Propulsion Development Project Manager

Astrobotic Technology, Inc. is a space robotics company that seeks to make space accessible to the world.  The company’s suite of lunar landers delivers payloads to the Moon for companies, governments, universities, non-profits, and individuals.  The company is also developing advanced space robotics capabilities such as terrain relative navigation, mobile robotics for lunar surface operations, and reliable computing systems for mission-critical applications.  Originally spun out of Carnegie Mellon University in 2007, Astrobotic is pioneering affordable planetary access that promises to spark a new era of exploration, science, tourism, resource utilization, and mining.  Astrobotic’s headquarters is in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, with a second location in Mojave, California.

Astrobotic is enabling sustainable access and utilization of the Moon, Mars, and beyond. Through its recent acquisition of Masten Space Systems, we’ve been building and flying reusable rockets for nearly two decades with the most successful rocket-powered landings in the industry. We work directly with NASA, defense, and commercial customers to develop the tech it takes to break down the barriers to space. Together, we’ll make wild napkin ideas possible by taking them from the lab, to the test site, all the way to the lunar surface and beyond.

This position will enable propulsion system development and integration throughout many of Astrobotic’s ongoing projects and missions, both lunar and terrestrial. As a project manager for propulsion system development, this role will help project manage propulsion system development and test activities, including significant engagement with many of Astrobotic’s propulsion vendors in the greater LA area.  This position will be based at Astrobotic’s Mojave, California location. This role will support propulsion activities across multiple Astrobotic departments. Applicants should have a background in propulsion and launch vehicle and/or spacecraft subsystems. This role will be responsible for safe operations of relevant test assets, timely delivery of key propulsion system components, communication of any risks to mission execution.

Job Responsibilities:

• Creating and coordinating technical schedules, project budgets and resource planning for concurrent projects with staggered deliverables and reporting cycles
• Development and management of work breakdown structures, project budgets, integrated master schedule, and project risk registers
• Monitoring schedule progress, including identifying critical activities and reviewing forecasts and progress achieved to date. Analyze critical path and constraints to determine effect of changes to schedule and recommend work-around.
• Collaborating with vendors, managers, leads and engineers to ensure schedule, cost, and technical deliverables are completed on schedule with expected quality and that all stakeholders are kept informed
• Creating technical statements of work and contracts for vendors, manufacturers, and subcontractors, and evaluating the performance of those contracts
• Creating appropriate reports and records to ensure compliance with company and customer requirements
• Leading vendor management for critical propulsion suppliers across Astrobotic departments
• Assisting in the development and delivery of technical progress reports, documentation, and presentations
• Maintaining the strict confidentiality of sensitive information

Required Skills & Qualifications:

• B.S. in Engineering or related technical field plus 3+ years in a project management role leading technical projects and coordinating with vendors
• Demonstrated experience coordinating with propulsion vendors and communicating risk to key development components or assemblies, including conducting site visits
• Demonstrated experience developing project budgets, schedules, and risks with multiple scheduling tools
• Demonstrated experience developing presentations and project reports for stakeholder review
• Demonstrated experience working with engineering teams and ability to quickly establish close working relationships across teams
• Comfort with ambiguity and motivated to help solve complex problems
• Ability to work without supervision to lead the development of project plans and schedules for multiple projects concurrently
• Strong organizational, multi-tasking, and problem-solving skills
• Ability to motivate and influence others, build effective interpersonal relationships, and be able to foster and contribute to a positive and productive team environment

Desired Skills & Qualifications:

• Demonstrated experience leading technical development of first-of-a-kind products or services
• Demonstrated experience with propulsion development activities, including development of test articles, management of test campaigns, and integrated system testing
• Project management experience in support of government customers
• Working within an agile development framework
• Working experience using Smartsheets or other scheduling tools (Resource loading/tracking, progress tracking, variance analysis, critical path review and analysis)

Salary Range: $110,000 - $150,000

The base salary range represents the low and high end of the anticipated salary range for this position. The actual base salary offered for this position will depend on numerous factors including individual performance, business objectives, and the candidates professional experience.  Base salary is just one component of Astrobotic’s competitive total rewards strategy.

To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) you must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the U.S., protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.

Astrobotic Technology, Inc. does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy and gender identity), national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, retaliation, parental status, military service, or other non-merit factor.

If you need assistance and/or a reasonable accommodation due to a disability during the application or the recruiting process, please send a request to contact@astrobotic.com.