Technical Project Manager

Vast is looking for a Technical Project Manager, reporting to the Staff Technical Project Manager, Satellites, to support the development of the systems that will be required for the design and build of human-rated space stations. This will be a full-time, exempt position located in our Long Beach location. 

As Vast expands into high-power satellite buses, we need  to execute with discipline. As our TPM, you'll be the engine  behind cross-subsystem coordination — tracking action items, managing dependencies, owning the risk register, and  making sure the right people have the right information to keep commitments. You'll work across every engineering  subsystem and be deeply embedded in the program office, with the technical credibility to engage with engineers and  the execution mindset to keep things moving.

Responsibilities: 

• Own the program action item tracker and drive closure across all engineering subsystems and cross-functional partners
•  Facilitate and lead recurring program execution meetings (weekly status, risk reviews, milestone look-aheads);publish clear meeting notes and follow-ups
•  Maintain the program risk register; track mitigation actions and escalate unresolved risks to program leadership
•   Manage cross-subsystem dependencies and surface conflicts before they impact the schedule
•  Support milestone and program review readiness (SRR, PDR, CDR, MRR, TRR) — coordinate inputs, track open items, and ensure artifacts are delivered on time
•  Collaborate with the Master Scheduler to ensure execution status is reflected in the IMS
•  Produce concise, accurate program status reports for internal leadership and external stakeholders
•  Identify process gaps and build lightweight, repeatable project management infrastructure as the program scales

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Physics, or related technical field
• 3+ years of experience managing cross-functional hardware development programs or projects
• Demonstrated proficiency with project tracking tools (JIRA, Smartsheet, Confluence, MS Project, or equivalent)
• Strong organizational skills and ability to manage multiple concurrent workstreams without dropping threads
• Technical background sufficient to engage with engineers on hardware development topics

Preferred Skills & Experience:

• Demonstrated proficiency leading and executing a large satellite space program
• 3+ years of experience as a supporting engineer on a development program
• PMP certification
• Experience in aerospace, defense, or spacecraft hardware development
• Familiarity with satellite subsystems and spacecraft development lifecycle
• Exposure to EVMS and formal program reviews (PDR, CDR, etc.)
• Experience building PM processes at a startup or scaling organization
• Logical and strategic approach to solving problems
• Comfortable working in a high-stress environment balancing several projects at any given time, and the flexibility to adjust for abrupt changes in strategic direction.

Additional Requirements:

• On-site presence in Long Beach required
•  Ability to work extended hours around proposal deadlines and major program milestones