Satellite Project Manager Jobs in Virginia (NOW HIRING)

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.

Iridium is seeking an experienced Project Portfolio Lead to shape and deliver complex, cross-functional initiatives that translate program strategy into measurable business outcomes. In this role, you will lead the planning, prioritization, governance, and performance management of the organization's project portfolio, ensuring the right work is selected, sequenced, and executed to maximize business value. You will partner closely with leaders across the organization to align initiatives with strategic objectives, optimize resource allocation, and provide clear visibility into portfolio performance. By enabling strong decision-making and maintaining disciplined oversight, the Project Portfolio Lead ensures the portfolio delivers consistent, high-impact results that support organizational goals.

• Translate organizational strategy into a balanced, actionable portfolio of projects and programs
• Ensure initiatives are aligned to strategic goals, business priorities, and value drivers
• Support leadership in defining portfolio roadmaps and investment priorities
• Lead portfolio intake, evaluation, and prioritization processes
• Facilitate trade-off decisions based on value, cost, risk, and resource capacity
• Drive annual and quarterly portfolio planning cycles
• Establish and enforce portfolio governance frameworks, standards, and stage-gate processes
• Lead portfolio review meetings and decision forums
• Ensure transparency, accountability, and consistency across all initiatives
• Define and track portfolio-level KPIs, including project execution status and benefits realization
• Develop executive dashboards and reporting to support decision-making
• Identify risks, dependencies, and systemic issues, and drive mitigation strategies
• Partner with executives, business leaders, and project/program managers across functions
• Act as a trusted advisor on portfolio health, risks, and opportunities
• Facilitate alignment and resolve conflicts across competing priorities
• Collaborate with the resource management lead and functional leaders to ensure effective allocation of resources
• Monitor capacity constraints and recommend adjustments to optimize delivery
• Support workforce planning aligned with portfolio demand
• Drive maturity of portfolio management practices, tools, and methodologies
• Identify and implement process improvements to enhance efficiency and effectiveness
• Champion a culture of data-driven decision-making and continuous improvement

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Project Management, Finance, or related field
• 10+ years of professional experience, preferably with 5+ years' progressive experience in the Project Management field (i.e., project scheduling, project controls, enterprise project planning, etc.)
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to clearly convey products, deliverables, analyses, and/or issues to stakeholders and leadership teams
• Ability to easily build relationships with leadership and colleagues
• Possess an analytical mindset, with the ability to understand a situation or problem and think critically to make decisions and come up with out-of-the-box solutions
• Be proactive in providing feedback and be enthusiastic in sharing your knowledge with others
• Capable of prioritizing your own tasks and potentially the tasks of others while making sure deadlines are met

• Project Management Professional (PMP) certification
• Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM)
• Planning & Scheduling Professional (PSP) certification
• Experience with enterprise PMO / EPMO portfolio management tools such as Planview, Clarity, Planisware, ServiceNow SPM, or comparable platforms strongly preferred
• Experience in enterprise PMO environments or large-scale program management
• Familiarity with Earned Value Management (EVM) and performance tracking methodologies
• Experience building portfolio dashboards and reporting frameworks

• This position directly performs under, supports, or is exposed to a U.S. government contract. To comply with the requirements of that U.S. government contract, applicants for this position must be U.S. citizens
• Be able to travel up to 10%

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: $130,000 - $175,000 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.