Technical Program Manager, Satellite

Xona Space; Burlingame (CA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Xona Space Systems, Inc. is seeking a Technical Program Manager, Satellite, to lead program execution across bus and payload subsystems.

You will work closely with the program lead and engineering teams to keep a complex hardware program on track, owning key workstreams and driving coordination across multiple teams. You will have meaningful ownership of the development lifecycle, with opportunities to influence how program management operates as Xona scales.

Qualifications

• 3–5 years of experience in technical program management or related roles for complex hardware/software programs.
• Experience supporting hardware, embedded software, systems integration, testing, and external suppliers.

Responsibilities

• Satellite Schedule Management: maintain and drive the development schedule across bus subsystems and payload.
• Cross-Functional Coordination: align avionics, RF/payload, ground software, and production teams.
• Supplier & Partner Coordination: track bus-vendor and payload-supplier deliverables.
• Risk & Issue Resolution: maintain risk register and escalate blockers with context and options.
• Program Reporting: provide regular status updates on schedule health and milestones.
• Meeting & Action Management: organize working sessions and drive decisions to closure.
• Process Improvement: contribute to lightweight program-management processes as the team scales.

Skills

Systems thinking

Schedule management

Cross-functional coordination

Risk management

Clear communication

Tools

Wrike

MS Project

Smartsheet

Jira

Job description

Xona is the navigational intelligence company bringing real-time, centimeter-level certainty to any device, anywhere on Earth.

With Pulsar – the world’s most advanced PNT satellite infrastructure in Low Earth Orbit – Xona will offer a future-proof, backwards-compatible global positioning system optimized for absolute precision, superior power, and robust protection.

Role Overview

As Technical Program Manager, Satellite, you’ll support the execution of our satellite program across bus and payload, working closely with our program lead and engineering teams to keep a complex, fast-moving hardware program on track. You’ll own key program management workstreams, drive coordination across teams, and build deep familiarity with the hardware and development lifecycle.

You’ll have meaningful ownership, proximity to the hardware, and the opportunity to contribute to how program management operates as Xona scales. If you want to work closely with engineering teams, help drive a complex hardware program forward, and contribute to something genuinely new in space, this role is for you!

Responsibilities

• Satellite Schedule Management: Maintain and drive the satellite development schedule across bus subsystems (power, GNC, structure) and payload (electrical, antennas, RF). Track progress against milestones, manage dependencies and critical-path items, and flag schedule risks early.

• Cross-Functional Coordination: Coordinate across avionics, RF/payload, ground software, and production teams -- translating technical progress into shared plans, clear accountability, and actionable next steps.

• Supplier & Partner Coordination: Work alongside the Supply Chain team and technical leads to track bus-vendor and payload-supplier deliverables, follow up on open items, and help keep external commitments synchronized with internal milestones.

• Risk & Issue Resolution: Maintain the risk register and issue tracker, surface risks early, and work directly with technical leads to resolve blockers before they affect the schedule. Escalate material issues to the program lead with context, impact, and a recommended path forward.

• Program Reporting: Prepare and deliver regular satellite program-status updates to leadership, maintaining a clear and accurate picture of schedule health, milestone progress, open risks, action items, and upcoming decisions.

• Meeting & Action Management: Organize and facilitate program working sessions and cross-functional meetings; capture decisions and action items; and drive follow-through to closure.

• Process Improvement: Help develop and improve lightweight, effective program-management processes suited to a small team moving quickly. Contribute ideas and practical improvements as the company scales.

Required Qualifications

• 3–5 years of experience in technical program management, project management, systems engineering, engineering operations, or a related role supporting complex hardware and/or software development.

• Experience supporting a technical development program involving hardware, embedded software, systems integration, testing, manufacturing, and/or external suppliers.

• Strong systems-thinking and organizational skills, with the ability to track interdependencies across mechanical, electrical, software, and integration workstreams while maintaining focus on the critical path.

• Demonstrated ability to build and maintain schedules, track risks and action items, and communicate program health clearly.

• Proactive and self-directed: you identify gaps, keep work moving, and know when to seek input or escalation.

• Clear communicator who can work credibly with engineers and summarize status cleanly for leadership.

• Comfortable operating in a fast-paced, evolving environment with lightweight processes and shifting priorities.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience supporting a satellite, spacecraft, launch-vehicle, aerospace, defense, robotics, telecommunications, or similarly complex hardware program.

• Familiarity with satellite bus subsystems, RF communications, GNSS, PNT systems, navigation payloads, or mission operations.

• Exposure to the hardware development lifecycle, including design reviews such as PDR/CDR, integration, test, manufacturing, and launch or operational readiness.

• Experience coordinating deliverables with suppliers, vendors, or technical partners.

• Proficiency with scheduling tools such as Wrike, MS Project, Smartsheet, Jira, or similar.

• PMP, CAPM, Agile, or other PM certifications are nice to have, but not a substitute for practical program execution experience.

For U.S. Roles:

To comply with U.S. Government space technology export regulations, applicant must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the United States (i.e. Green Card holder), or other protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3).

For U.K. Roles:

To comply with U.K. regulations, this role requires Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) checks, and successful candidates must be eligible to obtain UK Security Clearance (SC).

For Canada Roles:

Successful candidates must obtain and hold a security clearance at the reliability status level, and pass security assessment for the Canadian Controlled Goods Program (CGP) and ITAR.

We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or veteran status.