Senior Program Manager

About this role

Quantum Space is redefining mobility and maneuverability in space. Our high-mobility spacecraft platforms support national security, civil, and commercial missions with unmatched flexibility and propulsion capability. We build fast and iterate quickly.

Who We're Looking For

We are seeking a Senior Program Manager who has put hardware in orbit and is ready to do it again, faster and leaner. This role is for a senior technologist-turned-program-manager: someone with deep roots in systems engineering, spacecraft I&T, or instrument development who has grown into full technical, cost, and schedule ownership of a space mission. You've led programs through early architectures and trades, major development reviews (SRR, PDR, CDR, etc.), and flight. You know how to lead cross-functional teams of 30 to 200+ people, engage credibly in technical reviews, and make hard trade-offs under real constraints.

Where You'll Make an Impact

• Own full technical, cost, and schedule accountability for spacecraft and subsystem development

• Lead cross-functional delivery across engineering, manufacturing, supply chain, integration, and test from early development through launch and commissioning

• Develop and maintain integrated program plans, IMS, milestones, and delivery commitments to internal stakeholders and external customers

• Identify program risks, dependencies, and resource constraints — and drive mitigation to closure, not just documentation

• Own customer engagements, milestone reviews (SRR, PDR, CDR, etc.), and internal program reporting

• Bring execution discipline and mission assurance rigor to a fast-paced, rapidly evolving commercial environment

• Contribute to proposal development and business capture as the company scales its program portfolio

What It Takes

• Bachelor's degree or higher in engineering, physics, or a closely related technical discipline

• 7+ years of project or program management experience on satellite or spacecraft missions, including at least one that reached launch or on-orbit operations

• Technical depth in systems engineering, I&T, or instrument development — enough to engage meaningfully with your engineering team

• Proven ability to lead cross-functional, hardware-intensive programs through formal government or commercial milestone reviews

• Strong experience managing schedules, budgets, and execution trade-offs under real cost and schedule constraints

• Ability to operate effectively in a mission-driven, high-accountability environment where outcomes are visible to the customer from day one

Nice-to-Have Experience

• Experience in rapid development, prototype-to-production, or non-traditional acquisition environments

• Proposal development experience — writing or managing competitive responses to government AOs or RFPs

• Familiarity with mission assurance standards, ITAR/export control requirements, and national security mission contexts

• Active U.S. Top Secret or TS/SCI clearance, or clear eligibility to obtain one

What You'll Get

• Ownership— Own execution for a high-visibility national security mission with direct customer accountability

• Impact — Deliver systems that directly support critical space and defense objectives from a company that ships

• Innovation – Drive forward-thinking program leadership by balancing technical innovation, cost, schedule, and mission assurance to deliver next-generation space capabilities.

• Growth — Opportunities to scale programs, build teams, and shape how Quantum Space operates as we move from prototype to production

• Compensation — Competitive salary, equity, and comprehensive benefits including medical, dental, vision, generous leave, HSA, 401(k) matching, and equity sharing

Location: Rockville, MD or Hawthorne CA

Base Salary: $180,000 to $225,000

The salary range for this role is an estimate based on a wide range of compensation factors. Actual salary offer may vary based on (but not limited to) work experience, education and/or training, critical skills, and/or business considerations. Highly competitive equity grants are included in the majority of full time offers; and are considered part of Quantum Space's total compensation package.

Additional Requirements

To comply with U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including ITAR, applicants must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident, protected individual per 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.

Apply now. Join us in building the next generation of spacecraft.