Senior Director, Space Payloads Program Manager

The Emerging Space Systems Division within the Leidos Space Business Area currently has an opening for a Space Payload Program Manager to work in our San Diego, CA office. This is an exciting opportunity to use your experience managing the design, build, and test of Overhead Persistent Infrared (OPIR) payloads where Leidos is transforming the payload solutions for the future.

As the Space Payload Program Manager, you’ll directly support the division by leading a talented team through an aggressive schedule to achieve program objectives, including frequent customer interface. This role is pivotal in driving the successful execution and delivery of complex space payload projects, ensuring they meet stringent DoD standards and contribute to improving our national defense capabilities.

The ideal candidate will have a robust background in program management within the aerospace or defense sectors and drive strategic thought, system solutions, and client management across all aspects of the lifecycle, from program capture through delivery. Day-to-day activities in this role would include operations and execution of the contract, subcontract, finance, security, staffing, and procurement. You’ll monitor and manage program performance, risk, cost, and schedule; quality review and submission of all deliverables; and preparation of contract modification proposals (technical and cost).

The ideal candidate will possess superior analytical and problem-solving skills, operate independently with limited supervision and feedback, be a strong team player, and can establish solid working relationships with technical staff members and peers within the division as well as our external Government customers. The Space Payload Program Manager should be able to articulate the technical challenges to executive leadership and work closely with the engineering team to identify and understand technical risk and ensure appropriate corrective actions are taken to mitigate the risks.

Primary Responsibilities

• Lead the end-to-end management of space payload programs, from concept through delivery, ensuring alignment with DoD requirements and company objectives.
• Oversee the development, testing, and integration of space payloads, coordinating with cross-functional teams to ensure project milestones are met on time and within budget.
• Establish program management process and methodologies within the program to include: WBS management, IMS management, Risk and Opportunity management, and EVM cost management Capture new business by developing RFIs and BOEs, and approve proposals on behalf of program management
• Negotiate SOW, T&Cs, and price with subcontractors and prospective customers/business partners
• Serve as the primary point of contact for clients, stakeholders, and internal teams, ensuring clear communication and reporting on program status, risks, and issues.
• Develop and maintain detailed program plans, schedules, and budgets, track progress and implementing corrective actions as needed.
• Ensure compliance with all regulatory, security, and quality standards pertinent to DoD and space payload operations.
• Facilitate risk management and mitigation strategies, conducting regular risk assessments and maintaining contingency plans.
• Mentor and guide junior program managers and team members, fostering a culture of continuous improvement and professional development.
• Coordinate with subcontractors and suppliers to ensure timely delivery of components and services that meet program specifications.
• Ensure program is properly staffed to execute scope of work on time and within budget.
• Establish and maintain program business rhythm.
• Work closely with subcontract program manager to ensure on-time delivery from the subcontractors.
• Oversee development, manufacturing, assembly, integration, and test of the payload and uses key metrics to ensure the program is on track to promised delivery date.
• May potentially provide supervisory assistance.
• Be highly proficient in communication/writing skills.
• This position is not intended for program managers without prior operational hardware experience and significant firm fixed price program ownership.

Basic Qualifications

• Must have an active DoD Secret clearance or higher and have the ability to obtain Top Secret/SCI Bachelor’s degree and 17+ years of prior relevant experience or Masters with 15+ years of prior relevant experience.
• Experience in successfully managing firm fixed price development programs $100M+ in size.
• Must have proven experience managing complex projects within the aerospace or defense industry, including electro/optical product design, development, fabrication, and test.
• Strong understanding and experience executing PM activities: cost (EVM), schedule, Customer engagement, management of firm fixed price (FFP) contracts.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to interface with senior management, clients, and technical teams.
• Demonstrated ability to manage engineering resources in program execution, including standing up a new team on behalf of an organization or a program.
• Prior experience in Systems Engineering or Project Engineering.
• Adaptability to new challenges with a strong motivation to grow and learn in new areas.
• The successful candidate should be a creative problem solver and demonstrate a broad ranging technical management and team development experience encompassing: Electro-optical multispectral and hyperspectral imaging sensors for ground, airborne and space applications Visible and infrared focal plane array and photo-detector technology Process and system development Risk analysis and management.

Preferred Qualifications

• Active possession of a Top-Secret clearance, or ability to obtain and maintain Masters degree in a relevant field.
• Experience translating functional requirements into tasks.
• Experience in managing space payload programs (R&D, prototype, low volume production) Vehicle/platform integration experience and/or test and evaluation.
• Demonstrated experience leading an engineering organization.
• Familiarity with Agile project management methodologies.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with a track record of successfully resolving complex project issues.
• Demonstrated experience with winning follow-on contracts within an existing program.

If you're looking for comfort, keep scrolling. At Leidos, we outthink, outbuild, and outpace the status quo — because the mission demands it. We're not hiring followers. We're recruiting the ones who disrupt, provoke, and refuse to fail. Step 10 is ancient history. We're already at step 30 — and moving faster than anyone else dares.

Original Posting: August 14, 2026 For U.S. Positions: While subject to change based on business needs, Leidos reasonably anticipates that this job requisition will remain open for at least 3 days with an anticipated close date of no earlier than 3 days after the original posting date as listed above.

Pay and Benefits

Pay and benefits are fundamental to any career decision. That's why we craft compensation packages that reflect the importance of the work we do for our customers. Employment benefits include competitive compensation, Health and Wellness programs, Income Protection, Paid Leave and Retirement. More details are available here.

Pay Range

Pay Range $154,050.00 - $278,475.00 The Leidos pay range for this job level is a general guideline only and not a guarantee of compensation or salary. Additional factors considered in extending an offer include (but are not limited to) responsibilities of the job, education, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities, as well as internal equity, alignment with market data, applicable bargaining agreement (if any), or other law.

Leidos Leidos is an industry and technology leader serving government and commercial customers with smarter, more efficient digital and mission innovations. Headquartered in Reston, Virginia, with 47,000 global employees, Leidos reported annual revenues of approximately $17.2 billion for the fiscal year ended January 2, 2026. For more information, visit

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Commitment and Diversity

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, race, ethnicity, age, national origin, citizenship, religion, physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, pregnancy, family structure, marital status, ancestry, domestic partner status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran or military status, or any other basis prohibited by law. Leidos will also consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories consistent with relevant laws.