Program Manager

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ALTEN is seeking an experienced Program Manager to lead a spacecraft mission in London, overseeing end-to-end delivery from design through integration, testing and mission readiness. The role is on-site 1-2 times per month, requires a clearable security status and mid-level space industry experience, and demands proven ability to manage multidisciplinary teams, schedules, budgets and risk across design, systems, electrical, mechanical, RF, software, payload and AIT. Key duties include maintaining programme coherence, leading SRR, PDR, CDR and TRR reviews, stakeholder communications, and ensuring compliance with high reliability space standards and configuration control. Desirable ECSS familiarity, AIT exposure and contract management. To apply, tailor your CV to show direct spacecraft program involvement, highlight end-to-end lifecycle management, leadership and reporting, readiness for security clearance, and a proactive interest in building tomorrow with ALTEN; mention flexibility and career development.

Company Description

ALTEN is a global engineering and technology consultancy operating across over 35 countries worldwide. We partner with industry leaders across sectors including Aeronautics, Aerospace, Defence, Naval, Automotive, Energy, Rail, IT and many more to deliver innovative engineering solutions that drive technological advancement & support sustainable transformation.

Our teams of passionate and agile engineers work on cutting-edge projects that shape the future of technology and sustainability. At ALTEN, we empower talented engineers to innovate, solve complex challenges, and deliver impactful solutions that build tomorrow’s world—today.

Join us and start building tomorrow’s world today!

Job Description

Seeking an experienced Program Manager to join our team in London to lead the delivery of a major spacecraft mission within the space sector. You will oversee programme execution from early design phases through integration, testing, and final mission readiness, ensuring technical, schedule, and delivery objectives are met across all engineering domains.

• Location: London
• On Site: 1-2x a month
• Clearance: Clearable 
• Experience Level: Mid Level 

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead the end‑to‑end programme delivery for a complex spacecraft mission, ensuring alignment with mission objectives and customer expectations.
• Own the programme schedule, milestones, dependencies, and critical paths, driving on‑time delivery across all work packages.
• Coordinate multidisciplinary engineering teams (systems, electrical, mechanical, RF, software, payload, AIT) to maintain programme coherence.
• Oversee risk management, identifying programme‑level risks and implementing mitigation strategies with engineering leads.
• Manage budget, resources, and reporting, ensuring financial and operational transparency throughout the programme lifecycle.
• Lead technical and programme reviews (SRR, PDR, CDR, TRR), ensuring readiness, completeness, and quality of deliverables.
• Maintain strong stakeholder communication, providing clear updates on progress, risks, decisions, and required actions.
• Ensure programme activities comply with high‑reliability space standards, quality requirements, and mission constraints.
• Oversee configuration control, ensuring changes are properly assessed, approved, and documented.
• Support spacecraft integration, test, and verification phases, ensuring smooth transitions into AIT and mission readiness.
• Drive continuous improvement in programme processes, communication flows, and delivery efficiency.
• Represent the programme at senior‑level discussions, customer meetings, and strategic planning sessions.

Qualifications

Required Skills:

• Mandatory Space industry experience — direct involvement in spacecraft programmes, satellite development, or mission‑critical space projects.
• Proven experience managing complex technical programmes with multidisciplinary engineering teams.
• Strong understanding of spacecraft development lifecycles (design, integration, testing, verification).
• Skilled in schedule management, milestone tracking, and programme‑level planning.
• Experience with risk management, issue tracking, and mitigation planning.
• Ability to interpret technical documentation and communicate effectively with engineering leads and stakeholders.
• Strong organisational, leadership, and communication skills.
• Experience leading programme reviews and reporting to senior management.

Required Qualifications:

• A Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Engineering, or equivalent military experience.

Desirable Skills:

• Familiarity with ECSS or similar space‑industry standards.
• Experience with configuration management and change‑control processes.
• Exposure to spacecraft AIT workflows and programme‑level test campaign planning.
• Understanding of mission operations preparation and launch‑site coordination.
• Experience with project management tools and methodologies.
• Ability to support contract management, supplier coordination, and external partner communication.

Additional Information

Why join us? 

We bring together entrepreneurial, tech-driven people to deliver innovative solutions for leading companies.

At ALTEN, you’ll work on exciting projects, supported by ongoing learning, mentoring, and clear career development tailored to your goals.

Join a passionate team and help build tomorrow, today.

In short you get: 

• A personalised career path and a rewarding management style 
• A huge diversity of engineering projects and industries
• Private Medical Insurance
• Cycle & Tech Scheme 
• Employee assistance programme
• Life insurance & Pension Scheme
• Social atmosphere, regular gatherings & team buildings
• Flexible way of working (role dependent)

We are proud to support the Armed Forces Covenant & actively encourage applications from members of the Armed Forces community, including veterans, reservists, service leavers, and military spouses/partners. We recognise the value of military skills and experience and are committed to ensuring that no applicant is unfairly disadvantaged during our recruitment and selection processes. 

ALTEN is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace and values the strength that comes from a global mix of backgrounds and perspectives. We welcome applications from all suitably qualified candidates, regardless of background or protected characteristics under the Equality Act 2010. If you require any reasonable adjustments during the recruitment process, please let us know. 

This role may require you to have or be willing to go through Security Clearance. As part of the onboarding process candidates will be asked to complete a Baseline Personnel Security Standard; details of the evidence required to apply may be found on the government website Gov.UK. If you are unable to meet this and any associated criteria, then your employment may be delayed, or rejected . Details of this will be discussed with you at interview.