About the roleMuon Space seeks a Program Manager to lead the development, demonstration, and productization of secure data-handling capabilities for our satellite platforms. This work directly expands the set of national-security missions Muon can pursue and execute - the Program Manager owns both the program's execution and its transition into active proposals and funded flight programs.
This is a hands-on role at the intersection of hardware development, embedded firmware, security engineering, and government mission capture. It is a technical program management position: the right candidate contributes directly to the engineering - architecture, design, analysis, and test - as a working member of the team, not just its coordinator. The Program Manager is the single accountable owner for cost, schedule, and technical performance across the program's parallel swimlanes: cryptographic hardware carrier development, hardware-in-the-loop (HITL) testbed build-out, end-to-end encrypted data-path demonstration (ground-to-flight and flight-to-ground), and proposal-ready design artifacts for upcoming government opportunities. Because the team is small and senior, the PM does their own scheduling, cost tracking, and program control - there is no supporting program office.
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 for the program
- Drive the program through design reviews, hardware build and integration, test campaigns, and demonstration milestones - meeting all internal and customer commitments
- Run the weekly program cadence; make decisions with incomplete information at startup pace and escalate crisply when needed
- Security and Compliance
- Own the program's security and compliance posture, including controlled-material handling and coordination with government security processes and certification requirements
- Ensure all execution complies with ITAR/EAR export controls and U.S.-only performance requirements
- Technical Contribution and Cross-Functional Leadership
- Contribute directly to the engineering and design of the system - architecture and trade studies, requirements development, design analysis, and hands-on support of integration and test
- Partner closely with the Mission Manager, Chief Engineer, and cross-disciplinary technical leads to drive technical decision-making
- Own configuration control and drive resolution of cross-functional issues quickly, escalating to program leadership when needed
- Capture and Proposal Support
- Support active proposal and capture efforts with technical artifacts and cost and schedule inputs, without derailing baseline execution
- Partner with Business Development, Capture, and Product teams on transitioning the capability into funded flight programs
- Represent the program in customer and partner technical exchanges
Required Qualifications- 6+ years of professional experience in program management of complex technical system development spanning hardware and software
- 5+ years of hands-on engineering experience (electrical, embedded systems, mechanical, RF/communications, or similar), with the ability and desire to contribute directly to design, analysis, and test while leading the program
- Direct experience with space, defense, or aerospace programs that handle CUI or classified data
- Demonstrated ownership of a board- or box-level hardware development effort through design reviews to a working, tested product
- Experience leading testbed, HITL, or ground-segment development and running structured verification or demonstration campaigns
- Working understanding of secure communications concepts - Type 1 encryption, Red/Black separation, key management - and their program-level implications (certification timelines, custody requirements, cleared-personnel constraints)
- Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. Top Secret clearance
- U.S. Citizenship required (program is ITAR-restricted)
- Excellent written communication skills - you will author or approve design review packages, test plans and results, and customer-facing technical artifacts
Preferred Qualifications- Active Secret or TS/SCI clearance
- Prior experience integrating NSA Type 1 cryptographic units (e.g., HAIPE-class devices) or managing COMSEC/CCI on a flight program
- Direct experience working with SDA, NRO, USSF Space Systems Command, or similar customer offices
- Familiarity with embedded firmware and FPGA development lifecycles - board bring-up, driver development, DITL testing
- Experience running IR&D or capability-development programs whose artifacts feed concurrent proposals and captures
- Experience supporting classified proposal development and color-team reviews
- PMP certification or equivalent program management credentials
SalaryThe salary range for this role is $175,000 - $208,000, 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.
