Defense Contractor Physics Jobs in Renton, WA (NOW HIRING)

Company Overview:
Starcloud is building a network of data centers in space, starting at kilowatts and scaling to gigawatt capacity. Falling launch costs allow us to take advantage of the abundant energy, radiative cooling techniques, and ability to rapidly scale in space. Join our team, push the boundaries of the space economy, and be part of this pioneering effort to redefine the future of energy.
Senior Technical Program Manager (Active TS/SCI)
Starcloud | Redmond, WA
Company Overview:
Starcloud is building a network of data centers in space, starting at kilowatts and scaling to gigawatt capacity. Falling launch costs allow us to take advantage of the abundant energy, radiative cooling techniques, and ability to rapidly scale in space. Join our team, push the boundaries of the space economy, and be part of this pioneering effort to redefine the future of energy.
About the Role
Starcloud is seeking a Senior Technical Program Manager to own the execution of our most important programs end to end. As we scale, this person will run multiple programs at once, across both government and commercial customers, and keep each one on schedule and on budget from award through delivery.
You will be the single point of ownership for the programs you run. That means owning the cost and schedule, managing the customer relationship, driving deliverables to acceptance, and pulling in engineering, manufacturing, supply chain, finance, and other teams to clear blockers and keep work moving.
This is a hands-on role in a fast-moving environment. You should be comfortable switching between long-range planning, customer engagement, and the day-to-day work of keeping a program on track.
Responsibilities

• Own cost, schedule, and technical execution across multiple concurrent programs, from award through delivery.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for government and commercial customers, and manage the relationship, expectations, and communication.
• Manage program financials, including budgets, earned value, and invoicing through PIEE/WAWF.
• Structure and track milestone-based deliverables, drive customer acceptance, and keep programs on schedule.
• Lead proposal, contract, and modification efforts, and negotiate changes as programs evolve.
• Work across engineering, manufacturing, supply chain, finance, security, and legal to keep programs moving and remove blockers.
• Manage prime contractors, subcontractors, and teaming partners against integrated schedules.
• Oversee data rights, deliverable markings, and program documentation.
• Manage programs and data spanning unclassified through classified environments.
• Build and improve the program management tools, processes, and review cadences that allow the team to scale as the portfolio grows.

Basic Qualifications

• Active TS/SCI security clearance.
• 8+ years of program management or technical program management experience, including government programs.
• Experience managing program cost and schedule, including earned value management (EVM).
• Experience invoicing and managing programs through PIEE/WAWF.
• Working knowledge of FAR/DFARS and milestone-based contracting.
• Experience working directly with government Contracting or Agreements Officers and program offices.
• Experience working with government customers across organizations such as the Department of War, the Intelligence Community, and NASA (experience with some, not all, is expected).
• Experience managing programs and data across multiple classification levels.
• Bachelor's degree in engineering, physics, or a related technical field, or equivalent experience.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with Other Transaction agreements, SBIR/STTR, and FAR-based contracts.
• Experience with space, satellite, or other flight hardware programs.
• Experience managing programs with major defense primes, as a prime or a subcontractor.
• Familiarity with data rights, organizational conflict of interest management, and cybersecurity compliance requirements.
• Formal EVMS experience.
• PMP or equivalent certification.
• Prior military, civil service, or defense contractor experience.

Additional Requirements

• Must be able to work onsite in Woodinville, WA.
• Willingness to work extended hours and weekends as necessary to support critical program milestones.
• Ability to travel as needed (up to 25%).

Compensation and Benefits
Annual salary: $140,000 to $240,000
Actual compensation will depend on job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. Starcloud offers a competitive total rewards package, including stock options, discretionary bonuses, medical, vision, and dental coverage, 401(k) with company match, short and long-term disability insurance, life insurance, paid parental leave, and generous paid vacation, holidays, and sick leave.
Equal Opportunity Employer:
Starcloud is committed to fostering an inclusive and meritocratic workplace. We provide equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other legally protected status. Applicants requiring reasonable accommodation to the application/interview process should notify our Human Resources Department.
We receive many applications, and so we apologize that we may not be able to respond to every applicant.
To conform to U.S. Government export regulations, applicant must be a (i) U.S. citizen or national, (ii) U.S. lawful, permanent resident (aka green card holder), (iii) Refugee under 8 U.S.C. § 1157, or (iv) Asylee under 8 U.S.C. § 1158, or be eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.
Additional Requirements:

• Willingness to work extended hours and weekends as necessary to support critical project milestones.
• Must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident, or eligible for authorization under U.S. export regulations.

Equal Opportunity Employer:
Starcloud is committed to fostering an inclusive and meritocratic workplace. We provide equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other legally protected status. Applicants requiring reasonable accommodation to the application/interview process should notify our Human Resources Department.
Join Starcloud and shape the future!
Embrace the challenge, push technological boundaries, and contribute to solving the global energy challenge. Apply today to join our visionary team dedicated to innovation and advancing humanity.
We receive many applications, and so we apologize that we may not be able to respond to every applicant.