Senior Technical Program Manager, Earth Observation

About the role

Muon seeks a Senior Technical Program Manager (TPM) to lead earth observation programs for U.S. Government customers. This is a high-visibility, high-impact role at the intersection of payload engineering and rapid-cycle space vehicle development. These programs span the full mission lifecycle — concept development and design through integration, launch, and on-orbit operations — and are executed under formal government contract structures with defined deliverables and milestones. The Senior TPM runs the program end to end: executing every contractual commitment and positioning Muon to win the work that follows.

The Senior TPM holds single-point accountability for delivering the program on schedule, within budget, and to technical performance standards. Operating with high autonomy on an accelerated contractual schedule, you will drive key milestones and lead cross-functional technical exchanges spanning systems engineering, payload, flight software, ground segment, and mission operations.

This position is hybrid and requires working on-site in our San Jose, CA office three days per week.

Responsibilities

Program Execution

• Serve as the single accountable owner for the program's cost, schedule, and technical baselines
• Own the integrated master schedule, cost baseline, and risk register; track and report progress against contract milestones
• Plan and run formal program events — internal readiness reviews, and customer-facing milestone deliverable reviews
• Maintain tight cost and schedule discipline; surface deviations to the customer promptly and with a recovery plan

Customer Interface

• Act as the primary programmatic interface to the Government customer, including contracting and technical representatives
• Lead technical exchange meetings and convert customer input into actionable program direction
• Own the delivery and quality of all contract data deliverables

Cross-Functional Leadership

• Direct a cross-functional team spanning systems engineering, payload, flight software, ground processing, and mission operations
• Partner with mission operations when program activities involve Muon's operational systems — without disrupting existing missions
• Drive design trades and study conclusions to closure on schedule, escalating crisply when decisions stall

Security, Compliance, and Growth

• Execute the program in full compliance with its government security requirements, including handling of controlled information and strict public-release restrictions
• Ensure compliance with ITAR/EAR export controls and U.S.-only performance requirements
• Support program growth: convert program artifacts into proposal-ready material and support capture of follow-on opportunities

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in engineering or a technical field, or equivalent experience.
• 8+ years of program management experience on complex aerospace or defense development programs, including direct ownership of cost, schedule, and technical baselines
• Experience executing U.S. Government contracts: statement-of-work and CDRL deliverables, milestone-based structures, and day-to-day work with government contracting and technical representatives
• Experience leading engineering teams through concept development, trade studies, and preliminary design
• Exceptional written communication skills — you will author and own the quality of customer-facing reports, design artifacts, and contract deliverables

Preferred Qualifications

• Satellite or instrument program leadership across the full lifecycle (design, build,
• integrate, test, operate)
• Domain experience with remote sensing systems — EO/IR, RF, or both — at the payload or mission level
• Direct experience working with USSF Space Systems Command or JPL 
• PMP certification or equivalent program management credentials
• Ability to obtain a security clearance

Salary

The salary range for this role is $206,000 - $232,000, plus a competitive equity grant and comprehensive benefits package. Final compensation will be determined based on skills, qualifications, experience, and geographic location as assessed during the interview process.