---
title: 'Technical Program Manager, USG Space Relays at Astranis'
canonical: 'https://feeny.ai/job/technical-program-manager-usg-space-relays-astranis-san-francisco-74asqbdmdzdv'
type: 'job'
last_seen: '2026-09-05'
---

# Technical Program Manager, USG Space Relays at Astranis

- **Company:** Astranis
- **Location:** San Francisco, CA
- **Compensation:** $145k–$185k
- **Posted:** 2026-09-02
- **Last confirmed live:** 2026-09-05
- **Apply:** https://job-boards.greenhouse.io/astranis/jobs/4710627006

## Job description

Astranis builds advanced satellites for high orbits, expanding humanity’s reach into the solar system. Today, Astranis satellites provide dedicated, secure networks to highly-sophisticated customers across the globe— large enterprises, sovereign governments, and the US military. With five satellites on orbit and many more set to launch soon, the company is servicing a backlog of more than $1 billion of commercial contracts.

Astranis is the preferred satellite communications partner for buyers with stringent requirements for uptime, data security, network visibility, and customization. Astranis has raised over $750 million from some of the world’s best investors, from Andreessen Horowitz to Blackrock and Fidelity, and employs a team of 450 engineers and entrepreneurs. Astranis designs, builds, and operates its satellites out of its 153,000 sq. ft. headquarters in Northern California, USA.

Technical Program Manager, USG Space Relays

Astranis is developing the next generation relay capability for the USG Government delivering Ka-band space-to-space relay services for Government users. As the Technical Program Manager for this Mission, you will work directly for the Astranis Director of USG Program Management and help lead the end-to-end technical execution of multi-spacecraft flight programs from concept maturation through spacecraft production, ground network deployment, launch, and on-orbit demonstration. This is a dynamic role that will require someone that will be both customer facing as well as engaged with the Astranis engineering teams to assure program excellence.

## Role

- Drive technical baseline execution across all program phases
- Develop, baseline, and maintain the Integrated Master Schedule and track critical Technical Performance Metrics (TPMs) including RF link margins, spacecraft mass/power margins, latency, and pointing accuracy.
- Lead technical preparation, delivery, and closure for major customer milestone gates (System Design Reviews, Demonstration Readiness Review, and Demonstration Performance Validation Review) and manage formal Data Requirements Descriptions (DRDs).
- Own overarching systems engineering and technical baseline management for the mission. Decompose and flow down Government Service Requirements Document (SRD) specifications, mission CONOPS, and Ground Service Interface (GSI) boundaries into actionable segment- and unit-level requirements
- Lead the program-level verification and validation (V&V) strategy across space, ground, and operations segments. Manage compliance tracking against tailored Government environmental standards, coordinate pre-launch RF compatibility testing between flight-equivalent Astranis and Government systems, and drive the verification evidence required to achieve Authority to Connect (ATC)
- Partner with the Program Manager, Technical Director, and segment leads across Systems Engineering & Integration (SEIT), Space Segment, Ground Segment, and Mission Operations.
- Support Mission Operations through launch, direct GEO injection, on-orbit commissioning, live customer vehicle service scheduling , and execution of concurrent forward/return links during the 30-day measurement period.
- Drive continuous improvement across Astranis’s USG program management processes, toolsets, and digital collaboration environments, supporting team growth as the USG mission portfolio expands.

## Requirements

- Bachelor of Science in Aerospace Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Systems Engineering, Computer Science, Physics, or a related technical discipline.
- 7+ years of technical program management, project management, or systems engineering leadership within aerospace, defense, or commercial space systems.
- Demonstrated track record leading requirements flow-down, ICD development, technical budget tracking, trade studies, and end-to-end V&V campaigns for complex spaceflight systems.
- Proven experience managing U.S. Government (NASA, DoW, or IC) spaceflight programs through formal review gates (SRR, PDR, CDR, DRR, ORR) and formal deliverable lifecycles (DRDs/CDRLs).
- Proven ability to drive cross-functional engineering teams in a rapid, agile, vertically integrated hardware development and manufacturing environment.
- Exceptional written and verbal presentation skills, with demonstrated experience presenting complex technical baseline trades, risk mitigations, and schedule critical paths to Government stakeholders.
- U.S. Citizenship is required (ITAR/EAR compliance). Active Secret/TS clearance and eligibility to obtain a TS/SCI Security Clearance;

Bonus

- Direct experience with NASA SCaN, TDRSS, CSP, NextSTEP programs, or NASA center processes (MSFC, GSFC), including familiarity with NASA-STD guidelines and tailored GEVS qualification.
- Domain understanding of space-to-space RF communications, bent-pipe or regenerative payloads, frequency planning, digital IF/SDR architectures, and dynamic link budget analysis.
- Experience with satellite ground station deployment, data transport, and automated service scheduling interfaces (APIs/GUIs).
- Direct background in spacecraft assembly, integration, environmental testing (TVAC, vibration, acoustic), launch vehicle integration, and on-orbit operations.
- Familiarity with NIST SP 800-53 security controls, CMMC, FedRAMP, Commercial Architecture Security Questionnaire (CASQ), or obtaining USG Authority to Connect (ATC).
- Advanced proficiency in schedule and resource management platforms (Smartsheet, Jira, Confluence, MS Project) and cost account management principles.

