Program Manager (Space Missions)

Location: Los Angeles, California

Compensation: $160,000 – $220,000 + Performance Bonus

Environment: Smallsat Design, Manufacturing & Space Missions

The opportunity

Imagine being responsible for a satellite programme from the moment a customer signs the contract to the moment their spacecraft is operating in orbit.

Not just managing the schedule.

Not simply coordinating meetings between engineering teams.

But taking genuine ownership of the entire mission.

EVONA is partnering with a fast-growing international satellite manufacturer that is expanding its operations across the United States, developing next-generation spacecraft for commercial operators, government organisations and scientific missions.

The company specialises in advanced, software-flexible satellites and is investing heavily in its engineering capabilities, manufacturing infrastructure and US operations.

As part of this expansion, we're looking for an experienced Program Manager to join the team in Los Angeles, California.

Someone who understands spacecraft.

Someone who can bring engineers, manufacturing teams, suppliers and customers together.

And someone who knows what it takes to turn a complex satellite programme into a successful mission.

This isn't a role where you'll simply report on progress. You'll be responsible for making progress happen.

What will you actually be responsible for?

You'll take ownership of satellite programmes from contract award through design, development, manufacturing, integration, testing, launch preparation and on-orbit operations.

From the outset, you'll be the person connecting the dots.

Systems engineers will be developing the spacecraft architecture.

Mechanical and electrical engineers will be designing and building the hardware.

Manufacturing teams will be preparing the spacecraft for assembly.

AI&T engineers will be validating that everything works as intended.

And customers will be expecting their missions to be delivered on time, within budget and to the agreed technical requirements.

Your responsibility will be to bring all of this together.

You'll develop programme schedules, establish milestones, allocate resources and manage budgets, ensuring everyone understands what needs to happen and when.

You'll lead programme reviews, coordinate technical decisions and work closely with engineering teams to manage requirements, design trade-offs and potential risks.

You'll also be responsible for supplier coordination, financial forecasting, cost analysis and reporting programme performance to senior leadership.

And when challenges arise, as they inevitably do in spacecraft development, you'll be the person helping the team find a solution.

Because building satellites is complicated.

Delivering them successfully requires someone who can see the entire picture.

You'll be involved in every stage of the mission

One week, you might be preparing for a Preliminary Design Review (PDR), working with systems engineers to ensure the proposed spacecraft architecture meets customer requirements.

The next, you could be managing a critical supplier delay, reviewing manufacturing readiness or working with the engineering team to resolve an unexpected technical issue.

As the programme progresses, your attention will shift towards spacecraft integration and environmental testing.

You'll work alongside AI&T teams as the spacecraft undergoes vibration testing, thermal vacuum testing and electromagnetic compatibility testing.

You'll help ensure the spacecraft is ready for launch integration, that documentation and customer deliverables are complete, and that the mission is progressing towards its operational objectives.

Throughout all of this, you'll remain the primary point of contact for the customer.

You'll provide clear programme updates, manage expectations and ensure technical, financial and schedule commitments remain aligned.

From the first design review to the final stages of mission delivery, you'll have visibility and influence across the entire programme.

And ultimately, you'll get to see the spacecraft you've helped deliver operating in space.

Technical credibility really matters here

We're not looking for someone whose entire career has been spent managing projects without understanding the engineering behind them.

We need someone who can sit in a room with spacecraft engineers, understand the technical discussion and ask the right questions.

You don't need to be the expert in every subsystem.

But you do need to understand how the pieces fit together.

That includes spacecraft structures, electrical systems, avionics, communications, attitude determination and control, onboard computing and the ground segment.

You'll understand why technical decisions made early in a programme can have significant implications for manufacturing, testing, launch and operational performance.

You'll also appreciate the trade-offs involved in developing small satellites, where mass, power, volume, performance, cost and schedule are constantly competing priorities.

Experience with smallsat and ESPA-class spacecraft would be particularly valuable.

Ideally, you'll have previously worked as a Systems Engineer on an actual flight programme or developed significant expertise in a major spacecraft subsystem.

Because when an engineering challenge threatens the programme, we need someone who understands the implications rather than simply updating the risk register.

What kind of experience are we looking for?

We're looking for someone who has spent at least seven years working within aerospace or satellite engineering, including a minimum of three years in programme or project management.

You'll ideally bring:

A degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering or a related technical discipline. A Master's degree would be advantageous.
Experience managing satellite or spacecraft programmes through design, manufacturing, integration, testing and mission operations.
Previous hands-on systems engineering experience on a flight programme, or significant technical expertise in a major spacecraft subsystem such as ADCS or C&DH.
A strong understanding of small satellite architectures, spacecraft systems, space sensors and ground infrastructure.
Experience leading technical milestones, including PDR, CDR and other major design and programme reviews.
Familiarity with spacecraft environmental testing, including vibration, thermal vacuum and EMI/EMC.
Proven experience managing programme budgets, cost forecasts, schedules, suppliers and technical risks.
Experience working with commercial satellite customers, government organisations or institutional space programmes.
The ability to lead multidisciplinary engineering teams and maintain delivery momentum under challenging timelines.

You'll also need strong communication skills and the confidence to work with customers, engineers, suppliers and senior executives.

But beyond the technical requirements, we're looking for someone with a particular mindset.

Someone who takes responsibility.

Someone who isn't afraid to challenge a technical assumption or raise a concern when something doesn't look right.

Someone who can make informed decisions, remain calm under pressure and bring people together when a programme needs direction.

And importantly, someone who genuinely enjoys the challenge of delivering complex space missions.

Why is this opportunity different?

Because you'll be joining an organisation at a particularly exciting stage of its growth.

The company is expanding its US presence, investing in new manufacturing capabilities and building the engineering teams needed to support increasingly ambitious satellite programmes.

You'll be joining a business where the distance between engineering, programme management and senior leadership is relatively short.

You'll have the opportunity to influence decisions, challenge existing processes and help shape how programmes are delivered as the organisation scales.

Rather than becoming one small part of an enormous aerospace programme, you'll have genuine ownership of the missions you're responsible for.

You'll also collaborate closely with experienced spacecraft engineers across the company's international offices, including its European headquarters.

That means exposure to different engineering teams, technologies, customers and approaches to satellite development.

And because the organisation is growing, there will be opportunities to develop your responsibilities and career alongside it.

What's on offer?

Salary: $160,000 – $220,000 USD

The final package will reflect your technical background, programme management experience and the complexity of missions you've previously delivered.

You'll also receive:

Health insurance coverage
Matching 401(k) plan
Generous team performance-based bonus
Opportunities to collaborate with international engineering teams
Professional development and ongoing learning
Access to specialist space education programmes
Opportunities for international travel
The chance to take ownership of complex, next-generation satellite missions