Sr. Manager, Program Management - Cost Plus Contracts

Lanteris Space LLC; Palo Alto (CA); Hybrid; USD 163,000 - 271,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid time off

Health insurance

401(k)

Job summary

Lanteris Space LLC in Palo Alto, CA, seeks an experienced program manager to lead the cost-plus accounting and reporting for a NASA development program, ensuring customer satisfaction, financial performance, and contract compliance. Remote within the U.S.

option available. You will partner with NASA and internal teams to design, build, test, and deliver a spacecraft, manage the program baseline, risks, and financials, and pursue follow-on work including CPFF/FFP contracts.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in an engineering or STEM discipline.
• A master’s degree may count as two years of experience.
• An additional four years of experience may be substituted for a degree.
• 10 years of experience including program management of large‑scale engineering/manufacturing programs.
• Experience managing Cost-Plus government contracts (CPFF, CPAF, CPIF) with responsibility for technical, financial, and contractual performance.
• Knowledge of the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR), NASA FAR Supplement (NFS), and government contracting practices.
• Experience managing program financials, including forecasting, funding management, Estimates at Completion (EACs), staffing, and resource planning.
• Experience building trusted customer relationships with U.S. Government agencies.
• Ability to travel in support of customer, supplier, production, or business development meetings (approximately 10-15% travel).

Responsibilities

• Lead execution of cost-plus contract work ensuring achievement of technical, cost, schedule, quality, and customer satisfaction objectives.
• Drive program performance through disciplined risk management and issue resolution.
• Provide leadership across matrixed, cross-functional teams including Engineering, Factory Operations, Finance, Contracts, Supply Chain, Quality, and Business Development to meet customer requirements within baseline budget.
• Manage program technical baseline and Contractual requirements ensuring contractual obligations are satisfied.
• Create & manage program risk management plan that is executable by factory.
• Risk management plan includes technical, cost, and schedule risks with mitigation plans & assigned leaders to execute plans.
• Exhibit professionalism and leadership as the primary focal point to the customer representatives.
• Ensure integrity, responsiveness, and ethical business practices exist in all dealings with the Customer.
• Own the financial performance of the assigned program, including revenue forecasting, funding management, Estimates at Completion (EACs), resource planning, and program profitability.
• Monitor program performance metrics and provide executive leadership with timely assessments of financial health, execution status, and business risks.
• Balance customer objectives with sound business practices to maximize long-term program value.
• Ensure program execution complies with FAR, NFS, contractual requirements, and company policies.
• Oversee preparation and submission of required contractual reports, financial reporting, program deliverables, and executive communications.
• Lead contract modifications, award fee activities, audits, corrective actions, and contract closeout efforts.
• Partner with Contracts, Legal, and Finance to effectively manage contractual obligations and business risk.

Skills

Program management

CPFF/CPAF/CPIF contracts

FAR/NFS knowledge

Risk management

Customer relationship building

Education

Bachelor's degree in engineering or STEM

Master’s degree (count toward experience)

Job description

Lanteris Space is seeking an experienced program manager who will be responsible for the successful leadership and execution of the cost-plus accounting and reporting portion of a complex NASA development program, ensuring exceptional customer satisfaction, financial performance, and contractual compliance. In this role, which is based out of our Palo Alto CA offices but also may be performed remotely within the U.S., you will closely partner with NASA, internal functional organizations, and company leadership to design, build, test, launch, and deliver a spacecraft in orbit that meets all customer requirements. Initially, you will support the Program Manager in execution of the cost-plus accounting and reporting portion of an existing NASA program while supporting efforts to expand the program with justifiable contract modifications reflecting follow‑on scope that contributes to overall mission success. As the organization continues to grow, you will have opportunities to assume broader leadership responsibilities such as serving as Advanced Program Manager for strategic new business opportunities with both Cost-Plus and Firm‑Fixed‑Price (FFP) contracts. The ideal candidate combines exceptional program execution leadership with strong business acumen, government contracting, and the ability to develop trusted customer relationships that drive both mission success and business growth.

