Program Director

Turion Space • Irvine, CA

2d • $225,000 - $250,000 • Hybrid

About The Position

At Turion Space, we’re on a mission to secure Earth and expand humanity’s reach beyond it. We’re developing spacecraft for national security, in-space servicing, and orbital debris removal. As we prepare for upcoming launches and expand our portfolio of government and commercial programs, we’re looking for a Program Director to drive execution across program portfolios and ensure successful deliveries from concept through launch. This role is based at our Irvine, California headquarters. As a Program Director at Turion, you’ll be responsible for leading a portfolio of programs across their entire lifecycle from proposal, contract negotiations, execution, delivery, and closeout. You’ll work cross-functionally with engineering, supply chain, assembly, integration, and test (AI&T), mission operations, and leadership to manage scope, schedule, budget, and customer communications. A successful candidate will bring experience working with U.S. Government agencies (e.g., DoW, Space Force, NASA) and leading integrated teams. Specifically, this role is targeted in candidates with experience leading complex space programs in the GEO Space Domain Awareness (SpDA) industry and conducting Rendezvous Proximity Operations (RPO).

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering
• 10+ years of experience in program management, mission management, or chief engineering, specifically in the SpDA industry or RPO missions
• Deep technical understanding of spacecraft design executing RPO and Non-Earth Imaging (NEI) of Resident Space Objects (RSOs)
• Proven success managing programs through all lifecycle phases: proposal, capture, planning, execution, delivery, and closeout
• Experience managing prime programs with budgets of $100M+ and teams of 40+ full-time equivalents
• Strong communication, leadership, mentorship, and stakeholder management skills
• Proficient in Microsoft Project or similar scheduling tools
• Ability to obtain and maintain a TS/SCI clearance
• Ability to travel up to 25%

Nice To Haves

• Previous experience working in a high paced startup environment
• Extensive experience in early mission concept definition, full design cycle, AI&T, launch integration, and mission operations
• Prior experience in a chief engineering role highly desired, with an emphasis in systems engineering, mission engineering, mission architect, or astrodynamics
• Experience working on LEO or GEO surveillance, reconnaissance, or NEI programs
• Experience in rapid prototyping and hardware fielding environments
• Active TS/SCI clearance

Responsibilities

• Lead planning, execution, and delivery for a portfolio of spacecraft missions operating in LEO, MEO, GEO, or other orbital regimes against the cost, schedule, and technical baselines
• Serve as the primary interface with government customers, cultivating relationships and representing Turion in all program-related matter
• Build and manage program teams and external supplier relationships to meet contractual and technical requirements
• Develop program execution strategies, master schedules, and detailed program plans, coordinating across all internal functions
• Monitor and report program performance metrics, financials, risks, and opportunities to internal and external stakeholders
• Support proposal development, business capture activities, and contract negotiations
• Drive continuous alignment between customer goals and internal team execution, proactively identifying issues and mitigating risks
• Delegate with programmatic authority while also being a doer who can produce on their own
• Accountable for the portfolio Estimate at Completion (EAC), including Earned Value Management System (EVMS) methodologies

Benefits

• Competitive base salary
• Company stock
• Equity in Turion Space
• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage for employees and their dependents
• 401(k) plan with a 3% Employer Direct Contribution
• Generous vacation days, personal days, sick days, and holidays
• Paid parental leave following the birth of a newborn or adoption
• No-cost Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Opportunities for ongoing internal training, workshops, and courses
• Regular social events, team outings, and company-sponsored activities

What This Job Offers

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