Senior Program Manager, EO/IR

Muon Space; San Jose (CA); Hybrid; USD 131,000 - 198,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Equity grant

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

401k

Job summary

Muon Space seeks a Senior Program Manager to lead delivery of next-generation Infrared Satellites, owning cost, schedule, and technical performance for a multi-disciplinary team.

The role spans the full lifecycle from preliminary design through on-orbit demonstration, includes interface with customers and subcontractors, and requires on-site presence in San Jose, CA three days per week in a hybrid setup.

Qualifications

• 8+ years of program management of complex technical systems in space/defense
• 5+ years hands-on technical experience in engineering or similar field
• Direct experience with space/aerospace program planning and execution
• Experience managing programs with multiple subcontractors and a complex critical-path supply chain
• Top Secret clearance eligibility; U.S. citizenship (ITAR-restricted)
• Excellent written communication skills; able to author/approve customer-facing deliverables

Responsibilities

• Own the integrated master schedule, cost baseline, and risk register
• Drive the program through design reviews, lab demonstrations, environmental test, and reporting to meet milestones
• Manage boundary between IR&D-funded and customer-funded work within scope, cost, and performance
• Serve as primary customer interface; lead kickoff, reviews, demonstrations, and status reporting
• Author/approve customer deliverables including status reports, design packages, and test plans
• Coordinate with Contracts and Finance on subcontract changes and program reporting

Skills

Program management

Aerospace experience

Customer interface

Risk management

Cross-functional leadership

Job description

About the role

Muon seeks a Senior Program Manager to lead delivery of next-generation Infrared Satellites. This is a high-visibility, high-impact role at the intersection of payload engineering and rapid-cycle space vehicle development.

The Senior PM will be the single accountable owner for delivering the program on cost, schedule, and technical performance — managing a multi-disciplinary internal team, multiple subcontractors, and a critical-path vendor base for focal plane arrays, integrated detector cooler assemblies, cryocoolers, and optics. The role spans a full program lifecycle from preliminary design through on orbit demonstration.

This position is hybrid and requires working on‑site in our San Jose, CA office three days per week.

Responsibilities

• Program Execution
  • Own the integrated master schedule, cost baseline, and risk register
  • Drive the program through preliminary and critical design reviews, sub‑scale lab demonstration assembly, environmental test, and final reporting — meeting all customer milestones and contract data deliverables
  • Manage the boundary between IR&D-funded and customer funded work to ensure each stays within scope, cost ceiling, and period of performance
• Customer Interface
  • Serve as the primary day‑to‑day customer interface — leading kickoff, design reviews, demonstration briefings, and quarterly status reporting
  • Author or approve all customer deliverables including status reports, design review packages, cost reduction and manufacturability analyses, test plans, and the program final report
  • Partner with Muon's Capture and Business Development teams on transition strategy
• Subcontractor and Vendor Management
  • Manage program subcontracts for mission data processing / algorithm development and optical design
  • Coordinate with critical‑path vendors for focal plane arrays, IDCAs, and cryocoolers — across different funded long‑lead procurements
  • Ensure subcontractor cost stays within applicable funding limits and that all subcontract scope, cost, and schedule remain aligned with prime contract commitments
• Technical Leadership and Risk Management
  • Partner closely with the program Principal Investigator and technical leads (payload design, AI&T, optics, electronics, software, mechanisms, thermal, mission systems) to drive technical decision‑making
  • Own and actively work the program risk register, including supply chain, integration, and demonstration‑event risks
  • Drive resolution of cross‑functional issues quickly; elevate to functional and program leadership when needed
• Compliance and Reporting
  • Ensure all program execution complies with contracting requirements, including U.S.-only performance, ITAR/EAR export controls, technical data rights, and CUI handling
  • Coordinate with Contracts and Finance on subcontract changes, invoicing, and program financial reporting

Required Qualifications

• 8+ years of professional experience in program management of complex technical system development, deployment, and operations
• 5+ years of hands‑on technical experience, preferably in an engineering or similar capacity
• Direct experience with space, defense, or aerospace industry program planning and execution
• Demonstrated experience managing programs with multiple subcontractors and a complex critical‑path supply chain
• Prior experience executing rapid‑acquisition contract vehicles for government customers, with familiarity navigating the government program lifecycle, technical data rights, and CDRL management
• Ability to obtain U.S. Top Secret clearance
• U.S. citizenship required (program is ITAR‑restricted)
• Excellent written communication skills — you will be authoring or approving every customer‑facing deliverable on the program

Preferred Qualifications

• TS / SCI clearance
• Direct experience working with SDA, USSF Space Systems Command, MDA, or NRO customer offices
• Prior experience on a missile warning, missile tracking, OPIR, or HBTSS‑class space‑based IR program
• Working knowledge of MWIR sensor architectures, focal plane arrays, IDCAs, and cryocooler integration
• Experience managing programs through environmental test campaigns (TVAC, vibration, EMI/EMC)
• PMP certification or equivalent program management credentials

Salary

The salary range for this role is $131,000 – $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

At 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‑ and 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. 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. We encourage you to apply, even if you don't check all the boxes, and we look forward to reviewing your application! In addition, if you need a reasonable accommodation as part of your application for employment or interviews with us, please let us know.

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.