{"schemaVersion":"jobsearcher.job.v1","id":"bb1e54c5ab07ae17e37beb62","url":"https://jobsearcher.com/jobs/bb1e54c5ab07ae17e37beb62","canonicalUrl":"https://jobsearcher.com/jobs/bb1e54c5ab07ae17e37beb62","title":"Program Director, Special Programs","description":"SpaceX was founded under the belief that a future where humanity is out exploring the stars is fundamentally more exciting than one where we are not. Today SpaceX is actively developing the technologies to make this possible, with the ultimate goal ofenabling human life on Mars.\nPROGRAM DIRECTOR, SPECIAL PROGRAMS Join us in pioneering cutting-edge, innovative space-based capabilities that redefine National Security. Build revolutionary technologies to protect and advance our nation's most critical missions.\nRESPONSIBILITIES: Build and manage a team that delivers spacecraft hardware through volume production and flight\nDrive multiple active programs simultaneously and ensure good architectural decisions are being made, execution timelines are appropriately met, and roadblocks are removed quickly tomaintainrapid progress\nPersonally dive into the hottest problems with the team to ensure the most program threatening issues are getting the right amount of attention and action\nDevelop andmaintaina technical roadmap that grows the engineering team’s core capabilities andprogresses the portfolio of Special Programs missions\nCoach and develop future leaders in running programs and leading teams\nEstablish a strong engineering culture where individuals are willing to take healthy risks, and the environment is one where the best idea gets presented and wins\nPull together strong resource plans that ensure program success and inform credible hiring needs\nDevelop accurate sales forecasts with a demonstrated track record of achieving revenue milestones on time; prepare comprehensive program and capital budgets to ensure optimal investment in technology and program development\nEnsure production yields and on orbit performance aremaintainedat healthy levels\nServe as the primary contact for assigned US Government customers\nWork with multidisciplinary teams across the company to ensure timely submittal of high-quality mission deliverables and on-time execution of mission milestones\nBASIC QUALIFICATIONS: Bachelor’s degree in engineering or physics\n10+ years of experience in the aerospace industry\n5+ years of technical project management experience in an aerospace organization\nActive Top-Secret SCI, or DOE Level Q clearance\nPREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE: Strong ability to partner with other engineering disciplines to achieve ambitious objectives\n15+ years of professional experience in spacecraft engineering, test, and integration of payloads, ground systems, communications, and government systems, with in-depth knowledge of US Government spacecraft requirements\nDemonstrated excellence in technical program management\nDemonstrated success in negotiating, capturing, and executinglargeUS Government contracts.\nDetail-oriented, diligent, and hard-working with excellent customer interface and leadership skills\nExperience interacting with and presenting to the US Government\nKnowledge of US Government testing standards and specifications\nExcellent written and verbal communication skills\nADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS: Must be willing to work extended hours and/or weekends as needed to meet critical deliverable and launch/test schedule timelines\nAble to travel for short and extended trips as needed (up to25% travel)\nCOMPENSATION AND BENEFITS: Pay Range:\nProgram Director: $185,000.00- $260,000.00/per year.\nYour actual level and base salary will be determined on a case-by-case basis and may vary based on the following considerations: job-related knowledge and skills, education, and experience.\nBase salary is just one part of your total rewards package at SpaceX. You may also be eligible for long-term incentives, in the form of company stock, stock options, or long-term cash awards, as well as potential discretionary bonuses and the ability to purchase additional stock at a discount through an Employee Stock Purchase Plan. You will also receive access to comprehensive medical, vision, and dental coverage, access to a 401(k) retirement plan, short & long-term disability insurance, life insurance, paid parental leave, and various other discounts and perks. You may also accrue 3 weeks of paid vacation & will be eligible for 10 or more paid holidays per year. Employees accrue paid sick leave pursuant to Company policy which satisfies or exceeds the accrual, carryover, and use requirements of the law.\nITAR REQUIREMENTS: To 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 the ITAR here .\nSpaceX is an Equal Opportunity Employer; employment with SpaceX is governed on the basis of merit, competence and qualifications and will not be influenced in any manner by race, color, religion, gender, national origin/ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, mental or physical disability or any other legally protected status.\nApplicants wishing to view a copy of SpaceX’s Affirmative Action Plan for veterans and individuals with disabilities, or applicants requiring reasonable accommodation to the application/interview process should reach out to EEOCompliance@spacex.com .