Senior Program Manager

Kepler is on an audacious mission: to bring the internet to space. Founded in 2015, our ambition is to provide internet connectivity in space, whether in LEO, MEO, GEO, or beyond. With an expanding base of early customers and our first 23 satellites in orbit, Kepler is continuing to grow and expand its most important asset – the Team!

As a Kepler US Program Manager, you will own program execution to grow and nurture our US Government partnerships and maintain our upward trajectory of success and growth. Ultimately, if you are motivated by the desire to optimize productivity and nurture program success from inception to completion; you are flexible and adaptive to a rapidly evolving work environment.

In this role, you will be responsible for the successful execution of satellite development program ensuring successful program start-up, execution, subcontract management, and customer satisfaction. You will serve as the primary program leader for all activities, with responsibilities for cost, schedule, and adherence to technical performance requirements. You will oversee the preparation and coordination of the technical design, build, integration, testing, launch, commissioning, and on-orbit operations.

You will be a key leader, partnering closely with our Engineering and Operations organizations to manage on-time and on-budget execution of these imperative efforts from program kick-off through operations. Additionally, you may be a key member of proposal teams for any opportunities that involve the development, modification, or operations of space vehicles.

To comply with federal government contracting regulations, this position requires U.S. citizenship due to the nature of the work involving access to classified or national security information.

Responsibilities:

• Lead the program execution, including creating detailed and resource-loaded Integrated Master Schedules (IMS).
• Establish a well-defined and technically sound baseline for the program.
• Develop comprehensive Program Management Plans, capture risks and opportunities, and consolidate cost estimates.
• Maintain cost, schedule, and adherence to technical performance requirements.
• Collaborate closely with cross-functional teams to ensure all aspects of the program are technically sound and aligned with customer requirements throughout execution.
• Develop and refine supplier Statements of Work (SOW), requirements baselines, and compliance documents.
• Works collaboratively with all functional organizations in guiding decisions to meet program objectives.
• Holding the teams accountable and making clear decisions on scope change, performance specifications, and being able to communicate clear recommendations to the business leadership on direction.
• Identifying barriers to successful program execution, helping the teams determine and finalize mitigation strategies for key risks, and escalating as appropriate.
• Interface with US Government customer as the single point of contact for customer interactions including program management reviews, customer bi-weekly reviews, and major program reviews.
• Clearly communicating program status and key performance indicators to stakeholders in the most effective forums.

Requirements:

• Bachelor's or Master’s degree (or equivalent) in Engineering or relevant technical field.
• 12+ years of experience in Program Management and/or Systems Engineering in a high-reliability environment.
• 8+ years of aerospace experience including R&D, AI&T, LEOP, commissioning, and operations.
• Ability to obtain a US Government security clearance
• Extensive program planning skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Exceptional organizational skills.
• Experience with managing highly complex development programs.

Bonus Points:

• Experience working with government/military customers.
• Program Management Professional certification.
• Knowledge and / or experience in optical communication satellites, components, conops, and interfaces.
• Active US Government security clearance
• Master of Business Administration or similar higher education.