Satellite Software Program Manager

Loft Orbital Solutions•San Francisco, CA

13h•$130,000 - $170,000

About The Position

Wanna Join the Adventure? Loft Orbital is seeking a Satellite Software Program Manager to lead delivery of flight software and ground software in support of customer contracts. This role operates across matrixed and/or independent product teams, translating customer commitments into executable plans and ensuring software delivery aligns with AI&T (assembly, integration, and test) and spacecraft-level milestones. This is a true program role — accountable for schedule, integration, and delivery, not just coordination. About this role: Software Program Ownership: Own delivery of software scope across customer programs with teams including in Spacecraft Deployment, Software Solutions, Test Infrastructure, Customer Operations Engineer, Embedded Software, and Software Products Translate contract requirements into executable software plans Ensure alignment between software roadmaps and program milestones Planning & Scheduling: Build and maintain software schedules integrated into the program IMS Manage dependencies between software, hardware, AIT, and mission operations Provide inputs to and ensure alignment of sprint-level execution while maintaining long-range delivery credibility Cross-Team Execution: Work effectively with matrixed product personnel, independent functional teams, or dedicated program teams Resolve priority conflicts between product and program needs Ensure software readiness for integration, test, and launch Risk & Delivery Management: Identify software delivery risks early Coordinate mitigation, re-planning, and recovery actions Represent software execution status to customers and leadership Leadership & Influence: Act as a trusted execution partner to software engineering leadership Mentor junior PMs or TPMs Shape how Loft integrates software delivery into overall program execution Software Program Ownership & Customer Interface: Serve as the primary customer interface for software execution, delivery, and readiness Translate customer contractual commitments into executable software plans Ensure software delivery aligns with customer milestones, acceptance criteria, and integration events Represent software execution status in customer reviews and leadership forums Contract Administration for Software Scope: Own contract execution for software-related scope across customer programs Track software deliverables, milestones, and acceptance criteria In coordination with Customer Operations Engineer, perform impact assessments for software scope changes, including cost, schedule, and risk Ensure alignment between product roadmaps and customer contractual commitments Cross-Functional & Commercial Alignment (additive): Work closely with hardware PMs to ensure integrated contract compliance Partner with Legal, Finance, and Product to manage change control and invoicing milestones Ensure customer commitments do not outpace executable capacity

Requirements

7+ years experience managing complex software or software-heavy programs/projects
Experience delivering flight software, ground software, or safety-critical systems
Strong understanding of Agile execution and long-range program planning
Proven ability to operate in matrixed organizations
Experience with the Atlassian product suite (Jira, Confluence, Jira Service Management)

Nice To Haves

Experience with spacecraft flight software
Familiarity with hardware-software integration cycles
Experience managing software delivery across multiple concurrent programs
Proficient with Jira Global Configuration

Responsibilities

Own delivery of software scope across customer programs with teams including in Spacecraft Deployment, Software Solutions, Test Infrastructure, Customer Operations Engineer, Embedded Software, and Software Products
Translate contract requirements into executable software plans
Ensure alignment between software roadmaps and program milestones
Build and maintain software schedules integrated into the program IMS
Manage dependencies between software, hardware, AIT, and mission operations
Provide inputs to and ensure alignment of sprint-level execution while maintaining long-range delivery credibility
Work effectively with matrixed product personnel, independent functional teams, or dedicated program teams
Resolve priority conflicts between product and program needs
Ensure software readiness for integration, test, and launch
Identify software delivery risks early
Coordinate mitigation, re-planning, and recovery actions
Represent software execution status to customers and leadership
Act as a trusted execution partner to software engineering leadership
Mentor junior PMs or TPMs
Shape how Loft integrates software delivery into overall program execution
Serve as the primary customer interface for software execution, delivery, and readiness
Translate customer contractual commitments into executable software plans
Ensure software delivery aligns with customer milestones, acceptance criteria, and integration events
Represent software execution status in customer reviews and leadership forums
Own contract execution for software-related scope across customer programs
Track software deliverables, milestones, and acceptance criteria
In coordination with Customer Operations Engineer, perform impact assessments for software scope changes, including cost, schedule, and risk
Ensure alignment between product roadmaps and customer contractual commitments
Work closely with hardware PMs to ensure integrated contract compliance
Partner with Legal, Finance, and Product to manage change control and invoicing milestones
Ensure customer commitments do not outpace executable capacity

Benefits

100% company-paid medical, dental, and vision insurance option for employees and dependents
Flexible Spending (FSA) and Health Savings (HSA) Accounts offered with an employer contribution to the HSA
100% employer paid Life, AD&D, Short-Term, and Long-Term Disability insurance
Flexible Time Off policy for vacation and sick leave, and 12 paid holidays
401(k) plan and equity options
Daily catered lunches and snacks in office
International exposure to our team in France
Fully paid parental leave; 14 weeks for birthing parent and 10 weeks for non-birthing parent
Carrot Fertility provides comprehensive, inclusive fertility healthcare and family-forming benefits with financial support
Off-sites and many social events and celebrations
Relocation assistance when applicable