Senior Technical Program Manager

Team:  

The Stennis team at Relativity Space is responsible for designing, building, and operating world-class test stands to support the Terran R stages, engines, and propulsion components. As part of this team, you will help build and operate massive outdoor test stands at the historic Stennis Space Center on the Gulf Coast, the largest rocket engine test complex in the country. Unique to this location, you will have the opportunity to get hands-on the fully integrated engine and stage assemblies, push the hardware to the limits, and witness rocket engines firing up close and personal! This team is critical to the launch success of Terran R, among many other firsts! 

What you’ll do: 

We are looking for a Senior Technical Program Manager to join our growing team to support Test Operations at Stennis Space Center (SSC).  The teams at SSC are responsible for designing, building, and operating world-class test infrastructure to support our next generation vehicle Terran R. As part of this team, you will be a key role in supporting the build and operation of test infrastructure at Stennis known historically for processing flight vehicles such as Saturn V and Shuttle programs and more recently the Artemis project. This team is critical to the success of our Terran R program with plenty of opportunities to be involved with flight hardware testing or launching the next generation world class rocket. Your mission is to ensure that we have a world class test site operational, ultimately supporting our overall mission here at Relativity of creating humanity’s industrial base on Mars. Work with key leaders to develop and coordinate the execution of a site strategic roadmap encompassing all aspects from design to build. Where others add complexity, your primary role is to simplify internal requirements and operations as well as external supplier performance. You will be expected to leverage your leadership and soft skills to bring together test and launch operations, site logistics, infrastructure, and vehicle engineering to drive successful site operations and support of the Terran R program. You will be expected to bridge the gap between technical engineering teams and communicating roadmaps and progress to our leadership team. Working with key stakeholders, you will coordinate development initiatives to define objectives and key results that track progress across an array of technical problems and phenomena related to designing, building, and operating a world class test site.

• Develop, maintain and track overall project schedules and budgets through on site representation.
• Develop, track, and analyze metrics pertinent to team performance; help drive areas of opportunity to maximize team output. 
• Identify key Launch needs and goals through coordination with engineering and build teams.
• Engage with test operations and engineering leadership to maximize collaboration & engagement between Relativity groups to drive key decisions.
• Communicate project and operational progress across various stakeholder groups.
• Review, analyze, and optimize systems and processes that impact overall site program deliverables.

What you need to know:  

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, science, mathematics, or related fields; aerospace, electrical, or mechanical engineering degree preferred
• 3+ years of experience in a program management role on a complex technical project
• Experience managing programs across matrix organizations, building sustainable processes, and coordinating design releases and key engineering trades
• Proven ability to lead by influence and collaborate with technical owners (engineering, supply chain, manufacturing, test, and launch) to establish a plan without crowding out their ownership

Nice to haves but not required:  

• Proven ability to solve complex technical problems and design robust, scalable solutions
• Strong executive presence, including ability to drive clarity and action across all levels within the company
• Robust communication skills across numerous stakeholders and teams as well as navigating both technical and strategic discussions
• Experience and measurable evidence of solving ambiguous problems, including the introduction of new tools and processes
• Experience with hardware product development or experience in vehicle design, manufacturing, test or operations (plus points for launch vehicle experience)
• MBA, Master’s in engineering, science, mathematics or related fields, or equivalent experience preferred
• Ability to work independently and report to remote management

Successful candidates must clear a background check administered by the US government to obtain clearance for on-site work at our government partner location in Stennis, Mississippi.