Program Manager - Space Program

Peraton

$176K — $282K *
Aerospace & Defense
15+ years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor’s degree in engineering, science, or math, plus 16+ years of relevant experience
  • Knowledge of commercial space communications architecture and services
  • Experience managing large-scale projects exceeding $50M
  • 8+ years of experience interfacing with government and prime customers
  • Experience in personnel selection and performance evaluations
  • Familiarity with modern IT systems, including cloud and virtual networks
  • PMP certification

Responsibilities

  • Lead contract execution as the primary point of contact.
  • Oversee program activities including operations, modernization, and mission assurance.
  • Create and implement program management plans, schedules, and budgets.
  • Act as the main customer liaison for project updates and issue resolution.
  • Ensure contract performance meets cost, schedule, technical, and quality benchmarks.
  • Prioritize safety and mission assurance across all sites and employees.
  • Identify and manage program risks and opportunities effectively.
  • Coordinate across geographically dispersed teams.

Benefits

  • Hybrid work model with on-site requirements in Monrovia, California
  • Opportunity to work on NASA's critical communications and navigation programs
  • Leadership role with comprehensive oversight responsibilities
  • Collaboration with senior stakeholders and government entities
  • Involvement in significant projects impacting deep space exploration
  • Access to a team-oriented work environment with a focus on mission assurance
Full Job Description
Responsibilities

Peraton is seeking a Program Manager (Program Director) within the Civil Space Operating Unit. This leadership role is responsible for the successful planning, execution, and delivery of one of NASA’s most critical communications and navigation programs. Serving as the primary interface with NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, the DSN M&O contract Program Manager ensures contractual, technical, and business objectives are achieved.NASA’s Deep Space Network is the world’s largest and most capable international system of radio antennas, providing continuous communications, tracking, navigation, and mission support for spacecraft exploring the Moon, planets, and deep space. Operating 24 hours a day from strategically located complexes in California, Spain, and Australia, the DSN enables NASA’s most ambitious exploration missions by delivering mission-critical command, telemetry, tracking, and scientific data services.

 

The DSN M&O contract provides support for the operations, sustainment, modernization, and continuous improvement of NASA’s Goldstone Deep Space Communications Complex in Monrovia, California. The Program manager provides leadership across the Peraton facility in Monrovia California and the NASA Goldstone Deep Space Communications Complex, ensuring financial performance, risk management and delivering program objectives on schedule and within budget.

Must be local to the Los Angeles region and hybrid at Peraton’s Monrovia site.

 

What You’ll Do:

  • Serve as the overall lead for contract execution and the primary point of contact.
  • Provide leadership and oversight of all program activities including O&M, modernization, transition, and mission assurance.
  • Develop and execute program management plans, schedules, budgets, and resource plans
  • Serve as the primary customer point of contact
  • Manage contract performance to meet cost, schedule, technical, and quality objectives
  • Ensure that safety and mission assurance objectives are key priorities for all employees and sites
  • Identify, assess, and mitigate program risks and opportunities
  • Engage senior stakeholders to ensure alignment with mission objectives.
  • Ability to lead and coordinate across geographically dispersed teams
Qualifications

Required Qualifications:

  • A bachelor’s degree in engineering, Science, or Math, or related technical discipline, and 16+ years of related experience
  • Demonstrated knowledge and insight into commercial space communications architecture, services, and approaches
  • Experience managing large ($50M plus) projects with respect to cost, schedule, performance, and risk
  • Minimum 8+ years of experience interfacing with Government and/or Prime customers to provide status of projects and resolving program issues
  • Experience with selection and hiring of candidates for technical and management positions and conducting performance evaluations and salary reviews for assigned staff
  • Experience with managing programs with modern and current IT, such as cloud and/or virtual networks
  • PMP certification.

 

Desired Qualifications:

  • Expert practitioner in systems engineering
  • 5+ years’ experience working with NASA and deep understanding of NASA’s systems, standards, policies and procedures for execution and operations of their missions
  • Experience with developing and/or managing commercial SATCOM systems
  • Experience with leading a team to develop creative ways to adapt to current technology, increasing efficiency and maximizing the potential of existing assets.
  • Ability to succeed in the fast-paced and changing environments of program execution
  • Strong written and verbal communication skills
  • Excellent teamwork

 

Target Salary Range$176,000 - $282,000. This represents the typical salary range for this position. Salary is determined by various factors, including but not limited to, the scope and responsibilities of the position, the individual’s experience, education, knowledge, skills, and competencies, as well as geographic location and business and contract considerations. Depending on the position, employees may be eligible for overtime, shift differential, and a discretionary bonus in addition to base pay.

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