Space Program Manager

Job description

Job description Team & Reporting Line: Program Management Team | Reports to Lead Project & Procurement Manager Our Mission At constellr, we use thermal intelligence from space to understand what is happening on Earth – where, when and at scale. Our satellite constellation delivers high-resolution land surface temperature data, giving governments, defence organisations, commercial operators and global institutions the intelligence they need to monitor change, assess risk and make better-informed decisions. From national security and critical infrastructure to agriculture and climate resilience, constellr turns temperature into actionable intelligence for a changing world. Your Role We are looking for an experienced Space Program Manager to lead the execution of some of constellr’s most strategic government programmes . You will own complex national and European programmes from contract award through successful delivery. Acting as the primary interface between customers, consortium partners and internal engineering teams, you will ensure that contractual commitments, technical developments and commercial objectives remain fully aligned. This role requires someone who thrives in technically complex environments, understands how government customers operate , and can successfully balance schedule, budget, scope, risk and stakeholder expectations while enabling our engineering teams to succeed. Key responsibilities Programme Leadership Own the successful execution of one or more strategic government programmes throughout their complete lifecycle. Develop and maintain integrated programme plans covering scope, schedule, cost, resources and risk. Establish programme governance structures, decision gates and reporting mechanisms. Ensure contractual commitments are translated into executable delivery plans. Customer & Stakeholder Management Serve as the primary programme interface towards government customers, funding agencies and institutional partners. Build trusted relationships with senior customer representatives. Coordinate international industrial consortia and subcontractors. Manage customer expectations while protecting constellr’s commercial and technical interests. Delivery Management Coordinate cross-functional teams including satellite engineering, product, operations and business development . Monitor programme performance against cost, schedule, technical milestones and contractual deliverables. Drive issue resolution and proactively remove delivery obstacles. Ensure programme risks and opportunities are continuously identified, assessed and mitigated. Governance & Reporting Lead programme reviews, steering committees and milestone reviews. Prepare executive dashboards, decision papers and customer briefings. Maintain accurate programme documentation and reporting. Support internal portfolio management and strategic planning. Commercial & Strategic Support Support proposal preparation, customer negotiations and transition from bid to execution. Contribute to programme strategy and long-term customer development. Identify opportunities for programme growth and follow-on business. Support continuous improvement of programme management processes and governance. Job description About you 8+ years of programme or project management experience within the space, aerospace, defence or high-technology sector. Proven experience delivering complex government-funded or institutional programmes. Strong understanding of ESA, DLR, EU, defence or other public procurement environments. Experience managing multidisciplinary engineering developments involving hardware and software. Demonstrated ability to manage budgets, schedules, risks and contractual obligations. Excellent stakeholder management skills with experience engaging senior government customers. Strong leadership and communication skills. Excellent organisational and decision-making capabilities. Strong negotiation skills in structured, high-stakes environments. Confidence engaging with senior institutional and governmental stakeholders. Fluent German (mandatory) and excellent English communication skills. Spacecraft industry experience required; aerospace or automotive backgrounds may be considered. German nationality or strong professional integration within the German market is preferred. Why join constellr? High-Impact National Security Mission: Be part of an ambitious mission to launch the world’s first commercial thermal infrared constellation, delivering sovereign-grade "behavioural" intelligence from space to close critical blind spots for defence, intelligence, and maritime surveillance agencies. Fast-Paced "New Space" Innovation: Work at the leading edge of a rapidly evolving defence sector. By leveraging modern, agile New Space methodologies, you will help design, build, and deploy dual-use thermal payloads into operational orbit at a speed and scale that traditional aerospace models simply cannot match. Broad Interdisciplinary Exposure: Accelerate your professional growth by collaborating daily with a diverse, international cohort of astrophysicists, software developers, and defence-system engineers. Inclusive & Scientific Culture: Join a high-trust team deeply committed to diversity, inclusion, and scientific excellence, where academic curiosity is paired with high autonomy and a flat hierarchy. Financial Upside & Well-being: Benefit from a Virtual Share Option Plan (VSOP) for permanent employees, giving you a true stake in the company's growth, alongside highly flexible hybrid working models.