Senior Technical Program Manager San Jose, CA

Muon Space inc; San Jose (CA); Remote; USD 175,000 - 208,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Equity compensation

Medical insurance

401(k) retirement plan

Paid vacation and holidays

Job summary

Muon Space inc in San Jose, CA, is seeking a Senior Technical Program Manager to lead the delivery of next-generation Infrared Satellites. The role entails managing a multidisciplinary team and ensuring cost, schedule, and technical performance.

The ideal candidate will possess over 8 years of program management experience and must be able to obtain a U.S. Top Secret clearance. Benefits include a competitive salary range of $175,000 - $208,000, equity grant, and comprehensive health benefits.

Qualifications

• 8+ years of professional experience in program management of complex technical systems.
• 5+ years of hands-on technical experience, preferably in an engineering capacity.
• Direct experience with space or aerospace industry programs.

Responsibilities

• Own the integrated master schedule, cost baseline, and risk register.
• Serve as the primary customer interface and lead program reviews.
• Manage program subcontracts and vendor relationships.

Skills

Program management experience

Technical experience in engineering

Communication skills

Experience with multiple subcontractors

Ability to obtain U.S. Top Secret clearance

Education

8+ years of professional experience in program management

5+ years of hands-on technical experience

Tools

Project Management Professional (PMP) certification

Job description

Muon seeks a Senior Technical 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 TPM 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 — 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

The salary range for this role is $175,000 - $208,000, 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.

Benefits

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 401(k) 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.

We are 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. If you need a reasonable accommodation as part of your application for employment or interviews with us, please let us know.

This position requires access to export‑controlled information. To conform to U.S. Government export regulations applicable to that information, applicants must be a U.S. person as defined above.