Software Program Manager

Space Dynamics Laboratory•Colorado Springs, CO

2d•$177,000 - $210,000

About The Position

Space Dynamics Laboratory (SDL) is seeking an experienced, detail-oriented advanced-career Software Program Manager for its Strategic & Military Space Division. The role leads development and sustainment of complex software systems supporting satellite ground operations and combines technical leadership, stakeholder communication, project execution, and Agile team enablement. The position helps establish effective delivery practices across cross-functional teams, facilitate collaboration and continuous improvement, remove organizational and technical impediments, and align iterative software delivery with customer, mission, and program objectives. The division delivers advanced satellite and sensor systems supporting the Department of Defense and the Intelligence Community. The Software Program Manager leads software development teams delivering ground system capabilities, manages projects from concept through operations, and works with Product Owners, technical leads, customers, and Government sponsors to align priorities and delivery outcomes. The position also supports proposal efforts as requested. Travel of up to 25% is required. Applicants must be U.S. citizens and have an active U.S. Government security clearance at the time of application.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in technical engineering, computer science, information systems, or another relevant field.
15 or more years of applicable experience with a bachelor’s degree, or 13 or more years with a master’s degree.
At least 10 years of software program or project management experience, including at least 5 years in critical and complex DoW programs.
Practical experience applying Agile, Scrum, Kanban, or hybrid delivery practices in a complex technical environment, or equivalent experience leading iterative software delivery and continuous-improvement activities.
Demonstrated experience leading cross-functional software teams through iterative or incremental development and delivery.
Proven success managing complex software projects through the full development lifecycle.
Strong understanding of ground system architecture and satellite operations.
Proficiency with project and Agile collaboration tools such as Jira, Confluence, Microsoft Project, or comparable platforms.
Demonstrated experience as an Agile delivery lead, iteration manager, Scrum Master, Release Train Engineer, Product Owner partner, or in an equivalent role.
Excellent communication, presentation, and stakeholder management skills.
Ability to support new proposal efforts with technical writing, proposal management support, subcontractor evaluation, and other duties as requested.
Must be a U.S. citizen with an active U.S. Government security clearance at the time of application.
Must be able and willing to travel up to 25%.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree in computer science, electrical engineering, computer engineering, or information systems; or an MBA with a technical Bachelor of Science degree.
PMP, PMI-ACP, Professional Scrum Master (PSM), Certified ScrumMaster (CSM), SAFe, or comparable Agile or program-management certification.
Technical domain knowledge of scalable architecture and distributed infrastructure in Azure, AWS, or Google Cloud.
At least 2 years of experience in satellite, aerospace, defense, intelligence, or other space-system domains.
15 or more years of aerospace project management experience, including managing software for space operations centers, antenna tasking, mission control systems, or related ground systems.
Experience in environments combining Agile software development with formal systems engineering, milestone reviews, configuration management, cybersecurity, or government acquisition requirements.
Background in DevSecOps, continuous integration/continuous deployment (CI/CD), automated testing, model based system engineering, or digital engineering.

Responsibilities

Lead cross-functional software development teams delivering ground system capabilities, including telemetry, tracking, and command (TT&C), mission planning, automation, and data processing.
Manage project lifecycles from concept through operations, ensuring scope, schedule, budget, quality, security, and mission objectives are met.
Facilitate planning, daily coordination, reviews, retrospectives, backlog refinement, and other team activities that promote transparency, alignment, and continuous improvement.
Partner with Product Owners, technical leads, customers, and Government sponsors to maintain alignment on priorities, acceptance criteria, dependencies, and delivery outcomes.
Serve as a servant leader and delivery facilitator, helping teams self-organize, improve flow, resolve conflicts, and focus on high-value work.
Identify, track, and remove organizational, technical, resource, and process impediments that could affect delivery.
Use Agile and program metrics to support decision-making and communicate status.
Manage project and program risks, issues, dependencies, change control, and related management processes.
Track and report program status, technical progress, delivery forecasts, resource allocation, risks, and impediments to senior leadership and customers.
Support new proposal efforts through technical writing, proposal management support, subcontractor evaluation, and other duties as requested.