Program Planner, U.S. Government Programs

York Space Systems • Greenwood Village, CO

11d • $70,000 - $100,000 • Onsite

About The Position

York Space Systems is seeking a highly motivated and results-oriented Program Planner to support critical satellite missions for U.S. government customers. In this fast-paced environment, the Planner works directly with Program Managers, gaining hands-on experience by tackling daily operational challenges, coordinating cross-functional teams, and making rapid, data-driven decisions that drive mission success. This role is ideal for an aspiring Program Planner looking to take the next step and absorb the "get it done" culture of a high-growth defense startup. This role will be fully on-site in our Greenwood Village, Colorado office.

Requirements

• 3+ years of relevant experience in project planning within a fast-paced, high-tech, or defense environment.
• Bachelor’s degree required.
• Strong technical aptitude or fluency regarding the satellite development lifecycle, from system design to testing phases.
• Proven ability to break down complex problems into manageable tasks and coordinate teams to deliver solutions quickly and effectively.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Project scheduling and analysis.
• Strong oral and written communication skills.
• Must be a U.S. Citizen and either hold or be able to obtain a U.S. government security clearance, often at the TS/SCI level.
• Willingness to work full-time in office in Greenwood Village, CO.

Nice To Haves

• Experience supporting programs for DoD or other government agencies is highly valued.
• Prior hands-on experience in satellite or space system operations/testing.
• Experience in a high-growth startup environment is highly valued.
• Familiarity or experience with modern Agile methodologies (e.g., Scrum, SAFe) applied to hardware.
• CAM and Agile Project Management certifications preferred.

Responsibilities

• Assist in managing the schedules for entire program lifecycle from contract negotiation support through design, build, test, and on-orbit operations, focusing on efficient delivery timelines that challenge traditional aerospace schedules.
• Identify no/low-cost solutions to keep the program on track and support the challenge of lengthy engineering solutions to drive efficient changes.
• Assist in implementing and evolving agile program planning methodologies that adapt to changing customer needs.
• Own and maintain key schedule performance metrics, tracking progress and program health with real-time data visualization tools.
• Analyze data trends to identify and proactively mitigate program risks, communicating insights across the team and to the Program Manager.
• Support budget management efforts, track program milestones, and assist in maintaining program financial targets with a constant focus on increasing efficiency.
• Coordinate schedules with cross-functional integrated teams of engineers and operators (engineering, production, finance, and supply chain).
• Absorb institutional knowledge from the Program Management team and embody the company’s high-performance, ownership-driven culture.
• Facilitate clear communication of complex technical and programmatic information between engineers, the Program Manager, and diverse internal/external stakeholders across both unclassified/classified environments.
• Contribute to proposals for future satellite missions.
• Find creative and no/low-cost recommendations to keep your program on track.
• Challenge lengthy or difficult engineering solutions for the team to drive towards effective and efficient changes.
• Translate projected forecasts, incoming volume, and work scopes into a production plan with a time-phased build schedule.
• Work with customer base to determine weekly inbound forecast and develop models to improve accuracy.
• Identify key performance indicators of forecast accuracy that align with key program milestones.
• Ensure the interaction of a firm’s functional managers, and track and maintain the forecast through timely and accurate feedback.
• Schedule demand based on the product mix and provide accurate commitment dates to customer service team across multiple programs.
• Create and manage schedules for programs and summarize them at the enterprise level.
• Collaborate with Program Managers to identify resources (human and physical) that are necessary for each program.
• Help to identify and mitigate risks, look across programs to identify systemic challenges and solution development.
• Develop strong relationships across the organization through effective communication.
• Facilitate communication and acceptance of key milestones across the organization using graphics and data products.
• Engage with program managers effectively through strong presentation and interpersonal skills.
• Support program managers in customer or supplier engagement if requested.
• Identify opportunities for continuous improvement across the program management organization.
• Other Duties as Assigned.

Benefits

• 100% employer-paid medical, dental, and vision insurance (subject to spousal surcharge).
• Company holidays, floating holidays, and sick time.
• Unlimited PTO.
• Generous 401(k) match.

What This Job Offers

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