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Program Development Manager Jobs in Vienna, VA (NOW HIRING)

Sr. Program Development Manager

Washington, DC · On-site +1

$115K - $165K/yr

SR. GOVERNMENT PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT MANAGER Starshield leverages SpaceX's Starlink technology and launch capability to support national security efforts. SpaceX Government Sales is expanding the team ...

SpaceX is seeking a mission-oriented, results-driven Senior Manager to lead Government Program Development and business growth across the Department of War, focusing on government and classified ...

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Program Development Manager information

See Vienna, VA salary details

$32.1K

$120.5K

$200.7K

How much do program development manager jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 14, 2026, the average yearly pay for program development manager in Vienna, VA is $120,503.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $81,300.00 and $143,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a program development manager?

To thrive as a Program Development Manager, you need strong project management abilities, strategic planning skills, and a background in program design, often supported by a bachelor’s or master’s degree in business, nonprofit management, or a related field. Familiarity with project management software such as Asana or MS Project, and certifications like PMP, are commonly required for effective oversight. Excellent leadership, communication, and stakeholder engagement skills help drive collaboration and motivate teams. These competencies are crucial for delivering successful programs that meet organizational goals and stakeholder expectations.

What are some common challenges faced by program development managers, and how can they address them?

Program Development Managers often encounter challenges such as aligning cross-functional teams, managing competing priorities, and ensuring that program goals meet both organizational and stakeholder needs. To address these challenges, effective communication, strong project management skills, and adaptability are essential. Regular check-ins with team members and stakeholders, clear goal-setting, and the use of project management tools can help streamline processes and keep programs on track. Building strong relationships across departments also facilitates smoother collaboration and problem-solving.

What is the difference between Program Development Manager vs Project Manager?

AspectProgram Development ManagerProject Manager
Primary FocusOversees multiple related projects to achieve strategic goalsManages individual projects to meet specific objectives
ResponsibilitiesDevelops program strategies, coordinates projects, manages stakeholdersPlans, executes, and closes projects within scope, time, and budget
CredentialsOften requires a PMP or similar certification, relevant experienceTypically requires PMP or CAPM certification, project management experience
Work EnvironmentStrategic planning, cross-project coordination, stakeholder communicationProject planning, team management, task execution

The Program Development Manager focuses on overseeing multiple projects aligned with strategic goals, while the Project Manager manages individual projects. Both roles require project management certifications and involve coordinating teams, but the Program Development Manager has a broader, strategic scope.

What are popular job titles related to Program Development Manager jobs in Vienna, VA?

For Program Development Manager jobs in Vienna, VA, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Program Development Manager jobs in Vienna, VA look for?

The top searched job categories for Program Development Manager jobs in Vienna, VA are:

What cities near Vienna, VA are hiring for Program Development Manager jobs?

Cities near Vienna, VA with the most Program Development Manager job openings:

Sr. Program Development Manager

Washington, DC • On-site, Remote

SpaceX
Aerospace Product and Parts Manufacturing • 1 - 5K employees

$115K - $165K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 4 days ago


SpaceX rating

8.7

Company rating: 8.7 out of 10

Based on 152 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz


Job description

SR. GOVERNMENT PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT MANAGER

Starshield leverages SpaceX's Starlink technology and launch capability to support national security efforts. SpaceX Government Sales is expanding the team to support the deployment of StarshieldAI and Grok compute capabilities for the U.S. Government.

SpaceX is seeking a mission-oriented, results-driven Senior Manager to lead Government Program Development and business growth across the Department of War, focusing on government and classified supercomputing that make automated integration of global sensing a real-time decision advantage. The ideal candidate will have a deep understanding of mission-aligned agentic frontier models, the ability to communicate scaled-compute applications to technical and non-technical audiences, and the depth of experience to expand our DoW footprint by identifying and advancing AI opportunities aligned with national security priorities. This position demands knowledge of government procurement processes along with the energy, initiative, and dependability to own mission-critical outcomes with new government partners.

RESPONSIBILITIES

  • Develop and execute a strategy for government stakeholder engagement, drive capture efforts, and develop a pipeline for supercomputing solutions addressing complex intelligence and operational challenges
  • Identify, build, and maintain relationships with key DoW and Service level decision-makers, program managers, and technical evaluators across space and AI portfolios
  • Identify new business opportunities and grow existing programs, finding new ways to fuse space sensing and supercomputing into quantifiable new lines of effort and revenue sources
  • Shape and lead SpaceX responses to RFIs, RFPs, Sources Sought, and other government solicitations with technical content, compliance matrices, and differentiated value propositions
  • Conduct continuous competition analysis and market research to stay ahead of developments in the opportunity landscape
  • Lead internal and external coordination across multidisciplinary teams, ensuring close coordination with engineering, mission management, finance, and contracts in the program development phase, actively preventing silos
  • Continuously refine engagement roadmap based on internal strategies, mission needs, customer feedback, and competitive analysis

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS

  • Bachelor's degree
  • 3+ years of experience in business development or account management within the DoW, AI industry, or tech industrial base

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE

  • Advanced degree in science, policy, business, international affairs, or another relevant field
  • Direct experience supporting sales or program development within DoW
  • Experience leading capture for start-ups, government compute companies, or cloud compute business areas
  • 2+ years of technical project management, systems engineering, or Government space systems acquisition experience
  • Experience modernizing Government AI/ML capabilities, agent workflows, generative Artificial intelligence applications, and machine lifecycle management tailored to government while meeting stringent regulatory and security standards
  • Experience partnering with cloud hyperscalers or other business-related system integrators
  • Strong organizational skills and attention to detail in managing complex government sales cycles or program development, specifically in AI/ML, data analytics, and aerospace
  • Familiarity with federal procurement processes and contract vehicles commonly used in the DoW
  • Experience operating in or supporting classified environments
  • Excellent communication and relationship-building skills, with the ability to engage both technical and non-technical audiences
  • Ability to thrive in a dynamic, entrepreneurial environment; must exhibit high ownership, initiative, and accountability

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

  • This position is based in Washington DC and requires being onsite full-time - hybrid and remote work will not be considered
  • Must be willing to travel to other company sites, vendors, and customers as necessary, up to 50% travel
  • Must be able to work extended hours and weekends as needed
  • Must be able to hold a TS/SCI security clearance
COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS:
Pay Range:
Level 3: $115,000.00 - $165,000.00

Your actual level and base salary will be determined on a case-by-case basis and may vary based on the following considerations: job-related knowledge and skills, education, and experience.

Base salary is just one part of your total rewards package at SpaceX. You may also be eligible for long-term incentives, in the form of company stock or long-term cash awards, as well as potential discretionary bonuses and the ability to purchase additional stock at a discount through an Employee Stock Purchase Plan. You will also receive access to comprehensive medical, vision, and dental coverage, access to a 401(k) retirement plan, short and long-term disability insurance, life insurance, paid parental leave, and various other discounts and perks. You may also accrue 3 weeks of paid vacation and will be eligible for 10 or more paid holidays per year. Employees accrue paid sick leave pursuant to Company policy which satisfies or exceeds the accrual, carryover, and use requirements of the law.


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About SpaceX

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Industry

Aerospace product and parts manufacturing, data services, guided missile and space vehicle manufacturing and satellite telecommunications

Company size

1,001 - 5,000 Employees

Headquarters location

Hawthorne, CA, US