Sovereign Program Manager

About the role

The Sovereign Program Manager supports the planning, coordination, and delivery of sovereign and national-level programs within the RF and space systems portfolio. This role blends technical knowledge in RF, satellite communications, payload systems, and space architecture with hands-on program management responsibilities. The position helps ensure programs meet customer mission needs, follow required security and compliance guidelines, and are executed reliably and on schedule.

Your main responsibilities will be

• Manage day-to-day program activities for sovereign RF and space initiatives, ensuring milestones, deliverables, and customer requirements are met.
• Serve as a technical and operational point of contact for sovereign customers and government partners.
• Provide technical support on RF system design, payload architectures, link performance, and waveform considerations.
• Coordinate work across multi-disciplinary engineering teams covering spacecraft, payload, ground systems, and RF subsystems.
• Monitor program baselines, risks, financial status, and contract deliverables to maintain program health.
• Ensure adherence to sovereign security guidelines, export controls, and specialized regulatory requirements.
• Support development of program plans, schedules, and technology updates that improve mission performance and system resilience.
• Work closely with engineering, operations, security, and supply chain teams to keep program execution aligned and integrated.
• Contribute technical input for design reviews, trade studies, and major program checkpoints.
• Promote strong team collaboration, clear communication, and consistent execution across program activities.

Essential education and experience

• Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Systems Engineering, or related field preferred; advanced degree welcomed.
• 10+ years of experience in RF, satellite communications, or space systems.
• 5+ years supporting or managing complex programs for defense or sovereign customers.
• Knowledge of RF space missions and payload architecture.
• Ability to work within secure and compliance-driven environments.
• A strategic thinker with a proven track record of PMO governance who seamlessly transitions into tactical, execution-focused roles to meet project demands.
• Experience supporting complex, multi-year programs with mission-critical dependencies.
• Strong understanding of RF and space systems, spectrum considerations, and secure communications.
• Familiarity with spacecraft subsystems, payload technologies, mission operations, and ground segment integration.
• Ability to operate within regulated or classified environments and meet sovereign customer requirements.
• Clear communication skills, including the ability to explain technical topics to non-technical stakeholders.
• Ability to travel domestically and internationally as required.

Desirable

• Experience with RF hardware development, secure waveform design, or payload integration.
• Background supporting defense ministries, government agencies, or national-level programs.
• Experience working with geographically distributed or cross-cultural teams.
• Program management or systems engineering certification (e.g., PMP, INCOSE CSEP).

Pay and benefits

We offer a compensation package that includes a competitive base salary plus annual performance bonus and benefits. We consider many factors when determining salary offers, such as candidate's work experience, education, training & skills, as well as market and business considerations. We are also open to considering candidates with experience and qualifications at a different level than required in a job posting, which may affect the compensation package offered.