Senior Technical Project Manager, Software

Vast is looking for a Senior Technical Project Manager, Software, reporting to the Staff Technical Project Manager, to support the development of software that will be required to fly human-rated space stations.

This will be a full-time, exempt position located in our Long Beach location. 

As a Software Technical Project Manager at Vast, you’ll leverage your technical expertise to help drive complex, multi-disciplinary hardware and software projects. Rather than writing code, your role is to understand high-level software concepts and ensure alignment across engineering teams. You should have a strong grasp of fundamental computing principles, including what a compiler does, what a build system is, the difference between an embedded system and a PC, and the basics of how the internet functions. You will be embedded directly with the software teams at Vast.

You’re naturally curious about technology, deeply interested in how systems interact, and comfortable discussing technical trade-offs with engineers without overstepping into engineering roles. Additionally, you should have a foundational understanding of high-level electrical engineering concepts. A background in science or engineering is highly beneficial, as it enables you to bridge communication across disciplines and facilitate efficient collaboration. 

Responsibilities: 

• Leverage your technical expertise to lead complex, multi-disciplinary software projects from start to finish, managing multiple critical software work streams such as mission operations software, flight software, embedded software, hardware-in-the-loop (HITL), simulation and modeling.
• Act as a single point of contact for driving scope, schedule, cost, and resource management
• Work closely with internal teams, external customers, and external vendors to deliver software solutions on tight timelines.
• Report out project status and risk to program stakeholders and senior leadership
• Organize and lead sprint planning for multiple software releases across multiple software teams.
• Ensure program documents are complete, current and available for staff and leadership review
• Contribute to resource planning to ensure program success
• Establish standard reports to provide concise and effective communications to key stakeholders on program status, issues/risks, and accomplishments
• Apply first principles approach to solve problems on tight timelines

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor of Science degree in Software Engineering, Computer Science, Informatics, or related discipline
• 5 years of experience in technical project or program management
• Experience with Agile project management philosophies and proficient with project management tools
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills. Able to clearly communicate to both technical and non-technical audiences how technical and program trade offs impact overall mission success
• Proficient at reading and writing software. You won’t be expected to write software as part of your day to day job, however, a successful candidate will understand software fundamentals and be comfortable reading and understanding code
• Aptitude to thrive in a fast-paced environment

Preferred Skills & Experience:

• Experience with software projects that have a large hardware dependency.
• E.g. Robotics, Spacecraft, Drones, Medical Devices
• Track record of launching space flight software or other similar hardware/software devices from concept to production
• Ability to multitask in a dynamic environment with shifting priorities and changing requirements
• Ability to think strategically and tactically and to build consensus to make programs successful

Additional Requirements:

• Ability to travel up to 15% of the time
• Must be willing and able to work weekends and non-standard work-week hours to support critical mission milestones