Senior Technical Program Manager, Earth Observation

Muonspace; San Jose (CA); Hybrid; USD 206,000 - 232,000; Full time

Job summary

Muon Space is seeking a Senior Technical Program Manager to lead earth observation programs for U.S. Government customers, from concept through design, integration, launch and on-orbit operations.

You will coordinate across systems engineering, payload, flight software, ground processing and mission operations, in a high-visibility role at Muon's San Jose office. The role demands end-to-end program delivery on schedule and within budget, formal readiness and milestone reviews with the customer,

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in engineering or technical field or equivalent experience.
• 8+ years of program management on complex aerospace/defense programs with cost/schedule/technical baselines ownership.
• Experience executing U.S. Government contracts: SOW, CDRLs, milestone-based structures, and working with contracting/technical reps.
• Experience leading engineering teams through concept development, trade studies, and preliminary design.
• Exceptional written communication for customer-facing reports and contract deliverables.

Responsibilities

• Own the program's cost, schedule, and technical baselines as the accountable owner.
• Maintain integrated master schedule, cost baseline, and risk register; report progress vs milestones.
• Plan and run formal program events and reviews with the customer.
• Direct cross-functional teams across systems engineering, payload, flight software, ground processing, and mission operations.

Skills

Program management

Government contracts

Systems engineering

Cross-functional leadership

Technical communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in engineering

PMP certification

Job description

About the role

Muon seeks a Senior Technical Program Manager (TPM) to lead earth observation programs for U.S. Government customers. This is a high-visibility, high-impact role at the intersection of payload engineering and rapid-cycle space vehicle development. 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 TPM runs the program end to end: executing every contractual commitment and positioning Muon to win the work that follows.

The Senior TPM holds single-point accountability for delivering the program on schedule, within budget, and to technical performance standards. Operating with high autonomy on an accelerated contractual schedule, you will drive key milestones and lead cross-functional technical exchanges spanning systems engineering, payload, flight software, ground segment, and mission operations.

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

Responsibilities

Program Execution

• 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 — internal readiness reviews, and customer-facing milestone deliverable reviews
• Maintain tight cost and schedule discipline; surface deviations to the customer promptly and with a recovery plan

Customer Interface

• Act as the primary programmatic interface to the Government customer, including contracting and technical representatives
• Lead technical exchange meetings and convert customer input into actionable program direction
• Own the delivery and quality of all contract data deliverables

Cross-Functional Leadership

• 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

Security, Compliance, and Growth

• Execute the program in full compliance with its government security requirements, including handling of controlled 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

• Bachelor's degree in engineering or a technical field, or equivalent experience.
• 8+ years of program management experience on complex aerospace or defense development programs, including direct ownership of cost, schedule, and technical baselines
• 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 leading engineering teams through concept development, trade studies, and preliminary design
• Exceptional written communication skills — you will author and own the quality of customer-facing reports, design artifacts, and contract deliverables

Preferred Qualifications

• Satellite or instrument program leadership across the full lifecycle (design, build, integrate, test, operate)
• Domain experience with remote sensing systems — EO/IR, RF, or both — at the payload or mission level
• Direct experience working with USSF Space Systems Command or JPL
• PMP certification or equivalent program management credentials
• Ability to obtain a security clearance

Salary

The salary range for this role is $206,000 - $232,000,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 & 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.

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.