Technical Program Manager, Spacecraft Development

Quantum Space•Rockville, MD

4d•Onsite

About The Position

Quantum Space is redefining mobility and maneuverability in space. Our high-mobility Ranger spacecraft platforms support national security, civil, and commercial missions with unmatched flexibility, propulsion capability, and mission adaptability. We build fast, iterate quickly, and deliver systems that directly support critical space and defense objectives. We are seeking a Senior Technical Program Manager, Spacecraft Development who combines deep aerospace technical expertise with exceptional program execution leadership. This role is ideal for a systems engineer, spacecraft integration lead, or mission architect who has grown into full technical, cost, and schedule ownership of complex spacecraft or payload programs.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Physics, or a related technical discipline
10+ years of experience leading spacecraft, satellite, or aerospace development programs
Direct experience designing, integrating, testing, or operating spacecraft or space systems
Strong technical background in: Systems engineering, Spacecraft integration & test (I&T), Mission architecture, Payload integration
Experience leading hardware-intensive aerospace programs through formal milestone reviews
Strong understanding of: Spacecraft subsystems, Space system architectures, Mission modeling and simulation, Program execution under cost and schedule constraints
Excellent written and verbal communication skills
Ability to engage credibly with customers, executives, and engineering teams
Ability to travel up to 25%

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree or higher in Engineering or related discipline
15+ years of aerospace or space industry experience
Experience supporting National Security Space programs or government customers
Experience with: Satellite constellation analysis and simulation, Electro-optical, RF, infrared, communications, or PNT payloads, Mission assurance and export control requirements (ITAR)
Rapid development or prototype-to-production environments
Proposal development and government capture activities
Familiarity with national security ground systems, networking, tasking, planning, and mission operations architectures
Active U.S. Top Secret or TS/SCI clearance, or eligibility to obtain one

Responsibilities

Own full technical, cost, and schedule accountability for spacecraft, payload, and subsystem development programs
Define, mature, and negotiate mission concepts, including: Payload integration studies, Mission analysis, System architecture trades, Concept of operations development
Lead cross-functional execution across: Systems engineering, Vehicle engineering, Avionics, Software, Propulsion, Thermal, AI&T, Manufacturing and supply chain
Develop and maintain: Integrated master schedules (IMS), Program plans and milestones, Technical documentation and interface requirements, Spacecraft capability and mission architecture documentation
Serve as the primary customer-facing technical and programmatic lead during: Early mission formulation, Technical interchange meetings (TIMs/TEMs), SRR, PDR, CDR, and milestone reviews, Proposal and capture activities
Lead technical negotiations and ensure customer requirements align with Quantum Space capabilities
Identify program risks, dependencies, and resource constraints and drive mitigation plans to closure
Support mission-level engineering activities including: Requirements development, Payload-to-bus compatibility, Architecture studies, Mission assurance planning
Contribute to proposal development, business capture, and growth of the company’s mission portfolio
Bring execution discipline and mission assurance rigor to a fast-paced, rapidly evolving commercial space environment