Program Director - Space Systems

Job Description

Job Description

Please Note :   To conform with the United States Government Space Technology Export Regulations, the applicant must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the U.S., conditional resident, asylee or refugee (protected individuals as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3)), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.

At  CesiumAstro , we are developers and pioneers of out-of-the-box communication systems for satellites, UAVs, launch vehicles, and other space and airborne platforms. We take pride in our dynamic and cross-functional work environment, which allows us to learn, develop, and engage across our organization. If you are looking for hands-on, interactive, and autonomous work, CesiumAstro is the place for you. We are actively seeking passionate, collaborative, energetic, and forward-thinking individuals to join our team.

We are looking to add a Program Director to our team. If you enjoy working in a fast-paced, dynamic startup environment while overseeing and leading multiple complex projects, we would love to hear from you.

As a Program Director, you will be responsible for the strategic direction, performance, and overall execution of multiple programs. This includes concept development, planning, implementation, integration, testing, production, and successful delivery. You will act as the primary executive point of contact for customer interactions, including program management reviews, bi-weekly customer updates, and key milestone reviews.

In this role, you will collaborate closely with senior leadership and cross-functional teams at CesiumAstro, ensuring that all programs are aligned with organizational goals. You will utilize a risk and opportunity management framework to guide decision-making, ensuring that objectives are met within scope, schedule, and budget.

As the Program Director, you will oversee all aspects of program management, including cost control, scheduling, and technical performance. You will be accountable for ensuring successful delivery while maintaining high-quality standards and meeting customer expectations.

You will lead efforts to establish program management baselines (integrated master plans and resource-loaded schedules), track performance, and provide regular progress reports and updated estimates to internal stakeholders, customers, and finance teams for revenue recognition. Your leadership will ensure data-driven decision-making through the effective use of program and engineering metrics.

This role also involves significant responsibility in shaping the future of CesiumAstro’s program management practices. You will assist the VP of Programs in establishing and enforcing standard processes and best practices across the portfolio. Additionally, as a senior member of the team, you will mentor and guide other program leaders, engineers, and help develop the program management office.

JOB REQUIREMENTS AND MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Minimum of 15 years of Program Management experience, with at least 5 years in a leadership or directorial role.
• Bachelor's or Master’s degree in a relevant engineering field (Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Systems Engineering, etc.) from an accredited university or institution.
• Extensive experience in the aerospace industry, including technical leadership roles (system or design engineer).
• Expertise in RF, communications, Aerospace or satellite systems.
• Proven ability to manage large, cross-functional, decentralized teams across multiple complex programs.
• Strong background in CAM, risk management, EVMS, and risk-based assessments.
• Experience in developing and executing integrated master plans, work breakdown structures, and integrated master schedules.
• History of leading programs with complex interdependencies and high dynamic requirements including major subcontracts.
• Proven success in Return-To-Green efforts on multiple programs.
• Demonstrated experience in NRE (Non-Recurring Engineering) development programs.
• Outstanding organizational, leadership, and mentoring skills.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills.

PREFERRED EXPERIENCE

CesiumAstro considers several factors when extending an offer, including but not limited to, the role and associated responsibilities, a candidate’s work experience, education / training, and key skills.  Full-time employment offers include company stock options and a generous benefits package including health, dental, vision, HSA, FSA, life, disability and retirement plans.

CesiumAstro is an Equal Opportunity employer.  All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, protected Veteran Status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.

Please note : CesiumAstro does not accept unsolicited resumes from contract agencies or search firms. Any unsolicited resumes submitted to our website or to CesiumAstro team members not through our approved vendor list or Talent Acquisition will be considered property of CesiumAstro, and we will not be obligated to pay any referral fees.

We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.