Program Manager

York Space Systems was founded to radically improve spacecraft affordability and reliability, transforming, and enabling next- generation space mission operations worldwide. Today, York is one of the most innovative aerospace companies, specializing in end-to-end customer solutions and the rapid production of spacecraft platforms. York’s complete Space Segment Solution includes spacecraft production, payload integration, system integration & test, launch services, ground segment services, and mission operations, enabling customers to leverage York’s existing technology solutions to get to orbit rapidly and responsively. We’re looking to expand our team across the board.

The Program Manager owns execution for a single mission or small constellation, leading cross‑functional teams through the full lifecycle from proposal and design through build, test, launch, and operations. The PM maintains the contract baseline, manages customer expectations, and makes day‑to‑day tradeoffs to deliver on scope, schedule, and cost. This role requires hands‑on leadership, strong technical fluency, and the ability to prove experience across real‑world program events and gate reviews.

This role will be fully on-site in our Greenwood Village, Colorado office.

Key Responsibilities

Classified Program Leadership

• Strong experience in understanding security governance and documentation for execution on a program
• Clearly demonstrates the ability to provide guidance and processes for managing access and handling data transfers
• Ability to proactively identify security concerns in non‑York facilities for testing and integration
• Ability to work with the security team to protect the program and company from security violations

Strong Contract Acumen

• Clear experience in managing customer expectations on FFP (Firm Fixed Price) contracts with the USG
• Consistently managing contract updates for additional scope requests and maintaining program milestone payments
• Leveraging the contractual documents to facilitate difficult discussions with the customer that protect the program from unnecessary scope growth
• Manage customer expectations through clear, proactive communication and evidence‑based options when issues arise

Clear Executive Communication

• Communicate crisply with York executives on strategy/execution
• Communicate clearly with customer leadership on:
  • Agreements and decisions
  • Addressing vague requirement language
  • Deliverable expectations
  • Payment criteria on all milestones
• Clearly defined deadlines and priorities for all key program suppliers
  • Experience in working strategically with small company executive leadership for beneficial solutions

Programmatic and Technical Breadth and Depth

• Lead full lifecycle execution for a single mission or small constellation, managing scope, schedule, budget, risks, and deliverables
• Execute key lifecycle events: SRR, PDR, CDR, PSR, and O&S; lead recovery plans for resets/redesigns and NRE
• Own the FFP baseline: track performance to plan, manage changes for added scope/revenue, and leverage contract documents in difficult customer conversations
• Experience maturing technology from TRL4→TRL7/9 and integrating new payload capabilities
• Drive agile, data‑driven program rhythms (dashboards, metrics) to maintain program health and de‑risk execution early

Driving Internal Progress in Matrixed Organization

• Coordinate integrated teams (engineering, production, supply chain, finance, operations) and influence progress without relying on a large support org
• Driven to ensure the ball won’t drop – experience in working outside your swim lane or standard work background
• Ability to find innovative and low cost solutions to internal issues as they arise across the life of the program

This role will not have direct reports.

Qualifications

Required for the Role

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, technical discipline, or related field.
• 5+ years leading complex hardware/software programs; proven product/system delivery.
• Prior experience in cleared environments and TS/SCI eligibility.
• Ability to work full‑time onsite in Greenwood Village, CO.

Preferred For The Role

• Experience in high-autonomy, high-complexity environments (aircraft/aerospace manufacturing, oil & gas operations, high-reliability industrial systems).
• Experience in agile methodologies applied to hardware development (Scrum, SAFe).
• Master’s degree in engineering or management.
• Experience in high-growth startup environments.

In compliance with local law, we are disclosing the compensation, or a range thereof, for roles in locations where legally required. Actual salaries will vary based on several factors, including but not limited to external market data, internal equity, location, skill set, experience, and/or performance.

Key Benefits

• 100% employer-paid medical, dental, and vision insurance (subject to spousal surcharge).
• Company holidays, floating holidays, and sick time.
• Unlimited PTO.
• Generous 401(k) match.
• Participation in our discretionary annual bonus and equity programs.

This role is eligible to participate in our equity award program. Any award is discretionary and not guaranteed and may be contingent upon individual and/or Company performance. The amount, timing, and terms of any equity award will be determined in accordance with the Company’s equity incentive plan and applicable policies. Other rewards may include annual bonuses, short- and long‑term incentives, and accomplishment‑specific awards.

York Space Systems provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, military or protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws. Must have permanent authorization to work in the United States. This policy applies to all terms and conditions or employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training. YORK SPACE SYSTEMS IS AN EEO EMPLOYER.

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