Program Operations & Integration Team Lead

Team Lead of Program Integration & Operations

As the Team Lead of Program Integration & Operations, you will help build and run the execution backbone of our program management organization. You will lead a small, high-impact team responsible for program integration, configuration discipline, and planning clarity as we scale spacecraft design, manufacturing and ground operations. This role combines direct execution with team leadership. You will personally lead high-impact initiatives while building the capabilities and standards of the team.We operate in a hybrid environment: commercial spacecraft development that demands speed and iteration, alongside US Government programs that require higher levels of rigor, traceability, and commitment discipline. This role ensures we apply the appropriate level of structure to each — maintaining agility where possible and enforcing rigor where necessary. As we scale spacecraft production and operations, execution precision and speed become a competitive advantage. This role will shape how we translate engineering designs into reliable delivery — ensuring our roadmap, resources, and commitments remain aligned as complexity grows, across both commercial and US Government programs.You will have meaningful ownership within Engineering and the opportunity to build durable, high-leverage operating mechanisms that directly improve delivery outcomes.

Role 

Program Planning

• Define and implement low-, medium-, and high-confidence scheduling frameworks and clearly establish when each is appropriate
• Improve schedule reliability without increasing unnecessary overhead
• Ensure commitments reflect technical, supply chain, and production realities
• Drive integrated master schedule maturity across all spacecraft and ground programs
• Establish simple, high-signal metrics that improve predictability and risk visibility

Commercial Speed & USG Rigor Balance

• Right-size planning and baseline standards across commercial and US Government programs
• Ensure auditability and traceability where contractually required
• Maintain agility in fast-moving development efforts while strengthening discipline for externally committed programs
• Partner with Finance and Sales to align schedule realism with cost and contractual obligations

Roadmap & Portfolio Integration

• Integrate technology roadmap, production ramp plans, and mission timelines into executable schedules
• Ensure roadmap shifts are systematically reflected in program baselines
• Enable scenario planning and cross-program trade studies
• Translate long-term strategy into clear near-term execution plans

Team Leadership & Capability Building

• Lead and develop a small team across configuration management and program operations
• Personally drive critical cross-functional initiatives alongside the team
• Establish clear execution standards and accountability
• Serve as an integration point across Engineering, Production, Supply Chain, and Finance

Operational Scaling

• Identify bottlenecks and sources of rework across programs and implement targeted, practical solutions
• Strengthen integration between configuration, cost, and schedule systems
• Introduce structure only where it reduces execution risk or improves delivery speed
• Support the transition from development-focused programs to higher-rate production

Requirements

• 8–12+ years of experience in aerospace, defense, space, automotive, or other complex hardware environments
• Engineering background (systems, mechanical, electrical, aerospace, or similar)
• Deep experience building and managing integrated master schedules in technically complex programs
• Demonstrated ability to introduce structure in fast-paced, high-performance environments without creating unnecessary overhead
• Experience supporting commercial and/or US Government programs
• Strong understanding of configuration management and lifecycle integration
• Experience leading small, high-performing teams
• Proven ability to influence cross-functional stakeholders without direct authority
• Comfortable operating in ambiguity and bringing clarity to complex, cross-functional challenges
• Strong communication skills, with the ability to articulate tradeoffs, risk, and execution strategy clearly

Bonus

• Experience scaling hardware production organizations
• Experience working closely with senior leadership in execution-heavy environments
• Familiarity with Smartsheet, Jira, Confluence, ERP, MES, or PLM systems
• Experience integrating cost account management with program schedules
• Data analytics or Python experience