Technical Program Manager, Mission Integration

Gitai • Los Angeles, CA

1d • Onsite

About The Position

GITAI is a space robotics company focused on reducing the cost of work in space. We develop robotic systems for orbital, lunar, and defense applications, handling tasks like assembly, inspection, maintenance, construction, and surface operations. Our integrated approach keeps hardware, software, testing, and integration close together to accelerate development cycles and learning. This is an early-stage company where the systems, company, and market are all being built concurrently. The Technical Program Manager will enable GITAI’s engineering teams to focus on engineering by managing program coordination and external dependencies for the Space-Based Interceptor program and related U.S. government missile defense initiatives. Reporting to the VP of Program Management, this role supports the program's contractual, technical, regulatory, integration, and launch milestones. It is a hands-on individual contributor role, akin to a Mission Manager, focused on coordinating engineering work and keeping the mission on track, rather than a people management or technical authority role. The role involves flight opportunity assessment, launch campaign coordination, mission integration, external deliverables, regulatory and government approval tracking, contract support, and stakeholder coordination across various external entities and internal teams. Success requires strong negotiation skills, the ability to challenge assumptions, push back on unrealistic requirements, and hold stakeholders accountable to ensure mission execution. The core objective is to maximize the engineering team's output by translating complex external dependencies into clear actions and creating the structure and momentum to drive the program forward.

Requirements

• A bachelor’s degree or higher in engineering, science, or a related technical field.
• 5+ years of experience managing technically complex or regulated programs.
• At least one year of full-time experience in a fast-moving startup or small company where roles, priorities, and processes changed frequently.
• Direct experience serving as the bridge between an internal technical organization and government agencies, regulatory authorities, public-sector customers, or other external stakeholders.
• Experience serving as the primary point of contact for a complex program and managing external deliverables, approvals, contractual commitments, schedules, risks, and decisions.
• The ability to quickly understand technical documentation, identify missing information, ask the right questions, and work effectively with engineers and other subject-matter experts.
• The judgment and confidence to negotiate, challenge assumptions, push back on unrealistic requirements or commitments, and hold senior stakeholders accountable while preserving a workable relationship.
• A hands-on individual-contributor operating style. You will personally run meetings, maintain schedules and trackers, prepare decision materials, support negotiations, and drive actions to closure.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to explain complex technical, contractual, and regulatory issues clearly to internal and external stakeholders.
• U.S. citizenship and eligibility to obtain and maintain a U.S. government security clearance.

Nice To Haves

• Experience with spacecraft missions, launch campaigns, payload integration, launch service providers, launch aggregators, or rideshare missions.
• Familiarity with Payload User’s Guides, launch vehicle capabilities, orbital parameters, commercial launch pricing, test requirements, or interface-control requirements.
• Experience with FCC, NOAA, spectrum, RF communications, export controls, or other space-related regulatory processes.
• Experience working with the U.S. Space Force, Missile Defense Agency, or another Department of Defense organization.
• Familiarity with FAR, DFARS, Other Transaction Agreements, CUI, DD254 requirements, or classified programs.

Responsibilities

• Assess launch and rideshare opportunities by evaluating launch vehicle capabilities, payload constraints, target orbit, schedule, launch-site logistics, pricing, contractual terms, regulatory requirements, and mission risk.
• Own the program coordination for each launch campaign from flight opportunity selection through payload delivery, integration, launch readiness, and launch execution.
• Serve as the primary working-level point of contact across U.S. government customers, launch service providers, launch aggregators, mission partners, regulators, subcontractors, and GITAI’s internal teams.
• Build and maintain the integrated mission plan, including engineering milestones, external deliverables, government approvals, testing, payload integration, logistics, contract commitments, risks, and decisions.
• Read and interpret Payload User’s Guides and other mission documentation with Engineering, translate external requirements into clear internal actions, and obtain clarification or negotiate changes when requirements are unclear or impractical.
• Facilitate external meetings, gather questions and concerns from Engineering, secure clear answers and decisions, and push back when requirements, deadlines, or commitments put program execution at risk.
• Work with Engineering, Legal, Finance, Supply Chain, Security, and external consultants to manage contracts, regulatory items, and other non-engineering dependencies through completion.
• Provide concise updates to program leadership on current status, critical risks, unresolved dependencies, contractual or financial exposure, and decisions required.

Benefits

• Comprehensive Healthcare: 100% paid medical, dental, and vision insurance for employees, with 90% coverage for dependents, plus life insurance
• Retirement Savings: 401(k) plan with a company match
• Equity Opportunities: Stock options in a rapidly growing startup, giving you a stake in our success
• Relocation Support: Financial assistance for relocation is available for candidates residing outside the Los Angeles area
• Paid Time Off: 12 days of paid time off (PTO) and 12 company holidays annually
• Office Perks: Enjoy free snacks and drinks, plus regular social events to foster team spirit

What This Job Offers

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