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Programs & Business

Program Manager (Spacecraft)

Impulse Space logoImpulse Space$150,000–$200,000/yrRedondo Beach, CaliforniaFull TimeAdded 1w ago
  • US citizenship
  • ITAR / US person

How this pay compares

This posting states $150k–$200k a year. Open program manager jobs in California post a median of $161k a year, the middle half $135k–$194k, across 138 jobs that state their pay, so this one is within the middle half of what they post.

Program and project managers in California: pay by town and employer

About the job

As a Program Managerat Impulse, you will work across the breadth of one or more spacecraft programs, spearheading the planning, coordination, and execution of a variety of development, qualification, acceptance, and flight campaigns.

This role is responsible for ensuring cross-functional alignment, timely delivery, and efficient execution across hardware, software, testing, and operations teams - owning schedules, managing risks, and driving accountability. ## Responsibilities - Organize multi-disciplinary teams through all phases of complex spacecraft programs - Drive cross-functional planning including: Requirements definition and analysis - Schedule formulation, tracking, and resource allocation - Hardware and software configuration definition - Build and test work scope and order-of-operations - Identify risks and develop mitigation strategies to ensure delivery and mission success - Define and document critical processes for ensuring high-reliability - Coordinate with engineering, manufacturing, integration & test, supply chain, and customer teams - Manage internal and external stakeholders to ensure program alignment and transparency - Track and report program health, timelines, and key deliverables to senior leadership - Support proposal development, resource planning, and contract execution - Organize technical trade studies and key decisions ## Minimum Qualifications - Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Aerospace, Business, or related field - 5+ years' of demonstrated experience in aerospace, defense, or complex technical program management - Proven track record of managing hardware programs through lifecycle phases (development, test, production, and delivery) - Strong organizational, leadership, and communication skills - Proficient in project management tools (e.g., MS Project, Jira, Smartsheet) ## Preferred Skills and Experience - 7+ years' of demonstrated program experience with launch vehicles, spacecraft, or propulsion systems - Hands-on familiarity with systems engineering and integration processes - Proficiency with CAD software - Understanding of FAA/DoD regulatory environments and launch campaign logistics ## Additional Information Compensation bands are determined by role, level, location, and alignment with market data.

Individual level and base pay is determined on a case-by-case basis and may vary based on job-related skills, education, experience, technical capabilities and internal equity. In addition to base salary, for full-time hires, you may also be eligible for long-term incentives, in the form of stock options, and access to medical, vision & dental coverage as well as access to a 401(k) retirement plan.

Impulse Space’s spacecraft manufacturing business is subject to U.S. export regulations including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) and Export Administration Regulations (EAR). This position requires applicants to be either U.S.

Persons (i.e., U.S. citizen, U.S. national, lawful permanent U.S. resident (green card holder), an individual granted asylum in the U.S., or an individual admitted in U.S. refugee status) or persons eligible to obtain an export license from the U.S. Departments of State, Commerce, or other applicable U.S. government agencies. Learn more about the ITAR here .

Impulse Space is an Equal Opportunity Employer; employment with Impulse Space 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.

From Impulse Space's job posting, checked 7 Nov 2026. The employer's own page is the final word on requirements and availability.

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About Impulse Space

Transfer vehicles that carry satellites past the orbit their rocket leaves them in.

Pay on its listings: 100% of its open jobs state an hourly rate

How it pays: Paid as an employee on Impulse Space's own payroll (salaried or hourly, as each posting states).

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