and technical reps; deliverables (CDRLs).
• Direct cross-functional teams across systems engineering, payload, flight software, ground processing, and mission operations.
• Ensure ITAR/EAR compliance and strict handling of sensitive information.

Skills

Program management

Top Secret/SCI clearance

U.S. citizenship

Government contracts

Classified environments

Remote sensing EO/IR RF

Job description

About the role

Muon Space is seeking a Senior Program Manager to lead classified space programs for U.S. Government national security customers. These programs span the full mission lifecycle — concept development and design through integration, launch, and on-orbit operations — and are executed under formal government contract structures with defined deliverables and milestones. The Senior Program Manager runs the program end to end: executing every contractual commitment and positioning Muon to win the work that follows. You will be the single accountable owner for cost, schedule, and technical performance, and the primary programmatic and technical interface to the Government customer team. This is a senior, high-autonomy role: milestone-driven deliverables on a fast contractual clock, technical exchanges at multiple classification levels, and cross-functional leadership across systems engineering, payload, flight software, ground segment, and mission operations. Because the program operates under strict security requirements, the Senior Program Manager also owns the discipline that keeps execution — and everything said about it — inside those boundaries.

Responsibilities

Serve as the single accountable owner for the program's cost, schedule, and technical baselines. Own the integrated master schedule, cost baseline, and risk register; track and report progress against contract milestones. Plan and run formal program events — initiation reviews, in-process reviews, and milestone deliverable reviews. Maintain tight cost and schedule discipline; surface deviations to the customer promptly and with a recovery plan.

Act as the primary programmatic and technical interface to the Government customer, including contracting and technical representatives. Lead technical exchange meetings at the appropriate classification levels and convert customer input into actionable program direction. Own the delivery and quality of all contract data deliverables (CDRLs).

Direct a cross-functional team spanning systems engineering, payload, flight software, ground processing, and mission operations. Partner with mission operations when program activities involve Muon's operational systems — without disrupting existing missions. Drive design trades and study conclusions to closure on schedule, escalating crisply when decisions stall.

Execute the program in full compliance with its government security requirements, including handling of controlled and classified information and strict public-release restrictions. Ensure compliance with ITAR/EAR export controls and U.S.-only performance requirements. Support program growth: convert program artifacts into proposal-ready material and support capture of follow-on opportunities.

Required Qualifications

8+ years of program management experience on complex aerospace or defense development programs, including direct ownership of cost, schedule, and technical baselines. Active U.S. Top Secret/SCI clearance, or a current Top Secret clearance with recent SCI eligibility. U.S. citizenship required (program is ITAR-restricted). Experience executing U.S. Government contracts: statement-of-work and CDRL deliverables, milestone-based structures, and day-to-day work with government contracting and technical representatives. Experience running programs in classified environments, including work in cleared facilities and ownership of program security requirements. Domain experience with remote sensing systems — EO/IR, RF, or both — at the payload or mission level.

Salary

The salary range for this role is $158,000 - $198,000, plus a competitive equity grant and comprehensive benefits package. Final compensation will be determined based on skills, qualifications, experience, and geographic location as assessed during the interview process.

About Muon Space

Founded in 2021, Muon Space is an end-to-end Space Systems Provider that designs, builds, and operates LEO satellite constellations delivering mission-critical data. Our revolutionary, integrated technology stack enables customers to optimize every dimension of their missions for faster time-to-orbit and superior constellation remote sensing performance. Our state-of-the-art facility in the heart of Silicon Valley is optimized for manufacturing spacecraft and rapid, flexible payload integration at scale. From climate monitoring to national security, Muon Space is dedicated to delivering Earth Intelligence for a safer and more resilient world.

Taking Care of Our Team

Muon salary is only part of our total compensation package. In addition to salary, full-time employees receive equity compensation as well as benefits including medical, dental, and vision insurance, a 401k retirement plan, short & long term disability and life insurance. We also offer three weeks paid vacation for new employees, along with 12 paid holidays, unlimited sick time and paid parental leave. Our mission embraces the entire planet and we believe our team should too.

Our Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion

Muon is dedicated to creating a diverse and dynamic company and workforce. We believe in equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, age, national origin, citizenship, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, or gender identity. We value diversity in the workplace, and that starts with our applicants.

ITAR/EAR Requirements

This position requires access to export controlled information. To conform to U.S. Government export regulations applicable to that information, applicant must either be (A) a U.S. person, defined as a (i) U.S. citizen or national, (ii) U.S. lawful, permanent resident (green card holder), (iii) refugee under 8 U.S.C. § 1157, or (iv) asylee under 8 U.S.C. § 1158, (B) eligible to access the export controlled information without a required export authorization, or (C) eligible and reasonably likely to obtain the required export authorization from the applicable U.S. government agency. The Company may, for legitimate business reasons, decline to pursue any export licensing process.