Senior Program Manager, Secure Space Data Systems

About the role

About the role Muon Space seeks a Senior Program Manager to lead the development, demonstration, and productization of secure data-handling capabilities for our satellite platforms. This work directly expands the set of national-security missions Muon can pursue and execute — the Program Manager owns both the program's execution and its transition into active proposals and funded flight programs. This is a hands-on role at the intersection of hardware development, embedded firmware, security engineering, and government mission capture. It is a technical program management position: the right candidate contributes directly to the engineering — architecture, design, analysis, and test — as a working member of the team, not just its coordinator. The Program Manager is the single accountable owner for cost, schedule, and technical performance across the program's parallel swimlanes: cryptographic hardware carrier development, hardware-in-the-loop (HITL) testbed build-out, end-to-end encrypted data-path demonstration (ground-to-flight and flight-to-ground), and proposal-ready design artifacts for upcoming government opportunities. Because the team is small and senior, the PM does their own scheduling, cost tracking, and program control — there is no supporting program office. This position is hybrid and requires working on-site in our San Jose, CA office three days per week. Responsibilities - Program Execution - Own the integrated master schedule, cost baseline, and risk register for the program - Drive the program through design reviews, hardware build and integration, test campaigns, and demonstration milestones — meeting all internal and customer commitments - Run the weekly program cadence; make decisions with incomplete information at startup pace and escalate crisply when needed - Security and Compliance - Own the program's security and compliance posture, including controlled-material handling and coordination with government security processes and certification requirements - Ensure all execution complies with ITAR/EAR export controls and U.S.-only performance requirements - Technical Contribution and Cross-Functional Leadership - Contribute directly to the engineering and design of the system — architecture and trade studies, requirements development, design analysis, and hands-on support of integration and test - Partner closely with the Mission Manager, Chief Engineer, and cross-disciplinary technical leads to drive technical decision-making - Own configuration control and drive resolution of cross-functional issues quickly, escalating to program leadership when needed - Capture and Proposal Support - Support active proposal and capture efforts with technical artifacts and cost and schedule inputs, without derailing baseline execution - Partner with Business Development, Capture, and Product teams on transitioning the capability into funded flight programs - Represent the program in customer and partner technical exchanges Required Qualifications - 6+ years of professional experience in program management of complex technical system development spanning hardware and software - 5+ years of hands-on engineering experience (electrical, embedded systems, mechanical, RF/communications, or similar), with the ability and desire to contribute directly to design, analysis, and test while leading the program - Direct experience with space, defense, or aerospace programs that handle CUI or classified data - Demonstrated ownership of a board- or box-level hardware development effort through design reviews to a working, tested product - Experience leading testbed, HITL, or ground-segment development and running structured verification or demonstration campaigns - Working understanding of secure communications concepts — Type 1 encryption, Red/Black separation, key management — and their program-level implications (certification timelines, custody requirements, cleared-personnel constraints) - Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. Top Secret clearance - U.S. Citizenship required (program is ITAR-restricted) - Excellent written communication skills — you will author or approve design review packages, test plans and results, and customer-facing technical artifacts Preferred Qualifications - Active Secret or TS/SCI clearance - Prior experience integrating NSA Type 1 cryptographic units (e.g., HAIPE-class devices) or managing COMSEC/CCI on a flight program - Direct experience working with SDA, NRO, USSF Space Systems Command, or similar customer offices - Familiarity with embedded firmware and FPGA development lifecycles — board bring-up, driver development, DITL testing - Experience running IR&D or capability-development programs whose artifacts feed concurrent proposals and captures - Experience supporting classified proposal development and color-team reviews - PMP certification or equivalent program management credentials Salary The salary range for this role is $206,000 - $232,000 , plus a competitive equity grant and comprehensive benefits package. Final compensation will be determined based on skills, qualifications, experience, and geographic location as assessed during the interview process. About Muon Space Founded in 2021, Muon Space is an end-to-end Space Systems Provider that designs, builds, and operates LEO satellite constellations delivering mission-critical data. Our revolutionary, integrated technology stack enables customers to optimize every dimension of their missions for faster time-to-orbit and superior constellation remote sensing performance. Our state-of-the-art facility in the heart of Silicon Valley is optimized for manufacturing spacecraft and rapid, flexible payload integration at scale. From climate monitoring to national security, Muon Space is dedicated to delivering Earth Intelligence for a safer and more resilient world. Taking Care of Our Team At Muon salary is only part of our total compensation package. In addition to salary, full-time employees receive equity compensation as well as benefits including medical, dental, and vision insurance, a 401k retirement plan, short & long term disability and life insurance. We also offer three weeks paid vacation for new employees, along with 12 paid holidays, unlimited sick time and paid parental leave. Our mission embraces the entire planet and we believe our team should too. Muon is dedicated to creating a diverse and dynamic company and workforce. We believe in equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, age, national origin, citizenship, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, or gender identity. We value diversity in the workplace, and that starts with our applicants. We encourage you to apply, even if you don't check all the boxes, and we look forward to reviewing your application! In addition, if you need a reasonable accommodation as part of your application for employment or interviews with us, please let us know. Muon is currently registered and able to hire in the following states: AL, AZ, CA, CO, CT, DC, FL, GA, IL, IA, ID, MD, MA, MI, MN, MO, NJ, NY, NC, OH, OR, PA, TN, TX, VT, VA, WA ITAR/EAR Requirements This position requires access to export controlled information. To conform to U.S. Government export regulations applicable to that information, applicant must either be (A) a U.S. person, defined as a (i) U.S. citizen or national, (ii) U.S. lawful, permanent resident (green card holder), (iii) refugee under 8 U.S.C. § 1157, or (iv) asylee under 8 U.S.C. § 1158, (B) eligible to access the export controlled information without a required export authorization, or (C) eligible and reasonably likely to obtain the required export authorization from the applicable U.S. government agency. The Company may, for legitimate business reasons, decline to pursue any export licensing process.