Technical Project Manager, Space Systems
Denver, CO
$120,000 - $150,000
Hybrid
My client builds and operates a diverse range of small satellite systems supporting space-based turnkey missions for several business applications. In addition to various science and exploration applications, this includes earth observation, communications, in-orbit demonstrations, and risk reduction opportunities.
They are seeking a motivated and hands-on Technical Project Manager to help manage software projects across their flight and ground systems. You’ll work to ensure timely and efficient delivery of high-quality software that enables spacecraft operations. This role will focus on day-to-day projects, coordinating schedules, balancing workloads, and prioritizing tasks.
Primary Duties and Responsibilities
- Manage and oversee flight software and ground software projects.
- Work closely with software, hardware, test, and satellite operations teams.
- Help resolve any cross-departmental issues or blockers.
- Act as a point of contact for customers, ensuring software development progress aligns with their expectations and timelines.
- Support the team in responding to and resolving anomalies during all phases of a mission. Ensure timely patching and updates for on-orbit systems.
- Assess and adjust project priorities based on business and technical needs.
- Help the team maintain focus and manage workload effectively, ensuring tasks are correctly scoped and resourced.
- Assist in refining internal processes to balance innovation with structured project management. Driving toward better time estimates and resource allocation.
- Navigate high-pressure situations, particularly aggressive timelines, helping engineers manage stress, meet deadlines, and collaborate effectively.
- Build consensus and facilitate collaborative planning, ensuring all stakeholders are aligned on project goals, timelines, and deliverables.
- Take and digest actions from working meetings and assign and track their completion.
- Create an environment where team members feel heard and valued in decision-making processes.
Required Skills & Experience
- At least 5 years of experience working in software development or software project management.
- Strong understanding of software engineering concepts and project workflows.
- Demonstrated experience working in an R&D environment where rapid iteration is common.
- Strong interpersonal skills to manage distractions and refocus teams.
- Experience leading cross-functional teams and collaborating across departments.
- Proven track record of resolving conflicts within teams, particularly in high-stress, tight-deadline environments.
- Demonstrated ability to remain calm and solution-oriented under pressure.
- Empathetic leader who understands the challenges engineers face and motivates the team with patience and professionalism.
- Experience interpreting contracts and how those business requirements affect engineering.
- Willingness to occasionally work hands-on with development units in a lab setting.
- Comfortable using git and GitLab, and familiarity with the merge request flow.
- Knowledge of Odoo is a plus.
Preferred Experience
- At least 3 years of working primarily as a software engineer.
- Previous experience in the space industry.
- Strong familiarity with Linux, including architecture, build processes, and shell.
- Familiarity with embedded C or C++, especially RTOS.
- Understanding of the TCP/IP stack and layer model.
- Familiarity with Django or general full stack web patterns.
- Experience with relational and time series databases.
- Experience with ground telemetry architectures.
- Experience developing and maintaining secure ground data infrastructure.
Salary
$120,000 - $150,000
Note: This position requires access to export-controlled commodities, technical data, technology, software, and services. U.S. citizenship, U.S. legal permanent resident status, or protected person status under 22 CFR §120.15 and 8 U.S.C. § 1324b(a)(3) is required.