Space Program Manager

Job description

Team & Reporting Line: Program Management Team | Reports to Lead Project & Procurement Manager

Our Mission  

At constellr, we're harnessing the power of space to solve one of Earth’s greatest challenges: climate resilience & security in a changing world. Our thermal satellite constellation delivers the most accurate land surface temperature data on the market, equipping commercial players, governments, defence agencies, and global institutions with the thermal intelligence they need to make strategic decisions- from national security and infrastructure to agriculture and climate resilience. 

As a fast-scaling company with offices in Brussels, Freiburg, Munich, Washington and Toulouse, our multidisciplinary team of engineers, scientists, and strategists is building the future of space-based Earth observation

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. 

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?  

• Contribute to the launch of the world’s first commercial thermal infrared satellite constellation.  

• Play a key role in high-impact institutional programs shaping climate resilience and security.  

• Flexible hybrid working model.  

• Competitive compensation, including a Virtual Share Option Plan (VSOP) for permanent employees.  

• Join a mission-driven team committed to diversity, inclusion, and scientific excellence.