The Sovereign Program Manager supports the planning, coordination, and delivery of sovereign and national-level programs within the RF and space systems portfolio. This role blends technical knowledge in RF, satellite communications, payload systems, and space architecture with hands-on program management responsibilities. The position helps ensure programs meet customer mission needs, follow required security and compliance guidelines, and are executed reliably and on schedule.
Your main responsibilities will be:
- Manage day-to-day program activities for sovereign RF and space initiatives, ensuring milestones, deliverables, and customer requirements are met.
- Serve as a technical and operational point of contact for sovereign customers and government partners.
- Provide technical support on RF system design, payload architectures, link performance, and waveform considerations.
- Coordinate work across multi-disciplinary engineering teams covering spacecraft, payload, ground systems, and RF subsystems.
- Monitor program baselines, risks, financial status, and contract deliverables to maintain program health.
- Ensure adherence to sovereign security guidelines, export controls, and specialized regulatory requirements.
- Support development of program plans, schedules, and technology updates that improve mission performance and system resilience.
- Work closely with engineering, operations, security, and supply chain teams to keep program execution aligned and integrated.
- Contribute technical input for design reviews, trade studies, and major program checkpoints.
- Promote strong team collaboration, clear communication, and consistent execution across program activities.
Your skills and qualifications:
Essential education and experience:
- Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Systems Engineering, or related field preferred; advanced degree welcomed.
- 10+ years of experience in RF, satellite communications, or space systems.
- 5+ years supporting or managing complex programs for defense or sovereign customers.
- Knowledge of RF space missions and payload architecture.
- Ability to work within secure and compliance-driven environments.
- A strategic thinker with a proven track record of PMO governance who seamlessly transitions into tactical, execution-focused roles to meet project demands.
- Experience supporting complex, multi-year programs with mission-critical dependencies.
- Strong understanding of RF and space systems, spectrum considerations, and secure communications.
- Familiarity with spacecraft subsystems, payload technologies, mission operations, and ground segment integration.
- Ability to operate within regulated or classified environments and meet sovereign customer requirements.
- Clear communication skills, including the ability to explain technical topics to non-technical stakeholders.
- Ability to travel domestically and internationally as required.
Desirable:
- Experience with RF hardware development, secure waveform design, or payload integration.
- Background supporting defense ministries, government agencies, or national-level programs.
- Experience working with geographically distributed or cross-cultural teams.
- Program management or systems engineering certification (e.g., PMP, INCOSE CSEP).