Job SummaryGeneral Atomics is looking for a Senior Program Manager for Space EO/IR Payload efforts within our Optical Sensor System Group in Acton, MA. A Senior Program Manager for Space Payloads leads the development, testing, and delivery of space payloads, managing cross-functional teams, tracking budgets and schedules using EVMS, mitigating risks, and facilitating customer interaction and decision-making to ensure projects meet technical requirements and contractual obligations. Key responsibilities include managing finances, developing program plans, coordinating with engineering, supply chain and major subcontractors, and manufacturing, and serving as a liaison with prime and/or government customers.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:- Program Management: Support medium-to-large scale programs from initiation through to successful completion, ensuring projects are delivered on time, within scope, and on budget.
- Stakeholder Management: Build and maintain relationships with key stakeholders, including executives, product managers, and cross-functional teams, to ensure alignment and transparency throughout the program lifecycle.
- Cross-Functional Collaboration: Work closely with teams across various departments, including product, engineering, marketing, and operations, to ensure that all elements of the program are delivered as planned.
- Risk Management: Manage potential risks, proactively addressing issues and escalating when necessary. Track dependencies, issues, and changes to keep the program on track.
- Project Planning & Scheduling: Develop detailed project plans, manage schedules, and allocate resources effectively to ensure program milestones are met.
- Budget Oversight: Monitor program budgets, track expenditures, and ensure that financial targets are met while maintaining program quality.
- Reporting & Communication: Provide regular updates to senior management, stakeholders, and team members on program status, risks, and issues. Create and deliver program reports, presentations, and other communication materials.
- Continuous Improvement: Drive process improvements within the program management function, identifying opportunities to enhance efficiency, collaboration, and program success.
- Interact with internal and external representatives at various levels concerning resolution of technical and scheduling issues.
- Ensure technical leadership and excellence is maintained by participating in the planning, attraction, selection, retention, and development of the required management, professional, and technical talent.
- Identify program risks and provide leadership in developing solutions.
Job Qualifications- Typically requires a Bachelors, Masters or PhD in engineering, science or a related technical field as well as thirteen or more years of progressively complex program administration experience. May substitute equivalent experience in lieu of education.
- Systems or specific engineering or program management experience on satellites or satellite payloads, particularly with optical or laser payloads.
- Ability to navigate organizational dynamics to drive effective relationship management and team alignment.
- Results-oriented with the ability to maintain focus on program success and long-term organizational goals.
- Adaptability and resilience in a fast-paced and ever-changing environment.
- Demonstrates technical expertise and application of program management principles, concepts, and practice as well as program management and leadership skills including organizing, planning, scheduling, and coordinating workloads to meet established deadlines or milestones.
- Strong communication, leadership, presentation, and interpersonal skills are required to enable an effective interface with other departments, all levels of management, professional and support staff, customers, potential customers, and government representatives.
- Customer focused, must be able to work on a self-initiated basis and in a team environment
- The ability to obtain and maintain a Top Secret DoD security clearance and/or SCI.
