Program Manager

Zachary Piper Solutions is seeking a Program Manager to support our client in El Segundo, CA. The Program Manager will lead complex systems acquisition and program management efforts within the Space Domain Awareness (SDA) and Space Surveillance & Reconnaissance (S&R) mission areas. This role provides embedded support to a government space reconnaissance team, driving rapid, integrated delivery of next-generation space capabilities aligned with the Warfighting Acquisition System (WAS).

Responsibilities of the Program Manager include:

• Guide acquisition strategies, program schedules, budgeting, contracting actions, and resource allocation
• Oversee program execution across space, ground, and communication segments, including delivery milestones, testing, integration, and risk mitigation
• Coordinate cross-functional communication between government and contractor stakeholders
• Organize and lead technical interchange meetings (TIMs), staff meetings, and progress reviews
• Apply configuration and change management practices to ensure traceability across program artifacts
• Evaluate contractor technical designs, milestone reviews, and system maturity assessments
• Manage independent technical and programmatic reviews to validate progress and mission alignment
• Provide guidance on funding commitments, obligations, and expenditures
• Promote rapid acquisition approaches aligned with the Warfighting Acquisition System (WAS)

Qualifications for the Program Manager include:

• Bachelor's degree and 15+ years of DoD weapons systems acquisition and program management experience
• Background in Space Domain Awareness (SDA) systems, including sensors, data processing, analytics, tracking, data fusion, and orbit determination
• Knowledge of DoDI 5000.02 acquisition processes, JCIDS, and PPBE
• Active Tier 5 (T5) investigation with SCI eligibility, and willingness to complete a polygraph

Preferred Qualifications:

• Advanced degree in business or related field
• Experience with National Security Space or Space Control missions
• Knowledge of space-based EO payloads, SDA algorithms, software, and data processing architectures
• Experience supporting USSF/SSC or operational units such as Delta 9, NSDC, JTF - SD, or CSpOC
• Prior work in government program offices with requirements, configuration, testing, and risk management
• Professional certifications (PMP, PgMP, PMI, Agile PM/PO)

Compensation for the Program Manager includes:

• Salary Range: $170,000-$200,000 depending on experience
• Full Benefits Package: PTO, Paid Holidays, Medical, Dental, Vision, 401K, and more

Keywords

Space Domain Awareness, SDA, Space Surveillance, Space Reconnaissance, S&R, Space Control, Space Systems Command, SSC, U.S. Space Force, USSF, Warfighting Acquisition System, WAS, DoD acquisition, DoDI 5000.02, JCIDS, PPBE, Program Management, Project Management, Weapon Systems Acquisition, Systems Engineering, Rapid Acquisition, Space-Based Sensors, Electro-Optical Payloads, EO payloads, Spacecraft Integration, Space Operations, Orbit Determination, Space Object Tracking, Data Fusion, Conjunction Assessment, Sensor Networks, Space Data Processing, SDA Analytics, Ground Segment Integration, Space-Ground Integration, Communication Segment, TIMs, Technical Interchange Meetings, Risk Management, Configuration Management, Change Management, Requirements Management, Contractor Oversight, Milestone Reviews, Independent Technical Reviews, Budget Management, Funding Execution, SCI eligibility, Polygraph, T5 investigation, Continuous Vetting, National Security Space, Delta 9, NSDC, JTF-SD, CSpOC, El Segundo, Program Planning, Government Program Office, Acquisition Strategy

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