Senior Technical Program Manager (m/w/d)

We're Solestial, and we are building cutting-edge silicon solar power for space. Our tech is designed to survive the extremes-radiation, vacuum, launch shock-and deliver reliable energy to satellites, lunar missions, and beyond. We are a fast-growing startup backed by strategic, experienced investors in the Space and High Tech sectors, and we're on a mission to make off-world energy as scalable and dependable as it is here on Earth. As we accelerate the future of space solar, we're looking for a Senior Technical Program Manager who thrives on bringing customers, engineering, and operations together to deliver mission-ready solutions.

As Senior Technical Program Manager, you will lead customer programs across the full lifecycle, from pre-award planning and proposal development through design, production, test, delivery, and closeout. You will translate customer requirements into initial system concepts through electrical power analysis and technical trade studies, while coordinating closely with engineering, operations, production, and business development. You will own program execution by managing schedules, risks, requirements, technical reviews, customer communications, and internal leadership reporting to ensure that program deliverables are completed on time and meet performance objectives. As Senior Technical Program Manager you will actively participate in cutting-edge solar module design and work closely with the growing portfolio of Solestial customers. In addition, you will work closely with technology and business development regarding product roadmap and production scale plans to ensure timely delivery to customers while meeting specified performance parameters.

Your Mission

• Directly manage accounts within the business portfolio regularly interfacing with customers through the entire program lifecycle including pre-award efforts and project closeout.
• Regularly communicate with customers providing technical overviews and programmatic updates on progress across engineering & development, schedule execution, risk and mitigation status, production progress, and other key program health indicators.
• Perform system level trades and electrical power analysis to create initial design concepts devised from customer provided driving requirements and objectives.
• Develop customer specific designs throughout the program lifecycle managing requirements and engineering tasks by working directly with the technology development and production teams.
• Plan, coordinate, and collaboratively work with the operations team providing inputs to strategic planning such as milestones and key dates, critical schedule and technical dependencies, and mission specific requirements.
• Contribute to proposal development by providing inputs such as engineering and programmatic scope descriptions, cost estimates for non-recurring and recurring deliverables or tasks, and schedule estimations as an output of detailed planning with stakeholders.
• Regularly provide upward status to internal company leadership regarding overall program health, risk status, and schedule progress and updates.
• Lead coordination and execution of major technical reviews such as PDR/CDR including manufacturing and test readiness reviews externally with customers and among internal stakeholders.
• Assist Business Development and support the sales team in business capture through reviewing and providing programmatic and technical content for SOWs, grants, proposals, and competitive technical solutions.
• Consistently execute established program management processes ensuring strong follow-through across stakeholders and identify opportunities to improve existing workflows or develop and implement new processes where needed.

What You Bring

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in a technical field
• 5+ years of relevant experience as a Program Manager or Systems Engineer in the aerospace industry
• Ability to communicate technical material clearly and professionally
• Ability to represent the company professionally to external parties
• Proficiency with developing schedules, managing dependencies, and identifying opportunities and risks
• Experience with satellite electrical systems and solar arrays or photovoltaic technology
• Familiarity with common solar cell technologies and qualification procedures
• Experience using AutoCAD or similar design software

Our Benefits

• Competitive compensation - we want you to grow with us
• Generous, high-quality medical, dental, and vision coverage on day one of employment
• 15 vacation days, 5 sick days, and 10 paid holidays annually - with an extended holiday break at year's end
• 401K with employer match up to 4% of salary
• Employer-paid short-term and long-term disability and employer-sponsored life insurance
• Your work will literally go to space!