Spacecraft Program Manager

Job Purpose and Primary Objectives:

Benchmark Space Systems is looking for an analytically minded, results-driven Spacecraft Program Manager to join our Mission Success team and lead the next phase of one of Benchmark’s core spacecraft programs. This role sits at the center of the program, working closely across the company, our customers, subcontractors, and internal cross-functional teams to deliver successful program outcomes.

In this role, you will develop, analyze, and manage detailed development and delivery plans, program deliverable documentation, production schedules, material procurement plans, and program reporting metrics. You will serve as the primary customer-facing representative for the program and coordinate critical activities across functions ranging from R&D and engineering to production, supply chain, and finance. This is an ideal role for someone with strong analytical skills, a talent for organizing complexity into easily executable work, and a drive to deliver results.

This role can be based onsite at our Burlington, VT or Pleasanton, CA offices, or remote for candidates located in the Boulder, CO area.

About Benchmark:

At Benchmark Space Systems, we’re pioneering the future of in-space mobility. Our propulsion technologies provide satellites the ability to maneuver, avoid collisions, and maximize mission potential—all while contributing to a safer, more sustainable space environment.

Backed by recent funding and a growing slate of new flight contracts for government and commercial customers, we’re building a workplace where bold ideas and passionate people thrive. Engineers, innovators, and problem-solvers at Benchmark tackle some of the toughest challenges in spaceflight, working together to turn cutting-edge concepts into real-world solutions. If you're ready to help shape the next era of spaceflight, there's never been a better time to join Benchmark Space Systems.

Measurements of Success/Primary Job Responsibilities:

At its core, Benchmark is an entrepreneurial, fast paced organization. In this environment, we need all employees to solve problems, not be afraid to ask questions and be able to work with and help colleagues in different departments and positions by digging in and working on other tasks as needed/assigned depending on business needs. With that said, there are primary job responsibilities and measurements of success for this position, which are:

• Lead the program team in developing and managing program schedules, resource plans, material procurement plans, risk analyses, and budgets.
• Serve as the primary customer-facing representative; manage contractual requirements, change management, technical interchange meetings, program review meetings, and formal deliverables.
• Oversee subcontractor and supplier performance; negotiate and manage statements of work, ensure on-time delivery of critical path items, and resolve issues that threaten schedule or cost.
• Ensure effective coordination of program activities and communications across geographically distributed cross-functional and multi-company teams.
• Conduct regular program reporting, including monthly program updates and reforecasts of labor and material spend plans.
• Regularly communicate program status and plans with other internal program managers, team leaders, customers, and subcontractors.
• Escalate meaningful risks, issues, and opportunities to leadership in a timely and effective manner, including an assessment of options and a recommended path forward.
• At times, actively manage detailed production schedules in coordination with the Operations and Supply Chain teams.
• Support preparations for customer visits and meetings.
• Ensure rigorous compliance with agency-specific policies and security classification guides.
• At all times, maintain Benchmark’s outstanding reputation for operating at the highest levels of honesty, integrity, accountability, and transparency.

Education and/or Experience:

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in engineering (aerospace, electrical, or mechanical preferred), or a related technical field.
• 10+ years of professional experience in the high-technology or engineering industry, including program/project management of technical products.
• Demonstrated experience managing government contracts from capture/proposal through execution and closeout, including programs with significant subcontractors.
• Experience with:
• Scope definition and program planning, earned value management, risk management, schedule management tools, and financial controls.
• Wrike, MS Project, or similar planning tools.
• MS Excel and PowerPoint, or similar tools.
• Building the data-driven tools needed to plan, analyze, and communicate program plans and status.
• U.S. Person Requirement: Due to the nature of the work and access to export-controlled information, applicants must qualify as a U.S. Person under U.S. export control laws. Visa sponsorship is not available for this position now or in the future.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

What you bring to the position, or have the ability to swiftly learn and be successful in:

• Ability to organize complex work into easily executed work tasks.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and stakeholder management skills, including the ability to influence without direct authority.
• A record of delivering results even in the face of unexpected challenges.
• Timely, high-quality delivery of assigned tasks, with quick and clear communication of what is needed for completion, risks or challenges to completion, and options to address them.
• The ability to effectively manage and communicate schedule, budget, and technical information throughout the company and to customers and subcontractors.
• Ability, agility, and can-do attitude to work in an entrepreneurial, fast-paced, and matrixed cross-functional environment.
• Able to collaborate in a multi-team environment to plan and accomplish tasks and meet objectives.
• Communication Skills—Ability to understand, analyze and interpret business periodicals, technical procedures, or government policy.
• Uses effective written, visual presentation, and oral strategies to communicate technical problems and concepts to a range of technical and non-technical audiences.

What makes you stand out:

Experience with:

• Professional work in the aerospace industry.
• Government customers and defense contractors.
• Satellites, spacecraft operations, and propulsion systems.
• Key planning and analysis tools such as Wrike, MS Project, and MS Excel, demonstrated through certifications or other means.
• Applying AI tools to reduce the workload required for analysis, reporting, and document generation, demonstrated through certifications or other means.

Benefits:

• Health insurance (100% coverage for individuals, 80% for families).
• Vision & Dental Insurance.
• Company paid life, AD&D, and disability insurances.
• Voluntary Life Insurance.
• Employee Assistance Program.
• 401(k) with employer match.
• Flexible schedule.
• Unlimited vacation.

Physical Requirements/Working Conditions:
While performing duties of this job, the employee is predominantly functioning in a sedentary light office position with high frequency of telephone communication, keyboarding, and computer. The role also includes occasional travel to customer and subcontractor sites.

Benchmark Space Systems is an equal opportunity employer committed to fostering an inclusive, innovative environment with the best employees. We are committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, gender identity or Veteran status. If you have a disability or special need that requires accommodation, please contact us at careers @benchmark-space.com