\n\n#J-18808-Ljbffr","company":"SpaceX","rawCompany":"spacex","city":"Hawthorne","state":"FL","isRemote":false,"isActive":false,"createdAt":"2026-07-29T03:17:29.743Z","occupations":[{"code":"13-1082.00","title":"Project Management Specialists","slug":"project-management-specialists"},{"code":"17-2011.00","title":"Aerospace Engineers","slug":"aerospace-engineers"},{"code":"11-9041.00","title":"Architectural and Engineering Managers","slug":"architectural-and-engineering-managers"}],"industries":[{"code":"927110","title":"Space Research and Technology","slug":"space-research-and-technology"},{"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"}],"jobPosting":{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"JobPosting","title":"Program Director, Special Programs","description":"SpaceX was founded under the belief that a future where humanity is out exploring the stars is fundamentally more exciting than one where we are not. Today SpaceX is actively developing the technologies to make this possible, with the ultimate goal ofenabling human life on Mars.\nPROGRAM DIRECTOR, SPECIAL PROGRAMS Join us in pioneering cutting-edge, innovative space-based capabilities that redefine National Security. Build revolutionary technologies to protect and advance our nation's most critical missions.\nRESPONSIBILITIES: Build and manage a team that delivers spacecraft hardware through volume production and flight\nDrive multiple active programs simultaneously and ensure good architectural decisions are being made, execution timelines are appropriately met, and roadblocks are removed quickly tomaintainrapid progress\nPersonally dive into the hottest problems with the team to ensure the most program threatening issues are getting the right amount of attention and action\nDevelop andmaintaina technical roadmap that grows the engineering team’s core capabilities andprogresses the portfolio of Special Programs missions\nCoach and develop future leaders in running programs and leading teams\nEstablish a strong engineering culture where individuals are willing to take healthy risks, and the environment is one where the best idea gets presented and wins\nPull together strong resource plans that ensure program success and inform credible hiring needs\nDevelop accurate sales forecasts with a demonstrated track record of achieving revenue milestones on time; prepare comprehensive program and capital budgets to ensure optimal investment in technology and program development\nEnsure production yields and on orbit performance aremaintainedat healthy levels\nServe as the primary contact for assigned US Government customers\nWork with multidisciplinary teams across the company to ensure timely submittal of high-quality mission deliverables and on-time execution of mission milestones\nBASIC QUALIFICATIONS: Bachelor’s degree in engineering or physics\n10+ years of experience in the aerospace industry\n5+ years of technical project management experience in an aerospace organization\nActive Top-Secret SCI, or DOE Level Q clearance\nPREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE: Strong ability to partner with other engineering disciplines to achieve ambitious objectives\n15+ years of professional experience in spacecraft engineering, test, and integration of payloads, ground systems, communications, and government systems, with in-depth knowledge of US Government spacecraft requirements\nDemonstrated excellence in technical program management\nDemonstrated success in negotiating, capturing, and executinglargeUS Government contracts.\nDetail-oriented, diligent, and hard-working with excellent customer interface and leadership skills\nExperience interacting with and presenting to the US Government\nKnowledge of US Government testing standards and specifications\nExcellent written and verbal communication skills\nADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS: Must be willing to work extended hours and/or weekends as needed to meet critical deliverable and launch/test schedule timelines\nAble to travel for short and extended trips as needed (up to25% travel)\nCOMPENSATION AND BENEFITS: Pay Range:\nProgram Director: $185,000.00- $260,000.00/per year.\nYour actual level and base salary will be determined on a case-by-case basis and may vary based on the following considerations: job-related knowledge and skills, education, and experience.\nBase salary is just one part of your total rewards package at SpaceX. You may also be eligible for long-term incentives, in the form of company stock, stock options, or long-term cash awards, as well as potential discretionary bonuses and the ability to purchase additional stock at a discount through an Employee Stock Purchase Plan. You will also receive access to comprehensive medical, vision, and dental coverage, access to a 401(k) retirement plan, short & long-term disability insurance, life insurance, paid parental leave, and various other discounts and perks. You may also accrue 3 weeks of paid vacation & will be eligible for 10 or more paid holidays per year. Employees accrue paid sick leave pursuant to Company policy which satisfies or exceeds the accrual, carryover, and use requirements of the law.\nITAR REQUIREMENTS: To 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 the ITAR here .\nSpaceX is an Equal Opportunity Employer; employment with SpaceX is governed on the basis of merit, competence and qualifications and will not be influenced in any manner by race, color, religion, gender, national origin/ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, mental or physical disability or any other legally protected status.\nApplicants wishing to view a copy of SpaceX’s Affirmative Action Plan for veterans and individuals with disabilities, or applicants requiring reasonable accommodation to the application/interview process should reach out to EEOCompliance@spacex.com .\n\n#J-18808-Ljbffr","datePosted":"2026-07-29T03:17:29.743Z","dateModified":"2026-07-29T03:17:29.743Z","hiringOrganization":{"@type":"Organization","name":"SpaceX","sameAs":"https://jobsearcher.com"},"jobLocation":{"@type":"Place","address":{"@type":"PostalAddress","addressLocality":"Hawthorne","addressRegion":"FL","addressCountry":"US"}},"identifier":{"@type":"PropertyValue","name":"JobSearcher","value":"bb1e54c5ab07ae17e37beb62"},"url":"https://jobsearcher.com/jobs/bb1e54c5ab07ae17e37beb62"}}