Position Summary

The Technical Program Manager, DoD Space Systems is responsible for leading the execution, delivery, and operationalization of a multi-million-dollar DoD funded program deploying real-time ML systems into operational satellite environments. This role serves as the central point of accountability for program execution, ensuring alignment across contractual obligations, technical delivery, security requirements, and real world operational constraints.

This role requires a leader who can balance disciplined program management with deep technical and operational understanding. The Technical Program Manager works closely with cross-functional teams including engineering, platform, security, product, and operations, as well as external government stakeholders, to ensure complex systems are delivered on time, within scope, and in compliance with DoD requirements. They translate operational needs from the ops floor into clear execution plans, while ensuring engineering teams remain focused and unblocked.

The Technical Program Manager plays a critical role in maintaining momentum across technically complex and highly regulated environments. This individual ensures accountability across the program's lifecycle, proactively manages risk, and drives clarity across stakeholders. By owning execution and acting as a trusted interface between RS21 and government partners, this role enables successful deployment, adoption, and sustained operation of Prequip and related systems in classified and operational settings.

RS21’s Prequip Space platform, originally developed under AFRL’s Hyperspace Challenge, delivers real time anomaly detection for satellite telemetry. We are expanding this capability into operational mission environments and seeking leaders who can deploy and sustain it under real world constraints.

Key Responsibilities

Program Execution & Delivery

Define the end-to-end execution plan for DoD-funded space systems deployments, from contract award through operational handoff on the satellite operations floor and owns program-level decision making authority.
Establish and maintain integrated program schedules, milestones, and delivery plans aligned to contractual requirements, technical dependencies, and operational constraints.
Partner with engineering and technical leadership to sequence work across multiple codebases and system components, ensuring coordinated delivery and readiness.
Proactively manage risks, dependencies, and delivery trade offs to maintain momentum and protect mission outcomes.
Promote alignment between execution plans and deployment timelines, adjusting scope and sequencing as needed to meet mission and contractobjectives.

Government & Stakeholder Engagement

Capable of independently representing RS21 in government facing environments by serving as the primary interface between RS21 and government stakeholders, including AFRL, Space Force partners, and operations floor teams.
Coordinate regular program reviews, status briefings, and milestone updates with government partners and internal leadership.
Ensure clarity and alignment across stakeholders on scope, timelines, risks, and delivery expectations.
Support collaboration with prime contractors or external partners when applicable.

Contract Management & Compliance

Oversee all aspects of contract execution, including managing milestones, deliverables, reporting obligations, and change control procedures.
Ensure program activities align with DoD compliance, security, and accreditation requirements.
Partner with internal teams to prepare required documentation, reviews, and audit materials.
Support contract modifications and scope adjustments in collaboration with leadership and government partners.
Experience supporting ATO, RMF, accreditation, or deployment into classified operational environments.

Technical & Operational Translation

Translate operational needs, workflows, and constraints from the ops floor into actionable engineering priorities and execution plans.
Partner with technical leads to ensure deployment approaches align with system architecture, security posture, and infrastructure realities.
Maintain awareness of system behavior across software, data pipelines, and infrastructure to support informed decision making.
Ensure operational requirements such as reliability, latency, and sustainment are incorporated into delivery plans.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

Serve as the central coordination point across engineering, platform, security, product, and leadership teams.
Collaborate with Project Managers to coordinate dependencies, allocate resources effectively, and sequence delivery activities.
Facilitate planning, execution, and review ceremonies as appropriate to the delivery model.
Drive alignment and decision making across technical and non-technical stakeholders, balancing mission needs, technical feasibility, and contractual commitments.

Performance Monitoring & Reporting

Monitor program performance by tracking execution metrics, milestone progress, and overall delivery of health against contract and deployment plans.
Identify and escalate risks, blockers, and deviations early, with clear mitigation strategies.
Prepare executive and government-facing reporting on program status, risks, and upcoming milestones.
Continuously identify opportunities to improve execution processes, communication, and delivery effectiveness based on lessons learned.

Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience in engineering, computer science, or a related field.
Active clearance required. Top Secret preferred. Must be eligible for SCI.
Prior experience managing DoD, Space Force, AFRL, or similar defense programs.
Strong familiarity with classified programs and ops-floor environments.
Experience as a Technical Program Manager or Program Manager supporting technically complex systems.
High-level technical literacy across machine learning systems, data pipelines, and cloud or on-prem infrastructure.
Strong organizational, communication, and stakeholder management skills.

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