Staff Technical Program Manager, Operational Readiness

About the Team:

The Vehicle Engineering organization at Relativity Space encompasses vehicle design, dev, & build, as well as the analysis, software, CONOPs development, risk management, and customer and regulatory activities required for vehicle testing and launch operations.

We are seeking a Technical Program Manager to establish program management methodology for all workstreams outside of hardware delivery that are required for vehicle operations. This will include program management of CONOPs and procedure development, software and GNC readiness, and closure of systems engineering & certification activity. This role will be critical in driving operational excellence across all engineering disciplines, standardizing programmatic best practices, and acting as a senior interface to leadership across Relativity Space. Success in this role will mean making this critical work visible and building responsive and scalable processes to avoid critical path delays and enable an industry leading, rapid operational cadence.

About the Role:

• Execution Strategy & Risk Management

• Own schedule adherence, risk management, and reporting cadence for operational readiness across all engineering functions.

• Identify, assess, and mitigate risks associated with operational readiness, ensuring proactive problem resolution to identify risks coming down the pipeline

• Present program updates, risks, and strategic recommendations to the executive team

• Cross-Functional and Strategic Leadership

• Establish and maintain a culture of excellence in execution for engineering operational readiness

• Collaborate with PMOs and department leaders across the company to integrate non-hardware workstreams into a program level Integrated Master Schedule (IMS) and use the IMS to understand true program critical path, escalate issues and decision points, and make recommendations on the best solutions

• Goal Tracking & Reporting

• Establish goals and metrics to monitor operational performance and increase the predictability and efficiency of engineering work - building the scoreboard for accountability for the engineering team

• Facilitate strong communication within departments and across the program to ensure transparency in program status for all relevant stakeholders

• Team Growth & Development

• Establish, standardize, and continuously improve program management methodologies, tools, templates, and best practices across all engineering operational readiness efforts

About You:

• Bachelor's degree in engineering, science, mathematics, or related fields; aerospace, electrical, or mechanical engineering degree preferred
• 5+ years technical leadership experience, proven track record of success and strategic thinking while balancing conflicting priorities and goals
• 7+ years in a Program Management role leading a large cross-functional program, including hardware, software, and operations
• Demonstrated success leading large, cross-functional hardware teams from concept through delivery in fast-paced, high-ambiguity environments. Seamlessly able to switch between tactical execution and 30,000-ft perspective
• Proven ability to communicate with highly technical teams and to bridge communication between technical and non-technical teams
• A systems mindset: identifying program dependencies, interfaces, risks and the impact of key technical and program decisions on other teams and at company level on hardware product development

Nice to haves but not required:

• Experience with launch vehicles, propulsion systems, or aerospace hardware
• PMP, MBA, Master's in engineering, science, mathematics or related fields, or equivalent experience preferred
• Proven ability and high confidence in presenting effectively to C-level executives and board of directors with clarity and strategic insight