What we offer:

All our positions offer a compensation package that includes equity and robust benefits.

Base pay is just one component of Astranis’s total rewards package. Your compensation also includes a significant equity package via incentive stock options, high-quality company-subsidized healthcare, disability and life insurance, 401(k) retirement planning, flexible PTO, and free on-site catered meals.

Astranis pay ranges are informed and defined through professional-grade salary surveys and compensation data sources. The actual base salary offered to a successful candidate will additionally be influenced by a variety of factors including experience, credentials & certifications, educational attainment, skill level requirements, and the level and scope of the position.

Base Salary $145,000—$185,000 USD

U.S. Citizenship, Lawful Permanent Residency, or Refugee/Asylee Status Required

(To comply with U.S. Government space technology export regulations, applicant must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the United States, or other protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3))

Our mission and products are built for everyone, regardless of gender, race, creed, or background. We believe in a diverse and inclusive workplace, and we invite all people to join our team and bring their unique perspectives to make us stronger.

SMS Terms of Service

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1. For help, reply HELP or contact us at EMAIL or PHONE NUMBER.
2. Carriers are not liable for delayed or undelivered messages.
3. Message and data rates may apply. Message frequency may vary. Contact your wireless provider for details.
4. For more information on how we handle your data, please review our Privacy Policy at: https://www.astranis.com/legal/privacy.

## About Astranis

## Company Overview
- **One-liner**: Astranis designs, builds, and operates small, radiation-hardened geostationary (GEO) satellites for dedicated broadband and government missions.
- **Entity Type**: Private (Series E, total funding >$1.2B)
- **Headquarters**: San Francisco, California, United States
- **Founded**: 2015
- **Founders**: John Gedmark (CEO), Ryan McLinko (CTO)

## Core Business
- **Primary industry**: Space Research and Technology – geostationary communications satellites.
- **Target customers**: Telecommunications operators (B2B), U.S. Government (Space Force, NASA), allied nations.
- **Mission statement**: “Connect the world” and “extend humanity’s reach beyond Low Earth Orbit.”

## Products & Services
- **[MicroGEO]**: A small, radiation-hardened GEO satellite that delivers dedicated broadband (up to 8.5 Gbit/s per satellite). Used for commercial connectivity and government missions (communications, PNT, science).
- **[Government Programs]**: Prime contractor for Space Force’s Resilient GPS program; contracts with NASA and other defense partners for high-orbit spacecraft.
- **[Satellite Services]**: End‑to‑end design, manufacture, test, and operation of GEO satellites. Over $1 billion in satellite services sold across 10+ satellites on contract.

## Market Standing
- **Valuation**: Not publicly disclosed.
- **Key Metric**: Total funding raised >$1.2 billion (latest Series E of $450M added in 2025).
- **Notable Investors/Partners**: BlackRock, Venrock, Andreessen Horowitz, Y Combinator (Winter 2016 cohort). Customers include Pacific Dataport (Alaska), Orbits Corp (Philippines), Thaicom (Thailand), Orbith (Argentina), Apco Networks (Mexico), and U.S. Space Force.
- **Growth Signals**:
  - Headcount: 439 employees (+21.4% YoY) as of mid‑2025.
  - 5 satellites currently on orbit; 10+ under contract.
  - Goal to launch 100 satellites by 2030.
  - Selected to design next‑gen Resilient GPS satellites for Space Force.
  - Expanded into government science, PNT, and national security missions.

## Competitive Advantages
- **Only company building small, radiation‑hardened satellites for GEO** – traditional GEO satellites are behemoths costing hundreds of millions; Astranis’s compact design slashes cost and lead time.
- **In‑house manufacturing and testing** at Historic Pier 70 (San Francisco) – full vertical integration from machining to final test.
- **Radiation‑tolerant electronics** that survive the harsh GEO environment without expensive custom radiation‑hardened components.
- **Dedicated satellite networks** – each MicroGEO provides a private, resilient link, unlike shared LEO constellations.

## Strategic Focus
- Scale production to 100+ satellites by 2030, targeting both commercial broadband and major U.S. Government programs of record.
- Expand beyond communications into position, navigation, and timing (PNT), science, and national security missions.
- Strengthen “New Prime” role for defense space contracts.

## Why Work Here
- **Culture**: “Calling, not a career” – mission‑driven team working on the world’s most advanced high‑orbit satellites.
- **Work model**: Fully in‑person, 5 days per week at a historic factory/shipyard turned spaceship factory.
- **Compensation**: Competitive pay, broad equity ownership, and comprehensive health/wealth/well‑being benefits.
- **Impact**: Directly connect millions of people to affordable internet and support U.S. national security from space.
- **Growth**: 131 active job openings across hardware, software, manufacturing, operations, and government programs (as of mid‑2025).

## Sources
1. [astranis.com](https://www.astranis.com/)
2. [astranis.com/careers](https://www.astranis.com/careers)
3. [LinkedIn – Astranis](https://www.linkedin.com/company/astranis)
4. [Wikipedia – Astranis](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Astranis)
5. [Greenhouse – Astranis Jobs](http://job-boards.greenhouse.io/astranis)

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