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DESCRIPTION

Project Kuiper is an initiative to increase global broadband access through a constellation of 3,236 satellites in low Earth orbit (LEO). Its mission is to bring fast, affordable broadband to unserved and underserved communities around the world. Project Kuiper will help close the digital divide by delivering fast, affordable broadband to a wide range of customers, including consumers, businesses, government agencies, and other organizations operating in places without reliable connectivity.

We are looking for an experienced Senior Technical Program Manager to help drive the development of cutting edge test infrastructure and take satellites from initial build, through functional testing, spacecraft validation, and chart the path to reliably integrating and launching thousands of satellites. This is a fast-paced, intellectually challenging opportunity to work with thought leaders in multiple technology areas. Our team is responsible for development and implementation of hardware and software tools to enable the execution of qualification and manufacturing tests at the integrated vehicle level.



Key job responsibilities
- Develop and execute test program plans, including scope, goals, schedules, resource allocation, and risk management, while tracking and reporting on progress to stakeholders and senior leadership.
- Collaborate with engineers, program managers and other stakeholders to define test and project requirements, establish priorities, and drive cross-functional teams towards successful project outcomes.
- Identify and mitigate risks and issues that may impact test campaigns, implementing appropriate contingency plans and escalating as necessary.
- Foster a culture of innovation, continuous improvement, and operational excellence, identifying opportunities to optimize processes and drive efficiency.
- Build and maintain strong relationships with stakeholders, including senior leadership, and serve as a trusted advisor, providing strategic guidance on program execution and risk management.
- Mentor and guide junior TPMs across the org, providing support and expertise in program management best practices, fostering their growth and development within the organization.
- Stay abreast of industry trends, emerging technologies, and best practices in program management, bringing in new ideas and approaches to drive continuous improvement.

Export Control Requirement:
Due to applicable export control laws and regulations, candidates must be a U.S. citizen or national, U.S. permanent resident (i.e., current Green Card holder), or lawfully admitted into the U.S. as a refugee or granted asylum.


A day in the life
As an IVT Senior Technical Program Manager (TPM) you will become intimately familiar with the Kuiper satellite and the ecosystem of tools and services used in day-to-day satellite test operations. You will play a critical role in leading and driving the successful planning and execution of complex vehicle level test campaigns and the deployment of one-of-a-kind test solutions to enable project Kuiper manufacturing targets. The ideal candidate will have experience in execution of system level tests for complex systems with a proven background in implementing hardware and software tooling for test and manufacturing operations. The individual must be able to help define and drive Project Kuiper’s requirements that govern design and execution of satellite level test campaigns including thermal vacuum, anechoic and functional verification.

You will support a talented team of engineers in day-to-day test activities in development labs and manufacturing environments. You will anticipate bottlenecks, provide escalation management, anticipate and make tradeoffs, and balance the business needs versus technical constraints. An ability to take large, complex projects and break them down into manageable pieces, develop functional specifications, then deliver them in a successful and timely manner is expected.

The ideal candidate is a hands-on influential technical leader with a desire to understand and deep dive into highly complex systems and do what’s necessary to unblock progress towards our business goals. Being able to separate what's important from what's urgent and find the best path forward from among multiple scenarios and earn the trust of stakeholders and customers is critical for this role.

About the team
The Integrated Vehicle Test team is responsible for development and execution of test plans to ensure reliable operation of satellite vehicles in space. The team’s responsibilities include process development, test hardware development and test execution for qualification vehicles and improving and scaling processes for production cadence. The tasks and daily focus change rapidly, and you will often take on exciting new responsibilities to ensure project success. Expect to be deployed to address complex problems by identifying the scope of the issue and quickly establishing innovative and functional solutions.