Remote Aviation Program Manager Jobs in Reston, VA

Iridium is an award-winning satellite communications company operating the world's only truly global voice and data network, delivering reliable connectivity anywhere on Earth. For more than 20 years, Iridium has powered mission-critical communications for governments, businesses, aviation, maritime, and the rapidly expanding Internet of Things.

Now part of Iridium, Aireon is the world's only space-based air traffic surveillance system, providing real-time visibility of aircraft over oceans, the poles, and remote regions. Together, Iridium and Aireon are helping build a safer, more connected, and more efficient future for global aviation.

Join our team and help shape how the world stays connected. We foster a collaborative, inclusive culture where employees are empowered to innovate, grow professionally, and make a meaningful impact.

If you are intrigued by space and satellites and love managing technical programs in a fast-paced and customer-focused environment, then you will be excited about the Senior Deputy Program Manager, Engineering opening with Iridium on a Space Development Agency (SDA) project. In this position, you'll be responsible for working with senior management to establish strategic plans and objectives as it relates to a high-impact program with a multi-million dollar impact to the company. In this role, you'll be responsible for managing multiple activities and projects, including those with cross-functional teams, on developing end-to-end system solutions, new product development, or network elements within the Iridium architecture. You will succeed in this role if you have exceptional interpersonal and communication skills to successfully work with customers, build relationships, and lead the technical team to deliver solutions that meet our customer's needs and expectations.

This position requires an active/current Top-Secret Security Clearance or the ability to obtain a Top-Secret Security Clearance (A U.S. Security Clearance that has been active in the past 24 months is considered active.)

• Work with senior management to develop strategic plans associated with the development and execution of the program's technical vision, including managing delivery of high-quality results and complex solutions and providing ideas and suggestions for continuous improvement cross-functionally
• Manage the coordination and delivery of multiple or complex assignments designed with end goals in mind, within identified timeline and budget
• Work independently to ensure that projects meet financial performance targets as established in project pipeline budgets and Estimates to Complete
• Collaborate with Program Managers to ensure projects deliver quality results, activities are well-designed, and funds are expended to meet overall project objectives, contract deliverables, and indicator targets
• Serve as a sounding board on strategic program decisions and provide thought leadership in program design and delivery
• Manage the requirements and planning basis in a methodical and organized manner, including use of configuration management practices (CM)
• Support proposal development and execution for future contracts and amendments
• Provide clear briefings to senior leadership, managing significant risks and issue resolution

• Bachelor's degree required, preferably in engineering, mathematics, or science
• 10+ years of relevant experience in U.S. Government (USG) development and/or operational program/project management experience, preferably in a large, global organization
• 5+ years' experience in management of complex technical projects, preferably on Department of Defense (DoD) and/or Intelligence Community (IC) satellite or satellite ground programs
• 5-7 years of classical engineering experience
• Experience leading Scaled Agile projects
• Experience managing cross-functional issues where analysis of situations or data requires an evaluation of intangibles
• The ability to foster cross-functional team building to deliver complex projects/individual goals
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to convey products, deliverables, analyses, and/or issues clearly and confidently, and recognize and adapt to different communication techniques
• Can easily build meaningful relationships with others, including senior leadership outside of your own department, and is comfortable providing constructive feedback to your team members and management
• Be able to analyze a situation or problem, generate effective solutions, and see those solutions through to completion
• Must possess the creativity and resourcefulness needed to make reliable decisions and determine methods on new assignments
• Can thrive in a dynamic environment by handling multiple tasks and managing shifting priorities
• Be proactive in sharing knowledge you've learned with others

• Project Management Accreditation (APMP, PMI or equivalent)

• Be able to travel up to 20%
• Be a U.S. citizen

This position primarily works in an office setting and is largely sedentary with the majority of the position working with a computer. The role typically requires the use of basic office equipment such as a phone, video, computer, keyboard, mouse, and printer. 

We believe in-person connection drives innovation, strengthens mentorship, and builds culture, while flexibility enables employees to do their best work. Under Iridium's Hybrid Work Policy, employees are expected to work at least four days per week (approximately 80%) in an Iridium office to support collaboration, relationship-building, and professional growth.

Additional Information

This job description outlines the general nature and level of work for this role and is not a comprehensive list of duties, responsibilities, or qualifications. Employees may be assigned additional responsibilities as needed.

Base Pay Range: $150,000 - $195,000 USD

Actual compensation will be determined based on a variety of factors and this range represents an estimate of compensation at the time of posting. Base salary is only one part of our compensation package for this role. You may also be eligible for company stock and annual bonus. Employee benefits also include medical, dental, and vision insurance coverage; 401(k) retirement plan options; paid time off and paid holidays; paid parental leave; and other discounts and perks.  

Iridium is an Equal Opportunity Employer, including individuals with disabilities and protected veterans.