Senior Satellite Program Manager

Job Description

Job Description

Loft Orbital is seeking a Senior Satellite Program Manager to lead execution of complex spacecraft and mission programs from contract award through on-orbit delivery. You will be accountable for establishing a credible program baseline and driving disciplined execution against it, across engineering, manufacturing, AIT, launch, and suppliers.  This is a hands-on execution leadership role - not a coordination role. You will build and own Integrated Master Schedules (IMS), manage cost and risk, and act as the primary execution interface to customers and internal leadership.

In this role, you will be the lead program manager on a major strategic international mission at the earliest stages of development. The program begins with an initial multi-satellite deployment focused on resilient broadband communications infrastructure, with a long-term vision that could scale into a significantly larger sovereign constellation capability. Success on this mission positions Loft at the forefront of a transformational international space partnership and creates substantial long-term growth opportunities for the company.

Please note: this role is open to help us build our future pipeline for Satellite Program Management talent. We’re very interested in hearing from strong candidates now, but this is not an immediate hire and we may not be able to reach out or move quickly on applications right away.

About this role:

• Program Ownership & Execution:
• Own end-to-end delivery of one or more complex satellite programs
• Establish and maintain the program baseline (scope, schedule, cost, risk)
• Drive execution to that baseline; lead replans and recovery when required
• Serve as the primary customer interface for execution, schedule, and delivery commitments

• Integrated Master Scheduling:
• Build and own logic-driven Level 4–5 IMSs
• Validate dependencies across hardware, software, AIT, launch, and suppliers
• Ensure schedules are executable, resource-aware, and actively used to manage work
• Drive weekly / biweekly execution cadence tied directly to the IMS

• Cost, Risk, and Decision Support:
• Own program ETC/EAC in partnership with Finance
• Maintain an active risk register with mitigation, off-ramps, and retirement criteria
• Prepare and lead internal and external program reviews (PMRs, design reviewed, readiness reviews)
• Provide leadership with clear decision data, not status theater

• Cross-Functional & Supplier Leadership:
• Drive alignment across engineering, product, manufacturing, software, mission ops, and launch
• Manage strategic suppliers as extensions of the program
• Escalate and resolve execution conflicts decisively

• Program Ownership, Customer Interface & Contract Execution:
• Own end-to-end program execution from contract award through on-orbit delivery
• Serve as the primary customer interface for execution, schedule, scope, and delivery commitments
• Translate contractual requirements into an executable program baseline
• Ensure customer expectations remain aligned with technical and schedule reality

• Contract Administration & Change Control:
• Own day-to-day contract administration for assigned programs, in partnership with Legal and Finance
• Track contractual obligations, milestones, deliverables, and acceptance criteria
• Lead assessment and negotiation of scope changes, contract modifications, and schedule impacts
• Ensure execution remains compliant with contract terms and data rights requirements
• Support invoicing milestones, deliverable acceptance, and customer reporting

• Reviews & External Communications:
• Lead customer program reviews, readiness reviews, and delivery checkpoints
• Ensure clear documentation of decisions, changes, and customer direction
• Act as Loft’s execution authority in customer-facing forums

Must Haves:

• 8+ years of experience in spacecraft, aerospace, or complex technical programs
• Demonstrated ownership of end-to-end program delivery
• Deep experience building and executing Integrated Master Schedules
• Strong understanding of spacecraft development lifecycles
• Proven ability to lead cross-functional teams under ambiguity

Nice to Haves:

• Experience with multi-program ownership or portfolios
• Experience leading LEO satellite missions
• Familiarity with DCMA-style schedule health principles
• Experience interfacing with government or institutional customers

Some of Our Awesome Benefits:

• 100% company-paid medical, dental, and vision insurance option for employees and dependents
• Flexible Spending (FSA) and Health Savings (HSA) Accounts offered with an employer contribution to the HSA
• 100% employer paid Life, AD&D, Short-Term, and Long-Term Disability insurance
• Flexible Time Off policy for vacation and sick leave, and 12 paid holidays
• 401(k) plan and equity options
• Daily catered lunches and snacks in office
• International exposure to our team in France
• Fully paid parental leave; 14 weeks for birthing parent and 10 weeks for non-birthing parent
• Carrot Fertility provides comprehensive, inclusive fertility healthcare and family-forming benefits with financial support
• Off-sites and many social events and celebrations
• Relocation assistance when applicable

 * Research shows that while men apply to jobs where they meet an average of 60% of the criteria, women and other underrepresented people tend to only apply when they meet 100% of the qualifications. At Loft, we value respectful debate and people who aren’t afraid to challenge assumptions.  We strongly encourage you to apply, even if you don’t check all the boxes.

Who We Are

Loft: Space Made Simple. 

Founded in 2017, Loft provides governments, companies, and research institutions with a fast, reliable, and simple way to deploy missions in orbit.

We integrate, launch, and operate spacecraft, offering end-to-end missions as a service across Earth observation, IoT connectivity, on-orbit AI, national security missions, and more. Leveraging our existing space infrastructure and an extensive inventory of satellite buses, Loft is reducing years-long integration and launch timelines to months. With more than 30 missions flown, Loft’s flight heritage and proven technologies enable customers to focus on their mission objectives.

With a growing fleet on track to reach 30 satellites by 2027, we are scaling up quickly across our offices in San Francisco, CA \u007C Golden, CO \u007C and Toulouse, France to meet accelerating demand for space infrastructure.

As an international company your resume will be reviewed by people across our offices so please attach a copy in English.