Program Manager (Proposal Execution)
Terran Orbital Corporation
Join a team where your impact reaches beyond the stars! At Terran Orbital, you’re not just part of the system – you’re a vital force propelling our mission forward. As trailblazers in satellite manufacturing and aerospace innovation, we shatter boundaries daily to deliver groundbreaking solutions that power our nation’s defense and commercial missions. We are a unique, fast growing, and trusted team dedicated to swiftly and efficiently designing, building, launching, and operating state of the art satellites for advanced mission constellations. If you’re driven by purpose, inspired by challenges, and ready to leave your mark on the universe, you’ll find a home and endless opportunities for growth here. Together, let’s redefine what is possible in orbit and beyond!
Terran Orbital is seeking an experienced Program Manager with a specialization in Proposal Execution to join our dynamic Programs team. Reporting to the VP of Program Management the Program Manager will serve as the PMO authority ensuring all proposals mature into executable, realistic, and margin‑protected program baselines at contract award. Acting as the formal bridge between capture and program execution, this Program Manager drives cross‑functional alignment across Business Development, Engineering, Finance, Supply Chain, and Manufacturing to validate scope, cost, schedule, and risk prior to proposal submission. This role protects the enterprise from baseline erosion, unrealistic commitments, and early re‑planning.
Key Duties and Responsibilities
- Lead end‑to‑end proposal execution activities in alignment with PMO governance standards.
- Develop executable cost, schedule, scope, and risk baselines in partnership with Engineering, Finance, Supply Chain, and Manufacturing.
- Enforce standardized Basis of Estimate (BOE) methodologies, ensuring sound assumptions, resource validation, and appropriate risk adjustments.
- Conduct cross‑functional integration reviews to confirm alignment of technical solutions, schedule logic, staffing plans, supply chain strategies, and financial models.
- Prepare and support formal proposal gate reviews, including entry/exit criteria and executive‑ready decision materials.
- Deliver complete and accurate baseline handoff packages at contract award (IMS, cost model, risk register, SOW traceability, staffing profile, assumptions log).
- Identify and mitigate risks early to minimize post‑award EAC erosion and avoid re‑
- Ensure full compliance with internal governance, customer RFP requirements, and contractual terms.
- Collaborate closely with Business Development and Capture teams to balance competitiveness with execution realism.
- Track proposal‑to‑award performance metrics, including baseline variance and early cost/schedule deltas.
Required Qualifications and Skills
- Bachelor’s degree in Business, Engineering, or related field.
- 5+ years of experience in aerospace, defense, or other complex technical program environments.
- Demonstrated experience supporting proposals for fixed‑price or cost‑plus contracts over $100M.
- Proven capability in developing executable Integrated Master Schedules (IMS) and cost baselines with cross‑functional inputs.
- Working knowledge of DoD, SDA, or similar government contracting environments.
- Experience with post‑award program execution, including responsibility for cost, schedule, and margin performance.
- Strong cost–schedule integration skills, including resource‑loaded planning and BOE development.
- Ability to constructively challenge assumptions and enforce execution realism.
- Executive‑level communication skills and experience preparing gate review materials.
- Demonstrated cross‑functional leadership without direct authority.
- Strong analytical and risk management skills with attention to downstream execution impacts.
- High attention to detail and process discipline.
- U.S. Citizenship with ability to obtain and maintain DoD security clearance.
Preferred Qualifications and Skills
- Master’s degree in Business, Engineering, or related field.
- Experience working with government customers and understanding their PM practices.
- Concept‑to‑launch experience with satellite missions.
- Experience with cost‑constrained or budget‑sensitive programs.
- Familiarity with non‑traditional aerospace environments.
- Understanding of satellites, space sensors, and ground systems.
Your actual level and base salary will be determined case-by-case and may vary based on the job-related qualification, knowledge, skills, education, and experience. In addition to base salary, we offer 100% covered medical, dental, and vision coverage, a 401(k) match, Flexible Time Off (FTO), covered life insurance, maternity and paternity leave, tuition reimbursement, employee referrals, and lots of swag!
Full-time positions only:
Benefits
- 100% Company-paid comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage for you and your dependents
- 401(k) Match
- Flexible Time Off (FTO)
- Education Reimbursement
- Competitive Paid Parental Leave
About Terran Orbital
Terran Orbital is a leading manufacturer of satellite products primarily serving the aerospace and defense industries. Terran Orbital provides end-to-end satellite solutions by combining satellite design, production, launch planning, mission operations, and on-orbit support to meet the needs of the most demanding military, civil, and commercial customers. Learn more at www.terranorbital.com
Physical Demands
An employee must meet the physical demands described to perform the essential functions of this job successfully. In performing the duties of this job, the employee is routinely required to sit or stand for long durations of time, in addition to bending, reaching, and walking. This would require the ability to lift or move objects up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift or move objects up to 25 pounds. This position is generally sedentary, with substantial computer usage.
Work Environment
The job operates in a professional office environment but in a manufacturing company. This job routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, and scanners.
Disclaimers
To comply with U.S. Government space technology export regulations, the applicant must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the U.S., protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State. In addition, please note that this position may require a current United States National Security clearance or eligibility for such a clearance.
Terran Orbital is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. We consider applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, national origin, ancestry, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, marital status, veteran status, disability, genetic information, or membership in any other group protected by federal, state, or local law.
If you need assistance or accommodation due to a disability, you may contact us at hr@terranorbital.com.
Terran Orbital does not accept unsolicited resumes from recruiters, employment agencies, or staffing firms. To conduct business with Terran Orbital, a Master Services Agreement (MSA) must be executed and confirmed prior to submitting any information relating to a potential candidate. Without a signed MSA, Terran Orbital shall not be responsible to any individual or entity for any payment relating to any form of fee or compensation.
And, in the event that a resume or candidate is submitted by a recruiter, an employment agency, or a staffing firm without a fully executed MSA, Terran Orbital has the unrestricted right to pursue and hire any of those candidate(s) without any legal or financial responsibility to the recruiter, agency, and/or firm.