Responsibilities

Lead execution of cost-plus contract work ensuring achievement of technical, cost, schedule, quality, and customer satisfaction objectives. Drive program performance through disciplined risk management and issue resolution. Provide leadership across matrixed, cross-functional teams including Engineering, Factory Operations, Finance, Contracts, Supply Chain, Quality, and Business Development to meet customer requirements within baseline budget. Manage program technical baseline and Contractual requirements ensuring contractual obligations are satisfied. Create & manage program risk management plan that is executable by factory. Risk management plan includes technical, cost, and schedule risks with mitigation plans & assigned leaders to execute plans. Exhibit professionalism and leadership as the primary focal point to the customer representatives. Ensure integrity, responsiveness, and ethical business practices exist in all dealings with the Customer. Own the financial performance of the assigned program, including revenue forecasting, funding management, Estimates at Completion (EACs), resource planning, and program profitability. Partner with Finance to develop annual operating plans, staffing strategies, financial forecasts, and mitigation plans for cost and schedule risks. Monitor program performance metrics and provide executive leadership with timely assessments of financial health, execution status, and business risks. Balance customer objectives with sound business practices to maximize long-term program value. Ensure program execution complies with the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR), NASA FAR Supplement (NFS), contractual requirements, and company policies. Oversee preparation and submission of required contractual reports, financial reporting, program deliverables, and executive communications. Lead contract modifications, award fee activities, audits, corrective actions, and contract closeout efforts. Partner with Contracts, Legal, and Finance to effectively manage contractual obligations and business risk.

Minimum Requirements

• Must be a U.S. citizen.
• Bachelor's degree in an engineering or STEM discipline.
• A master’s degree may count as two years of experience.
• An additional four years of experience may be substituted for a degree.
• 10 years of experience including program management of large‑scale engineering/manufacturing programs.
• Experience managing Cost-Plus government contracts (CPFF, CPAF, CPIF) with responsibility for technical, financial, and contractual performance.
• Knowledge of the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR), NASA FAR Supplement (NFS), and government contracting practices.
• Experience managing program financials, including forecasting, funding management, Estimates at Completion (EACs), staffing, and resource planning.
• Experience building trusted customer relationships with U.S. Government agencies.
• Ability to travel in support of customer, supplier, production, or business development meetings (approximately 10-15% travel).

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree or higher in Physics, Engineering, Business Administration, or equivalent.
• Knowledge of commercial space architectures, missions, systems, requirements, and acquisition methods required and be able to strategize unique solutions.
• Experience leading and delivering software development projects.
• Experience with USG proposal development (i.e., color reviews), program execution, and contract change implementation.
• Experience scoping, winning, and profitably leading USG or commercial programs.
• Complex risk management experience with demonstrated results.
• Project Management Professional (PMP) certification.

Salary and Benefits

• The base pay for this position within Colorado is: $142,000.00 - $236,000.00 annually.
• The base pay for this position within New Jersey is: $142,000.00 - $236,000.00 annually.
• The base pay for this position within Delaware is: $142,000.00 - $236,000.00 annually.
• The base pay for this position within the Washington, DC metropolitan area is: $156,000.00 - $260,000.00 annually.
• The base pay for this position within California is: $163,000.00 - $271,000.00 annually.
• For all other states, we use geographic cost of labor as an input to develop market‑driven ranges for our roles, and as such, each location where we hire may have a different range.

• We offer a comprehensive package of benefits including paid time off, health and welfare insurance, and 401(k) to eligible employees.

• This position is incentive eligible with a target based on contribution, company performance, and/or individual results achieved; the specific incentive plan and target amount will be determined based on the role and breadth of contributions.

Lanteris Space Systems values diversity in the workplace and is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religion, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, age, or any other characteristic protected by law.

We comply with disability laws and make reasonable accommodations for applicants with disabilities.

If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, or to otherwise participate in the hiring process.