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Technical Program Manager

El Segundo, CA

ABOUT SPHINX

Sphinx builds software to solve complex national security problems in Space. Founded by engineers and technologists with deep experience across commercial and defense technology, we were frustrated by the outdated and insecure technology America's service members are forced to rely on. We're here to do better. 

We’re focused on building modern, scalable products with an emphasis on using open source technologies. Expect talented, motivated, and interesting colleagues who emphasize collaboration, transparency, and individual responsibility.

ABOUT SPHINX

Sphinx builds software to solve complex national security problems in Space. Founded by engineers and technologists with deep experience across commercial and defense technology, we were frustrated by the outdated and insecure technology America's service members are forced to rely on. We're here to do better. 

We’re focused on building modern, scalable products with an emphasis on using open source technologies. Expect talented, motivated, and interesting colleagues who emphasize collaboration, transparency, and individual responsibility.

ABOUT THE ROLE

Sphinx is hiring a Technical Program Manager to join our team and support our growth in delivering next-generation software solutions and mission systems for national security and space programs. Our company is committed to building secure, scalable, and operationally relevant software that enables critical missions for the U.S. Government.

This Technical Program Manager role is designed for someone who thrives at the intersection of technology, execution, and customer engagement. You’ll translate mission needs and customer requirements into actionable engineering priorities, drive alignment across technical teams, and help ensure programs are delivered successfully from concept through deployment.

In this role, you’ll work closely with engineering, product, cybersecurity, and customer stakeholders to coordinate execution, manage technical risks, and ensure mission capabilities are delivered on schedule and aligned with customer objectives.

What you will be focusing on:

  • Translating customer requirements, mission needs, and program objectives into actionable technical priorities and engineering deliverables across multiple security classification levels, network environments, and mission stakeholders.
  • Coordinating execution across multiple software engineering, cybersecurity, product, QA, and other multidisciplinary teams to ensure successful delivery of mission capabilities.
  • Driving program planning, milestone tracking, and execution coordination while balancing technical priorities, dependencies, and delivery commitments.
  • Managing technical risks, dependencies, requirements, and constraints throughout the program lifecycle while partnering with Software Architects and Chief Engineers on program planning, technical execution, major milestone reviews (SRR, PDR, CDR), and across-functional readiness activities for Engineering Review Boards (ERBs) and Technical Review Boards (TRBs).
  • Supporting mission planning, system integration, testing, deployment, and operational readiness activities.
  • Facilitating seamless communication delivery coordination, and technical alignment across engineering teams, program leadership, customers, external platform providers, and embedded subcontractor partners.
  • Supporting cloud-based, software-centric mission solutions and helping coordinate implementation efforts across teams.
  • Working closely with customers to understand evolving mission needs and ensure delivered capabilities meet operational requirements.
  • Supporting proposal efforts, technical growth initiatives, and customer engagements.
  • Driving continuous process improvement and helping teams execute efficiently in Agile development environments.
  • Providing leadership and mentorship while fostering collaboration across multidisciplinary teams.

You might be a good fit if you:

  • Have 7+ years of experience supporting space, satellite, ground, mission, or software-intensive systems.
  • Have 3+ years of experience managing technical programs, projects, or complex engineering efforts.
  • Have 3+ years of experience working directly with U.S. Government customers. Stakeholders, or mission partners.
  • Have 2+ years of experience leading technical teams, engineering efforts, or cross-functional initiatives.
  • Have 2+ years of experience mentoring, coaching, or developing engineers, technical professionals, or cross-functional team members.
  • Have experience translating customer requirements and mission objectives into executable technical roadmaps and deliverables.
  • Possess strong knowledge of software development lifecycles, systems engineering principles, and technical program execution.
  • Have experience managing technical schedules, dependencies, risks, and stakeholder expectations.
  • Are comfortable working across engineering, product, cybersecurity, program management organizations, including embedded subcontractor and white-badged team environments.
  • Have experience operating in Agile development environments and coordinating multiple concurrent priorities.
  • Possess strong written and verbal communication skills with the ability to engage both technical and non-technical stakeholders.
  • Have experience supporting mission-critical systems in secure or classified environments.
  • Have familiarity with Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) concepts and methodologies.
  • Hold an active Secret clearance and be eligible to obtain and maintain TS/SCI access.

Bonus points if you have:

  • Experience with satellite ground systems, command and control, mission planning, mission operations, or space-domain awareness platforms.
  • Experience working with software-intensive mission systems supporting defense, intelligence, or space programs.
  • Experience supporting cloud-based architectures, distributed systems, or modern software platforms.
  • Experience with Agile program execution, DevSecOps practices, or software delivery pipelines.
  • Experience applying MBSE tools and methodologies in operational programs.
  • Familiarity with interface management, requirements traceability, and systems integration activities.
  • Experience supporting Authority to Operate (ATO), RMF, cybersecurity accreditation, or compliance efforts.
  • Experience supporting proposal development, capture efforts, or customer technical engagements.
  • Experience coordinating execution across multiple engineering organizations and external partners.
  • Familiarity with open architecture standards such as OMS, UCI, or similar frameworks.

LOCATION

This role can be based out of Chantilly, VA, Colorado Springs, CO, El Segundo, CA or Seal Beach, CA. This position requires approximately 25% travel, depending on program needs and where the selected candidate resides. We welcome consideration of exceptional candidates regardless of location, provided travel requirements can be met.

COMPENSATION

This role is between $145,000 and $208,000 base salary.

BENEFITS

Compensation includes competitive salary, meaningful equity ownership, profit sharing, employer 401(k) contribution, and 100% employer covered medical, dental, and vision insurance for you and your dependents.

ELIGIBILITY

Must be a US Citizen.

Must be able to obtain and hold a U.S. TS/SCI security clearance.

At Sphinx Defense, we are devoted to building a team that represents a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills. Sphinx Defense is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, and gender identity.
 
CLEARANCE ELIGIBILITY - This position requires eligibility to obtain and maintain a U.S. security clearance. For more information about U.S. Security Clearances: click here. 
 
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. Learn more about the ITAR here.  

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