Senior Director, LEO Programs

Viasat, Inc. • Tempe, AZ

11d • Onsite

About The Position

The LEO Programs organization is responsible for the successful execution and delivery of Viasat’s Low Earth Orbit satellite, payload, constellation, and space infrastructure programs. The Senior Director, LEO Programs is the senior program leader accountable for delivering objectives across cost, schedule, technical performance, quality, mission success, and customer satisfaction.

The role establishes and leads a scalable program execution organization supporting multiple concurrent spacecraft and payload development efforts. It directly leads program management professionals and delivery leads responsible for execution across engineering, supply chain, manufacturing, integration and test, launch, and operational readiness.

As a member of the Space Infrastructure leadership team, the Senior Director defines execution strategies, establishes governance frameworks, drives cross-functional alignment, and develops organizational capabilities for a growing portfolio of LEO programs. The role works closely with Engineering, Mission Assurance, Manufacturing & AI&T, Supply Chain, Space Access & Operations, Finance, and Business Operations. This is a site-based role requiring employees to work 3 or more days (60%+) per week from a Viasat office or work location within a standard five-day workweek.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Systems Engineering, Physics, Program Management, or a related technical discipline.
• 10 or more years of experience leading complex aerospace, defense, satellite, spacecraft, or space systems development programs.
• Experience leading large, cross-functional development programs from concept through deployment and operational readiness while meeting budget and schedule commitments.
• Demonstrated success leading multidisciplinary teams across engineering, manufacturing, integration and test, supply chain, quality, and operations organizations.
• Experience managing program cost, schedule, technical performance, contractual deliverables, and customer relationships.
• Experience building and leading program organizations in complex technical environments.
• Strong understanding of spacecraft development, payload development, systems engineering, manufacturing, integration and test, and launch activities.
• Excellent communication, leadership, negotiation, and stakeholder management skills.
• Ability to influence and align senior leaders across multiple organizations.

Nice To Haves

• Experience leading LEO satellite, constellation, payload, or space infrastructure programs.
• Experience supporting both government and commercial space customers.
• Earned Value Management (EVM) experience.
• PMP certification or equivalent program management credential.
• Experience leading programs through launch, on-orbit commissioning, and operational acceptance.
• Experience scaling teams and organizational processes during periods of rapid business growth.

Responsibilities

• Lead execution of one or more LEO satellite, payload, constellation, and space infrastructure programs from concept through deployment and operational handover.
• Serve as the single accountable leader for program cost, schedule, technical performance, contractual commitments, quality, and mission success.
• Build, lead, and scale the LEO Programs organization to support current and future business growth.
• Direct Technical Project Managers, Supplier Delivery Leads, Subsystem Delivery Leads, Program Controls personnel, Configuration Management personnel, and other program execution functions.
• Establish organizational structures, roles, responsibilities, and operating models for delivering multiple concurrent programs.
• Develop and maintain program execution strategies, integrated schedules, staffing plans, budgets, forecasts, and resource plans.
• Establish program governance frameworks, execution standards, review processes, reporting structures, and operating rhythms.
• Drive execution across engineering, manufacturing, integration and test, mission assurance, supply chain, launch, and mission operations functions.
• Lead customer, executive, design, milestone, readiness, and contractual program reviews.
• Manage program risks, opportunities, issues, dependencies, and corrective actions effectively.
• Oversee supplier and subcontractor execution to achieve delivery, schedule, quality, and cost objectives.
• Balance resources and priorities across program activities while maintaining alignment with business objectives.
• Partner with functional leaders to resolve cross-functional execution challenges and remove organizational barriers.
• Drive program performance using program metrics, forecasting, earned value management, and operational reviews.
• Lead program recovery activities when required, establishing corrective action plans and driving them to closure.
• Develop future program leadership talent through coaching, mentorship, succession planning, and organizational development.
• Continuously improve program management tools, processes, governance, and best practices across the organization.

Benefits

• Additional cash or stock incentives may be provided as part of the compensation package.
• Medical, financial, and/or other benefits, dependent on the position offered.
• Benefits focused on holistic health and wellness.

What This Job Offers

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