Program Manager - Space Solutions

Program Manager – Space Solutions

Location: Bellevue, WA (Protingent headquarters); regular travel to client sites and industry events

Employment Type: Full-time, exempt

About Protingent

Protingent is an ESOP-owned technical staffing firm founded in 2001, providing engineering and technology talent to clients across aerospace, space, semiconductor, defense, medical device, AI/cloud, and advanced manufacturing. Headquartered in Bellevue, Washington, Protingent has supported the space industry for more than a decade and is now expanding beyond traditional staff augmentation into solutions and managed-services engagements for its core industry sectors, including space.

Position Summary

Protingent is building a solutions and managed-services line of business focused on the space industry, and the Program Manager – Space Solutions will be an important part of this expansion. This role combines business development, client relationship management, and hands-on program/project delivery: you will use your credibility and network in the space sector to win new solutions and managed-services engagements with satellite manufacturers, launch providers, spacecraft integrators, and commercial space and government primes, then structure and oversee their delivery. You will also build the playbook — pricing models, delivery frameworks, and staffing processes — that lets Protingent scale this offering within its space industry client base, drawing on the company's decade-plus track record in the sector.

Key Responsibilities

• Business development: Identify, cultivate, and win solutions and managed-services opportunities with space industry clients — satellite manufacturers, launch providers, spacecraft integrators, and commercial space or government primes — leveraging existing industry relationships and building new ones.
• Solution design: Scope, structure, and price statement-of-work and managed-services engagements that go beyond traditional staff augmentation, in partnership with sales, recruiting, and executive leadership.
• Program delivery: Own end-to-end delivery of awarded programs — staffing plans, milestones, budget, risk, and quality — ensuring client satisfaction and repeat business.
• Playbook development: Build repeatable frameworks, pricing models, and delivery processes that let Protingent scale its space industry solutions/managed-services offering beyond a single hire.
• Industry presence: Represent Protingent at space industry conferences and events (e.g., Space Symposium, SpaceCom, AIAA) as a credible subject-matter voice, generating pipeline and reinforcing the company's reputation in the sector.
• Reporting: Provide regular updates to executive leadership on pipeline, program health, margin performance, and growth of the space solutions/managed-services business.

Required Qualifications

• 8+ years of program or project management experience within the space industry (satellite, launch vehicle, spacecraft integration, ground systems, or a related space program office).
• Demonstrated ability to manage complex, multi-disciplinary technical programs and senior client relationships.
• Strong business development instincts and comfort owning growth and revenue targets, not just program delivery.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to engage credibly with client executives and technical stakeholders alike.
• Willingness and ability to travel regularly to client sites and industry events.

Preferred Qualifications

• Existing network of relationships across space industry primes, commercial space companies, or government space program offices (e.g., NASA, Space Force).
• PMP or equivalent program/project management certification.
• Prior experience in staffing, consulting, or another professional/technical services environment, including delivery models involving contracted or managed technical staff.
• Familiarity with aerospace quality and program frameworks (e.g., AS9100, NASA/DoD program management standards).
• Active or obtainable security clearance.

Compensation & Benefits

Competitive base salary plus performance-based incentives tied to solutions/managed-services growth, commensurate with experience. Protingent is 100% employee-owned (ESOP), and this role includes participation in the company's ownership program along with standard health and retirement benefits.

Department: Solutions & Managed Services

Reports To: President

Protingent is an Equal Opportunity Employer.