Senior Satellite Program Manager

AI overview

Lead the execution of complex satellite programs, managing end-to-end delivery from contract award to on-orbit delivery with a focus on cost, risk, and schedule.
Wanna Join the Adventure? Loft Orbital is seeking a Senior Satellite Program Manager to lead execution of complex spacecraft and mission programs from contract award through on-orbit delivery. This role is accountable for establishing a credible program baseline and driving disciplined execution against it, across engineering, manufacturing, AIT, launch, and suppliers. This is a hands-on execution leadership role — not a coordination role. You will build and own Integrated Master Schedules (IMS), manage cost and risk, and act as the primary execution interface to customers and internal leadership. About this role:
  • Program Ownership & Execution:
  • Own end-to-end delivery of one or more complex satellite programs
  • Establish and maintain the program baseline (scope, schedule, cost, risk)
  • Drive execution to that baseline; lead replans and recovery when required
  • Serve as the primary customer interface for execution, schedule, and delivery commitments
  • Integrated Master Scheduling:
  • Build and own logic-driven Level 4–5 IMSs
  • Validate dependencies across hardware, software, AIT, launch, and suppliers
  • Ensure schedules are executable, resource-aware, and actively used to manage work
  • Drive weekly / biweekly execution cadence tied directly to the IMS
  • Cost, Risk, and Decision Support:
  • Own program ETC/EAC in partnership with Finance
  • Maintain an active risk register with mitigation, off-ramps, and retirement criteria
  • Prepare and lead internal and external program reviews (PMRs, design reviewed, readiness reviews)
  • Provide leadership with clear decision data, not status theater
  • Cross-Functional & Supplier Leadership:
  • Drive alignment across engineering, product, manufacturing, software, mission ops, and launch
  • Manage strategic suppliers as extensions of the program
  • Escalate and resolve execution conflicts decisively
  • Program Ownership, Customer Interface & Contract Execution:
  • Own end-to-end program execution from contract award through on-orbit delivery
  • Serve as the primary customer interface for execution, schedule, scope, and delivery commitments
  • Translate contractual requirements into an executable program baseline
  • Ensure customer expectations remain aligned with technical and schedule reality
  • Contract Administration & Change Control:
  • Own day-to-day contract administration for assigned programs, in partnership with Legal and Finance
  • Track contractual obligations, milestones, deliverables, and acceptance criteria
  • Lead assessment and negotiation of scope changes, contract modifications, and schedule impacts
  • Ensure execution remains compliant with contract terms and data rights requirements
  • Support invoicing milestones, deliverable acceptance, and customer reporting
  • Reviews & External Communications:
  • Lead customer program reviews, readiness reviews, and delivery checkpoints
  • Ensure clear documentation of decisions, changes, and customer direction
  • Act as Loft’s execution authority in customer-facing forums
  • Must Haves:
  • 8+ years of experience in spacecraft, aerospace, or complex technical programs
  • Demonstrated ownership of end-to-end program delivery
  • Deep experience building and executing Integrated Master Schedules
  • Strong understanding of spacecraft development lifecycles
  • Proven ability to lead cross-functional teams under ambiguity
  • Nice to Haves:
  • Experience with multi-program ownership or portfolios
  • Familiarity with DCMA-style schedule health principles
  • Experience interfacing with government or institutional customers
  • Some of Our Awesome Benefits:
  • 100% company-paid medical, dental, and vision insurance option for employees and dependents
  • Flexible Spending (FSA) and Health Savings (HSA) Accounts offered with an employer contribution to the HSA
  • 100% employer paid Life, AD&D, Short-Term, and Long-Term Disability insurance
  • Flexible Time Off policy for vacation and sick leave, and 12 paid holidays
  • 401(k) plan and equity options
  • Daily catered lunches and snacks in office
  • International exposure to our team in France
  • Fully paid parental leave; 14 weeks for birthing parent and 10 weeks for non-birthing parent
  • Carrot Fertility provides comprehensive, inclusive fertility healthcare and family-forming benefits with financial support
  • Off-sites and many social events and celebrations
  • Relocation assistance when applicable
  •  *Research shows that while men apply to jobs where they meet an average of 60% of the criteria, women and other underrepresented people tend to only apply when they meet 100% of the qualifications. At Loft, we value respectful debate and people who aren’t afraid to challenge assumptions.  We strongly encourage you to apply, even if you don’t check all the boxes.

    Who We Are

    Loft: Space Made Simple. 

    Founded in 2017, Loft provides governments, companies, and research institutions with a fast, reliable, and simple way to deploy missions in orbit.

    We integrate, launch, and operate spacecraft, offering end-to-end missions as a service across Earth observation, IoT connectivity, on-orbit AI, national security missions, and more. Leveraging our existing space infrastructure and an extensive inventory of satellite buses, Loft is reducing years-long integration and launch timelines to months. With more than 30 missions flown, Loft’s flight heritage and proven technologies enable customers to focus on their mission objectives.

    With a growing fleet on track to reach 30 satellites by 2027, we are scaling up quickly across our offices in San Francisco, CA | Golden, CO | and Toulouse, France to meet accelerating demand for space infrastructure.

    As an international company your resume will be reviewed by people across our offices so please attach a copy in English.

    Perks & Benefits Extracted with AI

    • Health Insurance: 100% company-paid medical, dental, and vision insurance option for employees and dependents
    • Relocation assistance: Relocation assistance when applicable
    • Paid Parental Leave: Fully paid parental leave; 14 weeks for birthing parent and 10 weeks for non-birthing parent
    • Paid Time Off: Flexible Time Off policy for vacation and sick leave, and 12 paid holidays

    Loft Orbital builds software and hardware products to fly and operate any payload on a standard satellite bus. See how we're making space simple.

    View all jobs
    Salary
    $160,000 – $220,000 per year
    Ace your job interview

    Understand the required skills and qualifications, anticipate the questions you may be asked, and study well-prepared answers using our sample responses.

    Program Manager Q&A's
    Report this job
    Apply for this job