{"schemaVersion":"jobsearcher.job.v1","id":"8143be1ef45a79ec0e3e1c63","url":"https://jobsearcher.com/jobs/8143be1ef45a79ec0e3e1c63","canonicalUrl":"https://jobsearcher.com/jobs/8143be1ef45a79ec0e3e1c63","title":"Technical Program Director","description":"Who We Are:\r\nSpace Kinetic is a venture-backed startup focused on addressing urgent national security priorities. Our goal is to deliver a suite of asymmetric capabilities for space superiority and missile defense leveraging our proprietary electromechanical deployment system, which enables the rapid deployment of low-cost payloads through space without firing a thruster. Space Kinetic is currently assembling its TRL-5 prototype. Our goal is to leverage this platform to provide the United States with a new tool for securing the space domain and catalyzing the emerging space economy.\r\nWhat You'll Do:\r\nWe are seeking a Project Manager to support technical program execution, coordinate cross-functional engineering activities, and help drive aerospace development programs from planning through execution.\r\nThe Project Manager is responsible for leading and coordinating technical projects involving aerospace hardware development, engineering execution, manufacturing readiness, and program deliverables. This role combines technical coordination, project execution discipline, and aerospace program support to help ensure engineering development efforts move efficiently from concept through production readiness. This position requires engineering understanding sufficient to communicate effectively with technical teams, manage schedules, identify risks, and ensure projects remain aligned with customer requirements, internal milestones, and business objectives. The Project Manager serves as a central point of coordination between engineering, manufacturing, supply chain, leadership, and external stakeholders.\r\nLead planning, coordination, and execution of aerospace engineering and hardware development projects\r\nDevelop and maintain project schedules, milestones, action trackers, and program status reporting\r\nCoordinate closely with engineering, manufacturing, supply chain, and leadership teams to ensure execution against program goals\r\nSupport technical reviews, design reviews, production readiness discussions, and milestone planning\r\nMonitor project scope, schedule, cost drivers, and execution risks\r\nIdentify schedule impacts, technical dependencies, and program constraints early andescalate when needed\r\nTrack deliverables, action items, procurement dependencies, and critical path activities\r\nFacilitate internal meetings and ensure follow-up actions are completed across teams\r\nSupport customer-facing updates, program documentation, and status communications as needed\r\nHelp manage contract deliverables and internal execution against awarded program requirements\r\nWork closely with engineering teams to understand technical priorities and execution challenges\r\nAssist leadership in translating technical development priorities into executable project plans\r\nSupport disciplined configuration management processes for hardware and software to maintain revision control, traceability, and alignment across program activities\r\nCoordinate and monitor test-readiness activities, including technical preparation, documentation status, material readiness, and integration planning prior to test execution\r\nSupport integration activities across hardware and software elements, maintaining visibility into dependencies that affect system performance and program milestones\r\nDemonstrate understanding of how software integrates within broader system architecture and support coordination between software and hardware development efforts\r\nSupport continuous improvement in program controls, reporting structure, and execution discipline\r\nWhat It Takes\r\nBasic Qualifications\r\nBachelor's degree in Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Systems Engineering, or related technical field (preferred)\r\n5+ years of project management experience supporting engineering, aerospace, manufacturing, or hardware development programs\r\nAerospace industry experience required\r\nStrong understanding of engineering development processes, technical schedules, and hardware program execution\r\nAbility to work effectively with multidisciplinary engineering teams, including mechanical, electrical, manufacturing, and software functions\r\nExperience managing schedules, technical action tracking, and cross-functional program execution\r\nFamiliarity with hardware development lifecycle, integration activities, and test planning\r\nUnderstanding of disciplined configuration management principles