Components Product Manager II Emphasis on Reaction Wheels

Blue Canyon Technologies • Boulder, CO

3d • Onsite

About The Position

Blue Canyon Technologies, RTX's small satellite manufacturer and mission services provider, is solving some of the toughest challenges in space. Our components and bus platforms have completed missions ranging from very-low Earth orbits to lunar and interplanetary journeys at a fraction of the cost of traditional space systems. We support premier defense, commercial and civil organizations including the U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory, NASA, MIT Lincoln Lab, the Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory, University of Colorado and more. Join our innovative and dynamic company as we build, test and operate the small spacecraft of the future. This role contains elements of Product and Program Management. The individual supports the strategic, execution, and financial leadership of a defined product line. Partnered with a technical lead, the role drives the full product lifecycle in direct alignment with market dynamics, customer needs, and business growth objectives. This position leads the BCT Reaction Wheel product line, a flight-proven actuator system purpose-built for the rapidly growing small spacecraft market. BCT is looking for an individual with an entrepreneurial mindset that includes a sharp business mind and a proven ability to strategize and manage the implementation of product line initiatives. This isn't a role for someone who waits to be told what to do. You'll bring an outside the box mindset, sharp commercial instincts, and the conviction to tell the business what it needs to hear. You thrive at the intersection of customer execution and business strategy, and you know how to translate that into product decisions that win in the market. You're equally comfortable negotiating with customers, setting product roadmap priorities, and pulling cross-functional teams toward a common goal. This role blends the discipline of aerospace Program Management with the growth-oriented mindset of a New Space product leader. This Product Manager II position provides a progression path from tactical program execution (Program Manager Level I) toward strategic product ownership (Senior level), with increasing responsibility for product line performance and team leadership.

Requirements

• 3-7 years of relevant experience in program management and/or product management
• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, Science, Business Administration, or related fields
• Demonstrated Space hardware program manager experience.
• Experience with all phases of the product life cycle (business development, concept formulation, requirements flow-down, manufacturing, integration and test, and post-delivery support)
• Strong understanding of systems engineering principles and all elements of the product lifecycle
• Demonstrated ability to lead cross-functional teams and execute without direct authority.
• Strong PMO and financial acumen (cost structures, risk and opportunities, return on investment)
• Experience supporting customer proposals/bids.
• Demonstrated soft skills to work with large/small and domestic/international customers within a rapidly changing environment with minimal supervision.
• Must be able to work in a highly collaborative, fast-paced environment with emphasis on rapid prototyping and fielding of capabilities
• Demonstrated leadership, time management, facilitation, and organizational skills
• Proficiency in project management tools and methodologies
• The ability to prepare clearly summarize meeting notes, prepare customer deliverables, and cross-functional PowerPoint presentations at the team and management level.
• 0-5 years of relevant experience in program management, product management, or aerospace industry
• Bachelor’s degree in engineering. Science, Business Administration, or related fields
• Experience managing customer contracts, programs, or projects
• The ability to prepare clearly summarize meeting notes, prepare customer deliverables, and cross-functional PowerPoint presentations.
• Strong organizational and communication skills
• Ability to coordinate across multiple functional teams
• Proficiency in project management tools and methodologies
• Must be able to work in a highly collaborative, fast-paced environment with emphasis in rapid prototyping and fielding of capabilities

Nice To Haves

• Related technical experience may be considered in lieu of education
• Related experience may be considered in lieu of education
• Experience in the aerospace or small spacecraft industry
• Familiarity with flight hardware or actuator systems
• PMP or similar program management certification
• Experience with government contracts and compliance requirements
• Understanding of systems engineering and technical management skills and demonstrated ability to grow new business opportunities and execute demanding flight programs
• Ability to work rapidly with minimal supervision on projects involving both small and large engineering teams
• Previous experience and skills in project definition, simulation, implementation, lab integration and test

Responsibilities

• Manage component contracts independently with domestic and international customers
• Manage cross-functional activities such as contract negotiations, scope discrepancies, and/or performance expectations.
• Serve as primary point of contact for assigned customer contracts
• Monitor and implement action plans associated with product line performance KPIs such as cost per unit, on-time delivery, first pass yield, etc.
• Manage product transitions, obsolescence, and end of life planning.
• Maintain the product line vision and roadmap as dictated by the technical lead and the leadership team.
• Align these items across the business such that they align with company financial and technical objectives.
• Lead cross functional teams across engineering, operations, supply chain, quality, and finance to increase the robustness and on-time delivery performance metrics
• Manage product line Risk and Opportunities
• Forecast, then own product line budgets inclusive of any IRAD efforts with oversight from the leadership team
• Support the business case for new product initiatives, changes to customer value proposition, and hardware market positioning.
• Independently manage customer relationships while serving as their voice within the business.
• Support customer communications and serve as their advocate within the organization
• Collaborate with sales team on customer engagement activities
• Work closely with customers to help refine their needs and provide innovative and competitive solutions with existing products
• Ensure all business is conducted using the highest ethical standards and in compliance with all applicable laws, statutes, and regulations as well as company policies and directives
• Provide mentorship opportunities to more junior PMs
• Manage component contracts with domestic and international customers with support from the leadership team and the Product Manager
• Support contract negotiations and coordinate resolution of scope discrepancies and performance expectations
• Track and report cost and schedule performance on assigned contracts
• Serve as primary point of contact for assigned customer contracts
• Other duties as assigned
• Coordinate cross-functional activities across engineering, operations, supply chain, quality, and finance to support on-time delivery
• Monitor and report on product line performance KPIs such as cost per unit, on-time delivery, and first pass yield
• Support implementation of action plans to improve production metrics
• Assist with product transitions and end-of-life planning activities
• Assist with product line forecasting and budget tracking
• Support pricing analysis and business case development for product initiatives
• Contribute to risk and opportunity identification and management
• Ensure all business activities comply with ethical standards, applicable laws, and company policies
• Strengthening new and existing customer relationships with the business
• Support customer communications and serve as their advocate within the organization
• Collaborate with sales team on customer engagement activities
• Participate in knowledge sharing and team collaboration activities

Benefits

• Employer sponsored health, dental, and vision benefits effective the first of the month following hire date
• Life insurance
• 401k (matching 4% with a minimum 5% contribution)
• Generous PTO (3 weeks of vacation + 3 floating holidays, 2 weeks of sick time, 7 paid holidays throughout the year) and parental leave

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level