Senior Program Manager, Missile Warning & Tracking
About the role
Muon Space seeks a Senior Program Manager to lead delivery of next-generation satellites for national security missions, including missile warning and tracking. This is a high-visibility, high-impact role at the intersection of payload engineering and rapid-cycle space vehicle development.
The Senior PM is the accountable owner for delivering the program on cost, schedule, and technical performance. You will manage a multi-disciplinary internal team, subcontractors, and a critical-path vendor base for EO/IR payloads, algorithm development, avionics, and space vehicle builds. The role spans the full program lifecycle: design reviews, hardware build, integration and environmental test, launch, and on-orbit operations.
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, payload and spacecraft integration, environmental test, launch, and on-orbit demonstration, meeting customer milestones and contract deliverables
Manage scope, cost, and period of performance against contract milestones and payment events
Lead day-to-day execution of the program team to the contract, running the weekly program cadence, internal design reviews, and readiness reviews; provide status and briefing content to the Mission Manager, who is the customer interface
Own the preparation and quality of contract deliverables, including status reports, design review packages, technical and cost data, test plans, and final reports, for delivery to the customer
Partner with the Mission Manager and Muon's Capture and Business Development teams on follow-on strategy
Subcontractor and Vendor Management
Manage program subcontracts, including mission data processing and algorithm development
Coordinate critical-path vendors for detectors, focal plane arrays, cooler assemblies, and optics across long-lead procurements
Keep subcontract scope, cost, and schedule aligned with prime contract commitments
Technical Leadership and Risk Management
Partner closely with the lead systems engineer and technical leads (payload design, AI&T, optics, electronics, software, mechanisms, thermal, mission systems) to drive technical decisions
Own and actively work the program risk register, including supply chain, integration, launch, and demonstration risks
Resolve cross-functional issues quickly and escalate to functional and program leadership when needed
Compliance and Reporting
Ensure program execution complies with contract requirements, including U.S.-only performance, ITAR/EAR export controls, technical data rights, security requirements, 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 or technical management of complex technical system development, deployment, and operations
5+ years of hands-on technical experience, preferably in an engineering or similar capacity, or direct ownership of a hardware development effort through design reviews to a tested product
Direct experience with space, defense, or aerospace program planning and execution
Demonstrated experience managing programs with multiple subcontractors and a complex critical-path supply chain
Experience executing rapid-acquisition or prototype agreements for government customers, with familiarity navigating the government program lifecycle, technical data rights, and contract deliverables
Active Secret U.S. security clearance
U.S. citizenship required (Clearance required and program is ITAR-restricted)
Excellent written communication skills; you will author or approve the program's contract deliverables
Preferred Qualifications
Active Top Secret or TS/SCI clearance
Prior experience on a missile warning, missile tracking, missile defense, or similar space-based infrared program
Working knowledge of EO/IR sensor architectures, focal plane arrays, and cryocooler integration
Working knowledge of missile warning data products and techniques for detection and tracking
Experience managing programs through environmental test campaigns (TVAC, vibration, EMI/EMC)
Experience with launch integration and early on-orbit operations
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.