ispace, inc.
Senior Program Manager
TLDR
Lead cross-functional teams in the pioneering efforts of lunar exploration, guiding ambitious projects with careful oversight of schedules, budgets, and deliverables.
At ispace U.S., we’re not just going to the Moon—we’re redefining how we get there. Our missions push the boundaries of human and robotic exploration, driven by our belief: “Expand our Planet. Expand our Future.” By providing cost-effective lunar transportation, we are pioneering a future where space is within reach for scientific discovery, commercial ventures, and sustainable exploration.
With locations in Japan, Luxembourg, and the United States, ispace is rapidly growing and leading the way in lunar exploration and development. Our U.S. branch is based in Englewood, Colorado, and focuses on high-capacity payload lunar landers designed to support future lunar missions. Our team is made up of innovators, problem-solvers, and visionaries committed to making space more accessible and fostering the next generation of space exploration.
Let’s go to the Moon together! Our team is growing, and we are actively seeking talented individuals who share our passion for space.
If you are the kind of person who naturally takes ownership, creates structure where others see ambiguity, and quietly drives complex work forward with rigor, this role will feel like a fit. ispace is seeking a Senior Program Manager who can lead challenging cross-functional development efforts, maintain command of integrated schedules, budgets, risks, and deliverables, and help technical teams execute against an ambitious lunar mission roadmap. This is not a role for someone who needs constant direction or is uncomfortable making informed decisions in a fast-moving environment; it is for a thoughtful, diligent leader who can balance independence with strong team partnership. For the right person, this is a chance to apply both strategic judgment and meticulous execution to work genuinely on the frontier of space development.
Key Responsibilities
Program execution in various phases of the program lifecycle to include Business Development, Design, Manufacturing Integration and Test and Mission Operations
Generate and maintain program integrated master schedule (IMS)
Generate and maintain program budgets and forecasts, including financial, technical, and schedule risk and opportunity positions
Responsible for all program planning and controls functions for assigned program to include schedule, Subcontract Deliverable Requirements Lists (SDRL's) and Risks
Work closely with other contractors/teammates in meeting customer needs
Ensures cost, schedule and scope are defined and properly tracked from conception to delivery
Biased towards action – must be willing to take initiative and drive projects to closure with limited supervision
Basic Qualifications
Bachelor's within a STEM discipline. We will consider an equivalent combination of relevant education and / or experience.
10+ years of combined experience managing complex and challenging cross-functional development programs within a highly fast paced technical environment, ideally within the Aerospace industry
10+ years working in a highly complex Engineering driven environment
High sense of accountability and ownership, ability to be resourceful and deliver results with minimal direction
Strong problem-solving and proven data driving-decision making abilities, proactively identifying critical-path actions, risks, and opportunities to accelerate progress
Experience with both Government and Commercial Contracts; understanding of DFAR/FAR requirements is a plus
Proven and effective executive-level briefing, writing and organizational skills and significant experience leading across multiple technical and business operations disciplines
Excellent analytical and interpersonal skills, with ability to work successfully across global cross functional leaders
Proficiency in Microsoft tools to include MS Project, Sharepoint, MS Teams and Atlassian Products
Comfortable creating order with ambiguity
What Makes You Stand Out!
Agile and able to respond to dynamic priorities
Works with limited oversight from leadership
Recommend business solutions for day-to-day contractual challenges.
Experience working for Aerospace/Space Prime or sub-contractor strongly preferred
Experience in startup environment a plus
#LI-LH1
At ispace, we believe that diverse perspectives drive innovation. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds and experiences, even if you don’t meet every listed requirement. If you’re passionate about our mission and think you can contribute, we encourage you to apply. Your unique skills and experiences may be exactly what we need to grow and succeed together.
To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) you must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the U.S., protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State. Learn more about the ITAR .here.
ispace is an Equal Opportunity Employer; employment with ispace is governed on the basis of merit, competence and qualifications and will not be influenced in any manner by race, color, religion, gender, national origin/ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, mental or physical disability or any other legally protected status.
All applicants who are offered employment with ispace US will be subject to a background investigation. Offers of employment are contingent on the successful completion of a background investigation conducted in accordance with Company policies and all applicable laws.
ispace Technologies, US, Inc. is a drug-free workplace.
ispace Technologies, US, Inc. participates in the E-Verify program.
Benefits
Paid Time Off
18 vacation days, 6 sick days, and 17 paid holidays.
Remote-Friendly
Flexibility to work remotely and in-office, depending on your role and the stage of our program.
Stock Options
Participation in our stock option program.
ispace, inc. is a lunar exploration company that develops micro robotic technology to facilitate transportation and resource mapping in space. Targeting the growing market for lunar development, ispace aims to create a new ecosystem between Earth and the Moon, establishing itself as the first publicly listed space startup in Japan.
Senior Program Manager