for hardware and software environments\r\nAbility to identify technical dependencies, schedule risks, and execution constraints early\r\nStrong communication skills with ability to interface across technical teams and leadership\r\nExperience supporting technical reviews, program reporting, and milestone-driven execution\r\nPreferred Qualifications\r\nExperience supporting prototype, flight hardware, or aerospace product development programs\r\nFamiliarity with test readiness reviews, integration planning, and engineering release processes\r\nUnderstanding of software integration within broader system architecture\r\nExperience supporting customer-funded programs, contract deliverables, or defense-related development efforts\r\nPMP certification or equivalent project/program management training is a plus\r\nWhere You'll Be:\r\nThe position is onsite at our headquarters in El Segundo, CA. Domestic travel may be required (up to ~20% of the year).\r\nWhat We Offer\r\nEquity-Based Compensation\r\nHighly Competitive PTO and Holiday Calendar\r\nComprehensive Medical, Dental, and Vision Coverage\r\nITAR Requirements\r\nTo conform to U.S. Government export regulations, applicant must be a (i) U.S. citizen or national, (ii) U.S. lawful, permanent resident (aka green card holder), (iii) refugee under 8 U.S.C. § 1157, or (iv) asylee under 8 U.S.C. § 1158, or be eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State. Learn more about ITAR.\r\nEqual Employment Opportunity\r\nSpace Kinetic provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, veteran status, disability, or any other legally protected status.\r\nPay Range\r\n$150,000-$255,000 USD\r\nJ-18808-Ljbffr","company":"Space Kinetic","rawCompany":"space kinetic","city":"El Segundo","state":"CA","isRemote":false,"isActive":true,"createdAt":"2026-07-25T00:23:31.495Z","occupations":[{"code":"13-1082.00","title":"Project Management Specialists","slug":"project-management-specialists"},{"code":"15-1299.09","title":"Information Technology Project Managers","slug":"information-technology-project-managers"},{"code":"11-9041.00","title":"Architectural and Engineering Managers","slug":"architectural-and-engineering-managers"}],"industries":[{"code":"336414","title":"Guided Missile and Space Vehicle Manufacturing","slug":"guided-missile-and-space-vehicle-manufacturing"},{"code":"336419","title":"Other Guided Missile and Space Vehicle Parts and Auxiliary Equipment Manufacturing","slug":"other-guided-missile-and-space-vehicle-parts-and-auxiliary-equipment-manufacturing"},{"code":"927110","title":"Space Research and Technology","slug":"space-research-and-technology"}],"jobPosting":{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"JobPosting","title":"Technical Program Director","description":"Who We Are:\r\nSpace Kinetic is a venture-backed startup focused on addressing urgent national security priorities. Our goal is to deliver a suite of asymmetric capabilities for space superiority and missile defense leveraging our proprietary electromechanical deployment system, which enables the rapid deployment of low-cost payloads through space without firing a thruster. Space Kinetic is currently assembling its TRL-5 prototype. Our goal is to leverage this platform to provide the United States with a new tool for securing the space domain and catalyzing the emerging space economy.\r\nWhat You'll Do:\r\nWe are seeking a Project Manager to support technical program execution, coordinate cross-functional engineering activities, and help drive aerospace development programs from planning through execution.\r\nThe Project Manager is responsible for leading and coordinating technical projects involving aerospace hardware development, engineering execution, manufacturing readiness, and program deliverables. This role combines technical coordination, project execution discipline, and aerospace program support to help ensure engineering development efforts move efficiently from concept through production readiness. This position requires engineering understanding sufficient to communicate effectively with technical teams, manage schedules, identify risks, and ensure projects remain aligned with customer requirements, internal milestones, and business objectives. The Project Manager serves as a central point of coordination between engineering, manufacturing, supply chain, leadership, and external stakeholders.