Senior Technical Program Manager

Kapta Space, a VC-funded early-stage startup in Seattle, WA, is breaking new ground in Geospatial Intelligence. Our technology centers around a proven, scalable electronically-steered radar for sophisticated spaceborne applications such as earth observation using synthetic aperture radar (SAR) techniques, as well as enabling advanced defense missions such as target tracking on the ground and in the air.

Kapta is seeking a Senior Technical Program Manager to drive execution of hardware and software development programs from design through qualification and delivery. You will own the integrated schedule, budget, and risk posture for your program(s), serving as the primary link between engineering and external customers. This is a high-visibility role suited for someone equally as comfortable in technical design reviews and executive status reporting.

The Senior Technical Program Manager will work closely with Engineering, Quality, Supply Chain, and Operations leadership to transition products from development into repeatable, scalable production.

Role

• Develop and maintain an integrated program schedule with measurable milestones across design, fabrication, integration and test phases.
• Own program-level cost, schedule and risk metrics; report status, variances, and recovery plans to leadership and government customers.
• Drive cross functional execution across Engineering to remove day-to-day execution obstacles.
• Maintain program risk register and other program specific documentation; identify, escalate and drive risks to closure.
• Support configuration management activities in coordination with engineering and quality.
• Proactively collaborate with supply chain on long-lead procurement, supplier qualification, and component availability tied to program milestones.
• Support radiation qualification and phased test campaign planning as applicable to hardware programs.
• Support engagement with customers, suppliers, and subcontractors throughout the product development life cycle.
• Own contract data deliverables (CDRLs) and government reporting requirements for currently funded efforts.
• Communicate technical and programmatic progress clearly to internal leadership and external government stakeholders.
• Contribute to proposal development, technical volumes, and program planning for future opportunities.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Physics or related technical discipline.
• PMP or equivalent program/project management certification.
• 8-10 years of direct experience in technical program/project management on hardware development programs, ideally in aerospace, defense or space systems.
• Demonstrated ability to manage complex, multidisciplinary programs (electrical, mechanical, RF and/or software) through full lifecycle: design, integration, test, delivery.
• Experience with schedule and risk management tools (Smartsheet, JIRA, or similar).
• Familiarity with US Government contracting environments (FAR/DFARS, OTA).
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with ability to present to both engineering teams and executive/external audiences.
• Demonstrated understanding of program planning, budget control, schedule execution, risk management, and cross-functional resource management.
• Excellent communication skills, with ability to clearly present technical findings and collaborate effectibely across engineering functions.

Bonus if candidates have experience and skills in the following areas

• Prior work in small, fast-iteration aerospace teams.
• Familiarity with space-qualified component engineering, radiation-tolerant design trade-offs and COTS-to-space conversion strategies.
• Experience with space hardware qualification standards (MIL-STD-750, NASA-STD-7002, ASTM F1192 or similar).
• Familiarity with configuration management standards.
• Prior experience supporting DARPA, Space Force or other national security space programs.

U.S. Citizenship, Lawful Permanent Residency, or Refugee/Asylee Status Required

To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), Kapta Employees must be U.S. citizens, lawful U.S. permanent residents (i.e., current Green Card holder), or lawfully admitted into the U.S. as a refugee or granted asylum, or be eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State or Commerce as applicable.

Kapta Space is committed to a diverse and inclusive workplace. We believe that diversity drives innovation, strengthens our team, and broadens our capabilities. We are an equal opportunity employer and do not discriminate on the basis of race, national origin, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, protected veteran status, disability, age, or other legally protected status. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds and encourage individuals from underrepresented groups to apply.

Kapta Space does not engage with external recruiters or agencies without prior written agreement. If you are a recruiter (individual or agency) and wish to engage with Kapta Space for talent acquisition, please email hr@kaptaspace.com.

The estimated salary range for this role reflects base pay only and is influenced by a variety of factors. Actual offers may vary based on factors including, but not limited to, a candidate's experience, education or training, specialized expertise, and the needs of the business. In addition to base pay, full-time roles include competitive equity grants that reward innovation, impact, and long-term growth. Our total compensation philosophy is designed to recognize excellence while fostering a culture of collaboration, curiosity, and shared success.