Program Director

At Turion Space, we’re on a mission to secure Earth and expand humanity’s reach beyond it. We’re developing spacecraft for national security, in-space servicing, and orbital debris removal. As we prepare for upcoming launches and expand our portfolio of government and commercial programs, we’re looking for a Program Director to drive execution across program portfolios and ensure successful deliveries from concept through launch.

This role is based at our Irvine, California headquarters.

As a Program Director at Turion, you’ll be responsible for leading a portfolio of programs across their entire lifecycle from proposal, contract negotiations, execution, delivery, and closeout. You’ll work cross-functionally with engineering, supply chain, assembly, integration, and test (AI&T), mission operations, and leadership to manage scope, schedule, budget, and customer communications. A successful candidate will bring experience working with U.S. Government agencies (e.g., DoW, Space Force, NASA) and leading integrated teams. Specifically, this role is targeted in candidates with experience leading complex space programs in the GEO Space Domain Awareness (SpDA) industry and conducting Rendezvous Proximity Operations (RPO).

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead planning, execution, and delivery for a portfolio of spacecraft missions operating in LEO, MEO, GEO, or other orbital regimes against the cost, schedule, and technical baselines

• Serve as the primary interface with government customers, cultivating relationships and representing Turion in all program-related matter

• Build and manage program teams and external supplier relationships to meet contractual and technical requirements

• Develop program execution strategies, master schedules, and detailed program plans, coordinating across all internal functions

• Monitor and report program performance metrics, financials, risks, and opportunities to internal and external stakeholders

• Support proposal development, business capture activities, and contract negotiations

• Drive continuous alignment between customer goals and internal team execution, proactively identifying issues and mitigating risks

• Delegate with programmatic authority while also being a doer who can produce on their own

• Accountable for the portfolio Estimate at Completion (EAC), including Earned Value Management System (EVMS) methodologies

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering

• 10+ years of experience in program management, mission management, or chief engineering, specifically in the SpDA industry or RPO missions

• Deep technical understanding of spacecraft design executing RPO and Non-Earth Imaging (NEI) of Resident Space Objects (RSOs)

• Proven success managing programs through all lifecycle phases: proposal, capture, planning, execution, delivery, and closeout

• Experience managing prime programs with budgets of $100M+ and teams of 40+ full-time equivalents

• Strong communication, leadership, mentorship, and stakeholder management skills

• Proficient in Microsoft Project or similar scheduling tools

• Ability to obtain and maintain a TS/SCI clearance

• Ability to travel up to 25%

• This role is expected to be on-site, hybrid work can be acceptable

Preferred Qualifications

• Previous experience working in a high paced startup environment

• Extensive experience in early mission concept definition, full design cycle, AI&T, launch integration, and mission operations

• Prior experience in a chief engineering role highly desired, with an emphasis in systems engineering, mission engineering, mission architect, or astrodynamics

• Experience working on LEO or GEO surveillance, reconnaissance, or NEI programs

• Experience in rapid prototyping and hardware fielding environments

• Active TS/SCI clearance

Program Director Salary Range: $225,000 - $250,000 USD

Employees may be asked to support alternate shifts, extended shifts, and/or travel during peak work periods.

ITAR Requirements:

This position may include access to technology and/or software source code that is subject to U.S. export controls. 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.

Benefits:

We offer a comprehensive compensation and benefits package designed to support the well-being and professional growth of our employees. In addition to a competitive base salary and company stock, determined by factors such as job-related knowledge, education, skills, experience, and market demand, full-time employees are eligible for:

• Equity: Receive equity in Turion Space, letting you benefit from the company's success

• Health Insurance: Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage for employees and their dependents.

• Retirement Plans: Access to a 401(k) plan with a 3% Employer Direct Contribution to help you plan for your future.

• Paid Time Off: Generous vacation days, personal days, sick days, and holidays to ensure you have time to recharge.

• Parental Leave: Paid parental leave following the birth of a newborn or adoption.

• Emotional Wellbeing: A no-cost Employee Assistance Program (EAP) to support you and your household’s emotional health and wellbeing.

• Professional Development: Opportunities for ongoing internal training, workshops, and courses to advance your skills and career growth.

• Team Building Activities: Regular social events, team outings, and company-sponsored activities to foster a positive work environment.

We are dedicated to providing a supportive and enriching environment for our team members, recognizing that our collective success is built upon the well-being and satisfaction of each individual.

Turion Space is an Equal Opportunity Employer; employment with Turion Space is governed on the basis of merit, competence and qualifications and will not be influenced in any manner by race, color, religion, gender, national origin/ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, mental or physical disability or any other legally protected status.