\r\nLead planning, coordination, and execution of aerospace engineering and hardware development projects\r\nDevelop and maintain project schedules, milestones, action trackers, and program status reporting\r\nCoordinate closely with engineering, manufacturing, supply chain, and leadership teams to ensure execution against program goals\r\nSupport technical reviews, design reviews, production readiness discussions, and milestone planning\r\nMonitor project scope, schedule, cost drivers, and execution risks\r\nIdentify schedule impacts, technical dependencies, and program constraints early andescalate when needed\r\nTrack deliverables, action items, procurement dependencies, and critical path activities\r\nFacilitate internal meetings and ensure follow-up actions are completed across teams\r\nSupport customer-facing updates, program documentation, and status communications as needed\r\nHelp manage contract deliverables and internal execution against awarded program requirements\r\nWork closely with engineering teams to understand technical priorities and execution challenges\r\nAssist leadership in translating technical development priorities into executable project plans\r\nSupport disciplined configuration management processes for hardware and software to maintain revision control, traceability, and alignment across program activities\r\nCoordinate and monitor test-readiness activities, including technical preparation, documentation status, material readiness, and integration planning prior to test execution\r\nSupport integration activities across hardware and software elements, maintaining visibility into dependencies that affect system performance and program milestones\r\nDemonstrate understanding of how software integrates within broader system architecture and support coordination between software and hardware development efforts\r\nSupport continuous improvement in program controls, reporting structure, and execution discipline\r\nWhat It Takes\r\nBasic Qualifications\r\nBachelor's degree in Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Systems Engineering, or related technical field (preferred)\r\n5+ years of project management experience supporting engineering, aerospace, manufacturing, or hardware development programs\r\nAerospace industry experience required\r\nStrong understanding of engineering development processes, technical schedules, and hardware program execution\r\nAbility to work effectively with multidisciplinary engineering teams, including mechanical, electrical, manufacturing, and software functions\r\nExperience managing schedules, technical action tracking, and cross-functional program execution\r\nFamiliarity with hardware development lifecycle, integration activities, and test planning\r\nUnderstanding of disciplined configuration management principles for hardware and software environments\r\nAbility to identify technical dependencies, schedule risks, and execution constraints early\r\nStrong communication skills with ability to interface across technical teams and leadership\r\nExperience supporting technical reviews, program reporting, and milestone-driven execution\r\nPreferred Qualifications\r\nExperience supporting prototype, flight hardware, or aerospace product development programs\r\nFamiliarity with test readiness reviews, integration planning, and engineering release processes\r\nUnderstanding of software integration within broader system architecture\r\nExperience supporting customer-funded programs, contract deliverables, or defense-related development efforts\r\nPMP certification or equivalent project/program management training is a plus\r\nWhere You'll Be:\r\nThe position is onsite at our headquarters in El Segundo, CA. Domestic travel may be required (up to ~20% of the year).\r\nWhat We Offer\r\nEquity-Based Compensation\r\nHighly Competitive PTO and Holiday Calendar\r\nComprehensive Medical, Dental, and Vision Coverage\r\nITAR Requirements\r\nTo conform to U.S. Government export regulations, applicant must be a (i) U.S. citizen or national, (ii) U.S. lawful, permanent resident (aka green card holder), (iii) refugee under 8 U.S.C. § 1157, or (iv) asylee under 8 U.S.C. § 1158, or be eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State. Learn more about ITAR.\r\nEqual Employment Opportunity\r\nSpace Kinetic provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, veteran status, disability, or any other legally protected status.\r\nPay Range\r\n$150,000-$255,000 USD\r\nJ-18808-Ljbffr","datePosted":"2026-07-25T00:23:31.495Z","dateModified":"2026-07-25T00:23:31.495Z","hiringOrganization":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Space Kinetic","sameAs":"https://jobsearcher.com"},"jobLocation":{"@type":"Place","address":{"@type":"PostalAddress","addressLocality":"El Segundo","addressRegion":"CA","addressCountry":"US"}},"identifier":{"@type":"PropertyValue","name":"JobSearcher","value":"8143be1ef45a79ec0e3e1c63"},"url":"https://jobsearcher.com/jobs/8143be1ef45a79ec0e3e1c63"}}