Sr. Program Manager Satellite Payload Development/Production

Responsibilities for this Position

Sr. Program Manager Satellite Payload Development/Production

ID: 2026-70054
USA-AZ-Scottsdale USA-VA-Chantilly USA-PA-Pittsburgh USA-CA-San Jose
Required Clearance: Top Secret
Posted Date: 1/5/2026
Category: Program/Project Management
Employment Type: Full Time
Hiring Company: General Dynamics Mission Systems, Inc.

Basic Qualifications

Bachelors degree or equivalent is required plus a minimum of 10 years relevant experience; or Master's degree plus a minimum of 8 years relevant experience to meet managerial expectations.

CLEARANCE REQUIREMENTS:

Department of Defense TS security clearance is required at time of hire. Candidates must be able to obtain a TS/SCI clearance within a reasonable amount of time from date of hire. Applicants selected will be subject to a U.S. Government security investigation and must meet eligibility requirements for access to classified information. Due to the nature of work performed within our facilities, U.S. citizenship is required.

Responsibilities for this Position

Job Description:

Responsibilities for this Position

Develop industry-leading RF satellite payloads for National Security Space programs, working with payload architects and build/test teams to revolutionize both on-board processing capability and time-to-market.

As a Payload Development Program Manager for our Space Systems business area, you will lead teams of specialists in satellite electronics design and production to build, test, and deliver high-performance RF and processing equipment to our prime contractor customers. You will manage multi-$100M program(s) sponsored by our National Security Space customers. You will be responsible for program execution, customer relationships, program sales/earnings/cash-flowgoals and forecasts, and program shaping strategies to manage execution risk while delivering next-generation capabilities supporting our customers mission. In partnership with our engineering project managers, you will create program execution plans and schedules, proactively manage risks and opportunities, and skillfully address schedule and technical issues. You will present program status and strategies to corporate executives and customer senior leaders. In partnership with our Business Development professionals, you will lead proposals to win new and follow-on programs.

In this role youll be exposed to cutting-edge technologies, leading cross-functional teams of engineering and manufacturing professionals to develop advanced microelectronics, AI/ML technologies, advanced digital signal processing, and high throughput mission processing capabilities for application in Radio Frequency (RF) systems and other complex National Security space systems.

• We encourage you to apply if you have any of these preferred skills or experiences: Proven program management experience with high-reliability spaceflight hardware for National Security Space, strong foundation in Earned Value Management and structured risk management, or leadership in RF payload development and production.

The primary execution team is based in Scottsdale, AZ. We will also consider candidates based out of our offices in Chantilly, VA, Pittsburgh, PA, or San Jose, CA.

What youll experience:

• Technologies that arent just top-notch, theyre often top-secret
• A team of bold thinkers committed to exploring whats next
• Opportunities to gain new knowledge - as its discovered

What you bring to the table:

• A Bachelors degree or equivalent plus a minimum of 8 years relevant experience; or Master's degree plus a minimum of 6 years relevant experience to meet managerial expectations
• Strong knowledge of products and technologies including current and potential applications
• Skilled in the development and implementation of product/program strategy and tactics, particularly related to lower rate production of build to print hardware designs, demonstrating the ability to identify and implement efficiency improvements
• Exceptional verbal and written communication skills to relay issues, impacts, and corrective actions on programs to internal and external representatives
• Proven experience managing critical customer relationships ensuring healthy collaboration while protecting the program from scope creep.
• Demonstrated skills understanding and carefully managing complex contracts and contract requirements

What sets you apart:

• Mission focus, with willingness to learn our customers mission and advocate for our solutions in mission terms using the customers vocabulary
• Experience in resolving schedule challenges and implementing contingency plans, as well as overseeing recovery from build/test issues
• Experience managing scope control on complex development/production contracts, including fixed-price contracts
• Interest in overseeing programs with a strong component of technology maturation and technology risk management, and willingness to learn the related RF technology fundamentals
• Comfortable managing a portfolio that evolves over time; at times, you may be responsible for one large program or multiple smaller technology development programs
• Ability to work collaboratively with highly experienced engineers and architects to solve technical and programmatic challenges, including design-to-cost and design-to-schedule

This role can be onsite or flex. but must be based from one of the locations listed above.

#LI-Hybrid

Salary Note

This estimate represents the typical salary range for this position based on experience and other factors (geographic location, etc.). Actual pay may vary. This job posting will remain open until the position is filled.

Combined Salary Range

USD $203,851.00 - USD $220,574.00 /Yr.

Company Overview

General Dynamics Mission Systems (GDMS) engineers a diverse portfolio of high technology solutions, products and services that enable customers to successfully execute missions across all domains of operation. With a global team of 12,000+ top professionals, we partner with the best in industry to expand the bounds of innovation in the defense and scientific arenas. Given the nature of our work and who we are, we value trust, honesty, alignment and transparency. We offer highly competitive benefits and pride ourselves in being a great place to work with a shared sense of purpose. You will also enjoy a flexible work environment where contributions are recognized and rewarded. If who we are and what we do resonates with you, we invite you to join our high-performance team!

Equal Opportunity Employer / Individuals with Disabilities / Protected Veterans

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