Senior Technical Program Manager - Spacecraft Systems

BLUE ORIGIN • Seattle, WA

1d

About The Position

At Blue Origin, we envision millions of people living and working in space for the benefit of Earth. We’re working to develop reusable, safe, and low-cost space vehicles and systems within a culture of safety, collaboration, and inclusion. Join our team of problem solvers as we add new chapters to the history of spaceflight! This role is part of TeraWave, a satellite communications network designed to deliver symmetrical data speeds of up to 6 Tbps anywhere on Earth. This network will service tens of thousands of enterprise, data center, and government users who require reliable connectivity for critical operations. As a Senior Technical Program Manager for Spacecraft Systems, you will lead complex, multi-disciplinary technical programs for Blue Origin's groundbreaking TeraWave initiative. You will drive the planning, execution, and delivery of mission-critical spacecraft systems from concept through production and operation. This role requires exceptional leadership skills to coordinate cross-functional teams across the spacecraft domain, including thermal, propulsion, avionics, structures, GNC, and flight software engineering disciplines. You will be responsible for translating strategic spacecraft system requirements into executable roadmaps that deliver innovative solutions for challenging space environments.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or related technical field
• 10+ years of experience in technical program management for complex spacecraft or satellite systems
• 7+ years of experience managing programs related to satellite development, integration, or operations
• Demonstrated experience with full lifecycle program management for spacecraft systems, from conception through deployment
• Strong understanding of spacecraft systems engineering principles and development methodologies
• Experience with risk management, resource planning, and schedule development for technical aerospace programs
• Proven ability to lead cross-functional spacecraft engineering teams in a complex, matrix organization
• Experience with program budgeting, financial tracking, and resource allocation for spacecraft development
• Excellent communication skills with ability to translate complex spacecraft technical concepts to various audiences

Nice To Haves

• Master's degree or higher in Aerospace Engineering, Systems Engineering, or related field
• Experience with communications satellite systems, payloads, or related technologies
• Background in satellite thermal design, propulsion systems, avionics, structures, GNC, or flight software development
• PMP, PMI-ACP, or equivalent program management certification
• Experience with Agile, Scrum, or hybrid product development methodologies adapted for hardware systems
• Knowledge of verification and validation processes for high-reliability spacecraft systems
• Experience with government contracts or aerospace industry programs
• Background in managing transitions from prototype to production for spacecraft systems
• Experience with spacecraft technical risk assessment and mitigation for first-of-kind systems
• History of successfully delivering complex spacecraft technical programs under challenging constraints
• Experience with AI&T (Assembly, Integration & Test) planning and execution for spacecraft systems
• Familiarity with requirements development and management for spacecraft systems

Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end program management for TeraWave spacecraft systems, ensuring alignment with business objectives, technical requirements, and mission success criteria
• Create and maintain comprehensive program plans, schedules, and resource allocations across multiple spacecraft engineering disciplines
• Coordinate complex dependencies between spacecraft subsystem teams, including thermal, propulsion, avionics, structures, GNC, and flight software to ensure synchronized development and integration
• Drive technical decision-making processes for spacecraft architecture and system solutions that optimize performance, reliability, and manufacturability
• Establish program governance frameworks for spacecraft development, including key metrics, milestone tracking, and executive reporting mechanisms
• Proactively identify, assess, and mitigate program risks through structured risk management processes specific to spacecraft systems
• Lead technical reviews and milestone assessments for spacecraft systems, ensuring compliance with program requirements and quality standards
• Represent spacecraft systems programs to senior leadership, customers, and external stakeholders, effectively communicating technical concepts and program status
• Collaborate with engineering leads to optimize spacecraft development cycles, integration processes, and testing protocols
• Guide teams through technical challenges in spacecraft thermal management, propulsion systems, avionics architecture, structural design, and flight software development
• Drive continuous improvement in program management methodologies and spacecraft engineering processes
• Oversee integration of spacecraft systems with broader TeraWave satellite communications infrastructure
• Manage vendor relationships and third-party integrations critical to spacecraft systems capabilities

Benefits

• Medical, dental, vision, basic and supplemental life insurance, paid parental leave, short and long-term disability, 401(k) with a company match of up to 5%, and an Education Support Program.
• Paid Time Off: Up to four (4) weeks per year based on weekly scheduled hours, and up to 14 company-paid holidays.

What This Job Offers

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