Vice President of Product & Programs

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.

Solestial is seeking an experienced and visionary Vice President of Product & Programs to lead the strategy, execution, and lifecycle management of our product portfolio and key customer programs. This executive will own the roadmap for Solestial’s solar product lines and manage cross-functional program execution, ensuring alignment with business goals, customer needs, and technical innovation. This is a critical leadership role requiring a deep understanding of space systems, customer-centric product development, and program delivery at scale.

Your Mission

• Product Leadership
  • Define and drive the long-term product strategy and roadmap across all solar technologies and solutions.
  • Collaborate with engineering, business development, and marketing to define product requirements based on customer and market insights.
  • Translate technical innovation into compelling, manufacturable, and cost-effective space solar solutions.
  • Own the product lifecycle from concept through end-of-life, ensuring technical performance and qualification, market fit, and competitive differentiation.
• Program Management
  • Lead and scale the program management organization to deliver complex customer projects on time, on budget, and within scope.
  • Manage program requirements from negotiation/agreement during sales cycle to execution in production and verification through testing in delivery.
  • Serve as the executive sponsor for strategic customer programs, ensuring successful execution and customer satisfaction.
  • Oversee program planning, risk management, resource allocation, and progress reporting.
  • Establish and refine program delivery methodologies, tools, and best practices for a fast-moving aerospace environment.
• Team Building & Leadership
  • Build and mentor high-performing product management and program delivery teams.
  • Foster a culture of innovation, accountability, and continuous improvement.
  • Lead with clarity, providing strategic direction and operational guidance to cross-functional teams.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration
  • Partner closely with Engineering, Manufacturing, Operations, and Business Development to ensure product and program alignment with technical capabilities and market demands.
  • Interface with key external stakeholders including customers, government agencies, and supply chain vendors.

Required Qualifications

• 10+ years of experience in product management, program leadership, or engineering in aerospace, defense, or advanced energy sectors.
• 5+ years in a senior leadership or executive role with direct responsibility for product strategy and/or program execution.
• Deep knowledge of space systems, solar power technology, or spacecraft subsystems.
• Proven ability to lead complex, multi-disciplinary hardware programs from concept through delivery.
• Strong business acumen and ability to align technical decisions with commercial objectives.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and stakeholder management skills.
• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, physics, or a related technical field; MBA or advanced degree preferred.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working with satellite manufacturers, space agencies (e.g., DoD), or NewSpace companies.
• Familiarity with spaceflight certification processes, TRL maturation, and flight qualification.
• Understanding of manufacturing scale-up for high-reliability aerospace hardware.

Why Join Us?

• Be part of a groundbreaking team bringing scalable space-based power infrastructure to life.
• Lead the operational backbone of a company pushing the limits of what's possible in space manufacturing.
• Shape the processes, systems, and culture of a high-growth aerospace organization.

Our Benefits

• Competitive salary + equity - we want you to grow with us
• Generous, high-quality medical, dental, and vision coverage on day one of employment
• PTO of 15 days + annual Holiday Break and 10 paid holidays annually
• 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!