Technical Program Director Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

A New Paradigm For Space Operations.

Who We Are:

Space Kinetic is a dual use space technology startup building a completely new architecture for space operations – one that brings the advantages of proliferated drone technology (low-cost, operationally flexible, attainable, distributed) to space missions while reducing the ecosystem's reliance on consumable fuel. In a world where many companies are focused on incrementally improving the status quo, we are focused on creating something entirely different – an architecture underpinned by new first principles to meet the opportunities and challenges of the third space age head-on. Our goal is to move away from one-to-one space architectures – where each satellite in a constellation has one (or a small # of) primary payloads attached to the bus -- and unlock a 'one-to-many' system, where each satellite has a large number of payloads which can be deployed from their host spacecraft at high velocities without firing a thruster.

This is not a role for someone looking for a traditional 40-hour work week. Space Kinetic is building ambitious, first-of-its-kind technology, and that requires urgency, ownership, and a high level of commitment to changing the foundational assumptions for everything we do in space.

What You'll Do:

We are seeking a Technical Program Director to support technical program execution, coordinate cross-functional engineering activities, and help drive aerospace development programs from planning through execution.

The Technical Program Director is responsible for leading and coordinating technical projects involving aerospace hardware development, engineering execution, manufacturing readiness, and program deliverables. This role combines technical coordination, project execution discipline, and aerospace program support to help ensure engineering development efforts move efficiently from concept through production readiness. This position requires engineering understanding sufficient to communicate effectively with technical teams, manage schedules, identify risks, and ensure projects remain aligned with customer requirements, internal milestones, and business objectives. The Project Director serves as a central point of coordination between engineering, manufacturing, supply chain, leadership, and external stakeholders.

• Lead planning, coordination, and execution of aerospace engineering and hardware development projects
• Develop and maintain project schedules, milestones, action trackers, and program status reporting
• Coordinate closely with engineering, manufacturing, supply chain, and leadership teams to ensure execution against program goals
• Support technical reviews, design reviews, production readiness discussions, and milestone planning
• Monitor project scope, schedule, cost drivers, and execution risks
• Identify schedule impacts, technical dependencies, and program constraints early and escalate when needed
• Track deliverables, action items, procurement dependencies, and critical path activities
• Facilitate internal meetings and ensure follow-up actions are completed across teams
• Support customer-facing updates, program documentation, and status communications as needed
• Help manage contract deliverables and internal execution against awarded program requirements
• Work closely with engineering teams to understand technical priorities and execution challenges
• Assist leadership in translating technical development priorities into executable project plans
• Support disciplined configuration management processes for hardware and software to maintain revision control, traceability, and alignment across program activities
• Coordinate and monitor test-readiness activities, including technical preparation, documentation status, material readiness, and integration planning prior to test execution
• Support integration activities across hardware and software elements, maintaining visibility into dependencies that affect system performance and program milestones
• Demonstrate understanding of how software integrates within broader system architecture and support coordination between software and hardware development efforts
• Support continuous improvement in program controls, reporting structure, and execution discipline

What It Takes:

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Systems Engineering, or related technical field preferred
• 5+ years of project management experience supporting engineering, aerospace, manufacturing, or hardware development programs
• Aerospace industry experience required
• Strong understanding of engineering development processes, technical schedules, and hardware program execution
• Ability to work effectively with multidisciplinary engineering teams, including mechanical, electrical, manufacturing, and software functions
• Experience managing schedules, technical action tracking, and cross-functional program execution
• Familiarity with hardware development lifecycle, integration activities, and test planning
• Understanding of disciplined configuration management principles for hardware and software environments
• Ability to identify technical dependencies, schedule risks, and execution constraints early
• Strong communication skills with ability to interface across technical teams and leadership
• Experience supporting technical reviews, program reporting, and milestone-driven execution

What we'd love:

• Experience supporting prototype, flight hardware, or aerospace product development programs
• Familiarity with test readiness reviews, integration planning, and engineering release processes
• Understanding of software integration within broader system architecture
• Experience supporting customer-funded programs, contract deliverables, or defense-related development efforts
• PMP certification or equivalent project/program management training is a plus

Where You'll Be:

• The position is onsite at our headquarters in El Segundo, CA. Domestic travel may be required (up to ~20% of the year).

What We Offer:

• Equity-Based Compensation
• Highly Competitive PTO and Holiday Calendar
• Comprehensive Medical, Dental, and Vision Coverage
• Unique Performance-Based Bonus Structure

ITAR Requirements: 
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. Learn more about ITAR here

Equal Employment Opportunity:
Space Kinetic provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, veteran status, disability or any other legally protected status.