Mission Manager

Mission Manager 

Location: Playa Vista, California (in-person, five days per week) 

Launch has changed the economics of space. Now it is time to return. 

Outpost is building the missing infrastructure between orbit and Earth: reusable vehicles that can bring payloads back from space and deliver them to a precise location within hours. We call it exologistics, space-to-Earth logistics at planetary scale. This is not a paper concept or a distant roadmap. Our system is in active development, with core technologies advancing toward flight readiness. 

The need is already here and the market has responded. We have validated demand through multiple defense and civil agreements, and a growing pipeline across government and commercial customers.  

Outpost is building the logistics layer that makes space economically useful in a new way: the ability to move material from orbit to Earth quickly, reliably, and affordably. Over time, that supports point-to-point logistics, 10 tons of cargo, anywhere on Earth in an hour. It also creates the foundation for a reusable reentry network and enables new categories of space activity, including in-space manufacturing, supporting AI data centers, advanced manufacturing and novel materials. 

We have a strong foundation, clear demand, and a technical path in front of us. Now the company is scaling rapidly. We are expanding the team, growing our operational footprint, and building the systems needed to execute at the next level. This is a chance to join a company with real traction, working on a problem that matters, at the point where execution and scale begin to define the outcome.

The Role 

The Mission Manager supports day-to-day execution of customer missions and contracts. This role serves as the primary point of contact for customers, ensuring requirements are clearly defined, schedules are tracked, and deliverables are met. You will work closely with engineering, operations, and partner with Director of Mission Engineering to manage subcontractors and external contributors. This is a hands-on role for someone who is detail-oriented, technically fluent, and comfortable driving clarity in a fast-moving, hardware-heavy environment. 

Responsibilities 

• Serve as the primary point of contact (POC) for assigned customer contracts, in close coordination with the Director of Mission Engineering.
• Own customer communications, including status updates, schedule reviews, and deliverable reporting.
• Define, document, and manage customer requirements; ensure alignment with internal technical and program plans.
• Track contractual deliverables, milestones, and acceptance criteria across missions.
• Maintain and report on integrated schedules, identifying risks, dependencies, and mitigation plans.
• Interface directly with vehicle engineering teams to translate mission requirements into executable technical plans.
• Support in managing subcontractors, including coordination, tracking of deliverables, and schedule alignment.
• Identify execution risks early and drive resolution across internal teams and external partners.
• Ensure customer commitments are met while protecting program scope, schedule, and technical integrity.
• Support regulatory and licensing activities (FAA, FCC, NOAA, Range, etc.) related to mission execution, including coordination with internal engineering teams, external partners, and applicable regulatory bodies. 

Qualifications 

• Bachelor’s degree or higher in engineering or science discipline.
• 5+ years of experience in mission management, program management, systems engineering, or a related technical role in spacecraft, launch vehicle, reentry vehicle, or aerospace programs.
• Proven ability to serve as the primary point of contact for customers on complex aerospace programs, including presenting technical deliverables, coordinating feedback, and managing external communications.
• Strong understanding of engineering development lifecycles, especially for space or flight hardware.
• Proven ability to track schedules, deliverables, and contractual commitments with high attention to detail.
• Comfortable interfacing with engineering teams and translating technical discussions into clear action items.
• Experience supporting or managing subcontractors or external vendors.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to travel as needed to support customer meetings, mission activities, and partner coordination. 

Preferred Experience 

• Familiarity with regulatory and licensing processes for aerospace or flight operations for commercial and defense. 
• Experience working with DoD, NASA, or other government contracts.
• Experience working in fast-paced startup or small-team environments.

Compensation & Benefits

• Competitive compensation: $140,000 – $180,000; (commensurate with experience).
• Additional Compensation:  Annual performance-based bonuses that reward your impact.
• Shared upside: Meaningful equity in Outpost so you share directly in the value you help create.
• Comprehensive healthcare: Medical, dental, and vision coverage to keep you and your loved ones covered. We cover the base tier of medical insurance and all premiums of vision and dental. 
  
• Protection when it matters: Company-provided short- and long-term disability coverage for peace of mind, plus life insurance for even more security.
• PTO: Recharge on your own terms with paid time off, plus 9 days of paid holidays.
• Invest in your future: 401(k) with company match to help you build long-term wealth.
• Fueled for the mission: Daily DoorDash lunch stipend, plus unlimited snacks, coffee, and tea to keep you energized.
• Mission that matters: Work shoulder-to-shoulder with leaders from aerospace, new space, and deep-tech industries building the future of orbital infrastructure.
• Pet Friendly Office: Bring your furry friend into the office so that they can be a part of our mission too.
• Monthly Company Happy Hours and Events: Drinks at the local bar, hibachi nights, mini golfing and more!