Technical Program Manager, Satellite

Xona Space Systems • Burlingame, CA

1d

About The Position

Xona is the navigational intelligence company bringing real-time, centimeter-level certainty to any device, anywhere on Earth.
With Pulsar – the world’s most advanced PNT satellite infrastructure in Low Earth Orbit – Xona will offer a future-proof, backwards-compatible global positioning system optimized for absolute precision, superior power, and robust protection.
As Satellite TPM, you'll own the execution of our satellite development program across bus and payload, working closely with our program lead and engineering teams to keep a complex, fast-moving hardware program on track. This is a foundational hire -- you'll help shape how TPM works at Xona as we scale. If you want real ownership, proximity to the hardware, and a chance to grow with a company that's building something genuinely new in space, this role is for you.

Requirements

• 4–7 years of program or project management experience in complex hardware/software development, with meaningful exposure to aerospace or a similarly technical field
• Direct experience working within a satellite, launch vehicle, or space hardware program -- you understand how bus and payload development actually progresses through the lifecycle
• Strong systems thinker who can track interdependencies across mechanical, electrical, software, and integration workstreams without losing the critical path
• Self-directed and comfortable operating with limited oversight -- you drive your own agenda and don't wait to be told what to track
• Clear communicator who can work credibly with engineers and summarize status cleanly for leadership
• Experience keeping supplier or partner deliverables accountable to schedule and technical commitments

Nice To Haves

• Hands-on experience with satellite bus subsystems or RF/navigation payloads
• Familiarity with GNSS, PNT systems, or mission operations
• Experience working through a full satellite program cycle from PDR/CDR through integration, test, and launch
• Proficiency with scheduling tools such as Wrike, MS Project, Smartsheet, or similar
• PMP, Agile, or other PM certifications (nice to have, not a substitute for real program experience)

Responsibilities

• Satellite Schedule Ownership: Own and maintain the satellite development schedule across bus subsystems (power, GNC, software, structure) and payload (electrical, antennas, RF), tracking progress against milestones, managing critical path, and keeping the program honest
• Cross-Functional Coordination: Serve as the program hub across avionics, RF/payload, ground software, and production teams -- translating technical progress into shared plans and clear accountability
• Supplier & Partner Management: Work alongside the Supply Chain team to drive accountability with bus vendors and payload suppliers keeping external deliverables synchronized with internal milestones
• Risk & Issue Resolution: Surface risks early, maintain the risk register, and work directly with technical leads to resolve blockers before they hit the schedule. Escalate to program leadership with context and a recommended path forward.
• Program Reporting: Prepare and deliver regular satellite program status to leadership, maintaining a clear and accurate picture of schedule health, open risks, and upcoming decisions
• Process Building: Help develop lightweight, effective program management processes suited to a small team moving fast -- you'll have real input into how TPM operates at Xona

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed