Satellite Program Manager

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Loft Orbital is seeking a Senior Satellite Program Manager to own end-to-end delivery of spacecraft programs from contract award through on-orbit delivery. This execution leader builds credible baselines, owns Integrated Master Schedules, and drives disciplined execution across engineering, manufacturing, AIT, launch and suppliers while interfacing with customers. The ideal candidate has 5+ years in spacecraft or aerospace programs, a proven track record of end-to-end delivery and IMS mastery, and the ability to lead cross-functional teams under ambiguity. When applying, show IMS discipline, cost and risk control, and customer-facing experience; mention willingness to relocate to Toulouse or travel as needed, and we encourage applicants who may not meet every criterion.

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Loft Orbital is seeking a Senior Satellite Program Manager to lead execution of complex spacecraft and mission programs from contract award through on-orbit delivery. This role is accountable for establishing a credible program baseline and driving disciplined execution against it, across engineering, manufacturing, AIT, launch, and suppliers.
This is a hands-on execution leadership role — not a coordination role. You will build and own Integrated Master Schedules (IMS), manage cost and risk, and act as the primary execution interface to customers and internal leadership.

About this role:

• Program Ownership & Execution:
• Own end-to-end delivery of one or more complex satellite programs
• Establish and maintain the program baseline (scope, schedule, cost, risk)
• Drive execution to that baseline; lead replans and recovery when required
• Serve as the primary customer interface for execution, schedule, and delivery commitments
• Integrated Master Scheduling:
• Build and own logic-driven Level 4–5 IMSs
• Validate dependencies across hardware, software, AIT, launch, and suppliers
• Ensure schedules are executable, resource-aware, and actively used to manage work
• Drive weekly / biweekly execution cadence tied directly to the IMS
• Cost, Risk, and Decision Support:
• Own program ETC/EAC in partnership with Finance
• Maintain an active risk register with mitigation, off-ramps, and retirement criteria
• Prepare and lead internal and external program reviews (PMRs, design reviewed, readiness reviews)
• Provide leadership with clear decision data, not status theater
• Cross-Functional & Supplier Leadership:
• Drive alignment across engineering, product, manufacturing, software, mission ops, and launch
• Manage strategic suppliers as extensions of the program
• Escalate and resolve execution conflicts decisively
• Program Ownership, Customer Interface & Contract Execution:
• Own end-to-end program execution from contract award through on-orbit delivery
• Serve as the primary customer interface for execution, schedule, scope, and delivery commitments
• Translate contractual requirements into an executable program baseline
• Ensure customer expectations remain aligned with technical and schedule reality
• Contract Administration & Change Control:
• Own day-to-day contract administration for assigned programs, in partnership with Legal and Finance
• Track contractual obligations, milestones, deliverables, and acceptance criteria
• Lead assessment and negotiation of scope changes, contract modifications, and schedule impacts
• Ensure execution remains compliant with contract terms and data rights requirements
• Support invoicing milestones, deliverable acceptance, and customer reporting
• Reviews & External Communications:
• Lead customer program reviews, readiness reviews, and delivery checkpoints
• Ensure clear documentation of decisions, changes, and customer direction
• Act as Loft’s execution authority in customer-facing forums

Must Haves:

• 5+ years of experience in spacecraft, aerospace, or complex technical programs
• Demonstrated ownership of end-to-end program delivery
• Deep experience building and executing Integrated Master Schedules
• Strong understanding of spacecraft development lifecycles
• Proven ability to lead cross-functional teams under ambiguity

Nice to Haves:

• Experience with multi-program ownership or portfolios
• Familiarity with DCMA-style schedule health principles
• Experience interfacing with government or institutional customers

Some of Our Awesome Benefits:

• Equity, we want you to have an active role in our success
• Up to 35 days of Paid Time Off (vacations & RTT ) and flexible working hours, we want you to be at your best
• Health and life insurance, we care about your health
• Lunch Vouchers, because let’s be honest, we love food! (we even have a slack channel about it #loft-gourmand)
• Cross-office travel opportunities between San Francisco, Colorado, and Toulouse to learn from our differences
• Company and team off-sites and many other events to work & celebrate together
• Relocation assistance to Toulousewhen applicable

 *Research shows that while men apply to jobs where they meet an average of 60% of the criteria, women and other underrepresented people tend to only apply when they meet 100% of the qualifications. At Loft, we value respectful debate and people who aren’t afraid to challenge assumptions.  We strongly encourage you to apply, even if you don’t check all the boxes.
Who We Are
Loft: Space Made Simple. 
Founded in 2017, Loft provides governments, companies, and research institutions with a fast, reliable, and simple way to deploy missions in orbit.
We integrate, launch, and operate spacecraft, offering end-to-end missions as a service across Earth observation, IoT connectivity, on-orbit AI, national security missions, and more. Leveraging our existing space infrastructure and an extensive inventory of satellite buses, Loft is reducing years-long integration and launch timelines to months. With more than 30 missions flown, Loft’s flight heritage and proven technologies enable customers to focus on their mission objectives.
With a growing fleet on track to reach 30 satellites by 2027, we are scaling up quickly across our offices in San Francisco, CA | Golden, CO | and Toulouse, France to meet accelerating demand for space infrastructure.
As an international company your resume will be reviewed by people across our offices so please attach a copy in English.