The posting
About the role
Muon Space seeks a Senior Program Manager to lead delivery of next-generation satellites for national security missions, including missile warning and tracking. This is a high-visibility, high-impact role at the intersection of payload engineering and rapid-cycle space vehicle development.
The Senior PM is the accountable owner for delivering the program on cost, schedule, and technical performance. You will manage a multi-disciplinary internal team, subcontractors, and a critical-path vendor base for EO/IR payloads, algorithm development, avionics, and space vehicle builds. The role spans the full program lifecycle: design reviews, hardware build, integration and environmental test, launch, and on-orbit operations.
This position is hybrid and requires working on-site in our San Jose, CA office three days per week.
Responsibilities
- Program Execution Own the integrated master schedule, cost baseline, and risk register Drive the program through preliminary and critical design reviews, payload and spacecraft integration, environmental test, launch, and on-orbit demonstration, meeting customer milestones and contract deliverables Manage scope, cost, and period of performance against contract milestones and payment events Lead day-to-day execution of the program team to the contract, running the weekly program cadence, internal design reviews, and readiness reviews; provide status and briefing content to the Mission Manager, who is the customer interface Own the preparation and quality of contract deliverables, including status reports, design review packages, technical and cost data, test plans, and final reports, for delivery to the customer Partner with the Mission Manager and Muon's Capture and Business Development teams on follow-on strategy
- Subcontractor and Vendor Management Manage program subcontracts, including mission data processing and algorithm development Coordinate critical-path vendors for detectors, focal plane arrays, cooler assemblies, and optics across long-lead procurements Keep subcontract scope, cost, and schedule aligned with prime contract commitments
- Technical Leadership and Risk Management Partner closely with the lead systems engineer and technical leads (payload design, AI&T, optics, electronics, software, mechanisms, thermal, mission systems) to drive technical decisions Own and actively work the program risk register, including supply chain, integration, launch, and demonstration risks Resolve cross-functional issues quickly and escalate to functional and program leadership when needed
- Compliance and Reporting Ensure program execution complies with contract requirements, including U.S.-only performance, ITAR/EAR export controls, technical data rights, security requirements, and CUI handling Coordinate with Contracts and Finance on subcontract changes, invoicing, and program financial reporting
Required Qualifications
- 8+ years of professional experience in program or technical management of complex technical system development, deployment, and operations
- 5+ years of hands-on technical experience, preferably in an engineering or similar capacity, or direct ownership of a hardware development effort through design reviews to a tested product
- Direct experience with space, defense, or aerospace program planning and execution
- Demonstrated experience managing programs with multiple subcontractors and a complex critical-path supply chain
- Experience executing rapid-acquisition or prototype agreements for government customers, with familiarity navigating the government program lifecycle, technical data rights, and contract deliverables
- Active Secret U.S. security clearance
- U.S. citizenship required (Clearance required and program is ITAR-restricted)
- Excellent written communication skills; you will author or approve the program's contract deliverables
Preferred Qualifications
- Active Top Secret or TS/SCI clearance
- Prior experience on a missile warning, missile tracking, missile defense, or similar space-based infrared program
- Working knowledge of EO/IR sensor architectures, focal plane arrays, and cryocooler integration
- Working knowledge of missile warning data products and techniques for detection and tracking
- Experience managing programs through environmental test campaigns (TVAC, vibration, EMI/EMC)
- Experience with launch integration and early on-orbit operations
Salary
The salary range for this role is $206,000 - $232,000, plus a competitive equity grant and comprehensive benefits package. Final compensation will be determined based on skills, qualifications, experience, and geographic location as assessed during the interview process.
About Muon Space
Founded in 2021, Muon Space is an end-to-end Space Systems Provider that designs, builds, and operates LEO satellite constellations delivering mission-critical data. Our revolutionary, integrated technology stack enables customers to optimize every dimension of their missions for faster time-to-orbit and superior constellation remote sensing performance. Our state-of-the-art facility in the heart of Silicon Valley is optimized for manufacturing spacecraft and rapid, flexible payload integration at scale. From climate monitoring to national security, Muon Space is dedicated to delivering Earth Intelligence for a safer and more resilient world.
Taking Care of Our Team
At Muon salary is only part of our total compensation package. In addition to salary, full-time employees receive equity compensation as well as benefits including medical, dental, and vision insurance, a 401k retirement plan, short & long term disability and life insurance. We also offer three weeks paid vacation for new employees, along with 12 paid holidays, unlimited sick time and paid parental leave.
Our mission embraces the entire planet and we believe our team should too. Muon is dedicated to creating a diverse and dynamic company and workforce. We believe in equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, age, national origin, citizenship, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, or gender identity. We value diversity in the workplace, and that starts with our applicants. We encourage you to apply, even if you don't check all the boxes, and we look forward to reviewing your application! In addition, if you need a reasonable accommodation as part of your application for employment or interviews with us, please let us know.
Muon is currently registered and able to hire in the following states: AL, AZ, CA, CO, CT, DC, FL, GA, IL, IA, ID, MD, MA, MI, MN, MO, NJ, NY, NC, OH, OR, PA, TN, TX, VT, VA, WA
ITAR/EAR Requirements
This position requires access to export controlled information. To conform to U.S. Government export regulations applicable to that information, applicant must either be (A) a U.S. person, defined as a (i) U.S. citizen or national, (ii) U.S. lawful, permanent resident (green card holder), (iii) refugee under 8 U.S.C. § 1157, or (iv) asylee under 8 U.S.C. § 1158, (B) eligible to access the export controlled information without a required export authorization, or (C) eligible and reasonably likely to obtain the required export authorization from the applicable U.S. government agency. The Company may, for legitimate business reasons, decline to pursue any export licensing process.
