Software program manager

Job ID: 8687C
Date Posted: October 12, 2026

Space Dynamics Laboratory (SDL) is seeking an experienced and detail-oriented advanced career Software Program Manager to lead the development and sustainment of complex software systems supporting satellite ground operations in our Strategic & Military Space Division. This role bridges technical leadership, stakeholder communication, and project execution, and Agile team enablement to ensure delivery of high-reliability software critical to national security and space missions.

The selected candidate will help establish effective delivery practices across cross-functional teams, facilitate collaboration and continuous improvement, remove organizational and technical impediments, and align iterative software delivery with customers, mission, and program objectives.

The Strategic & Military Space Division delivers advanced satellite and sensor systems that support the Department of Defense and the Intelligence Community. Our division is a key component of national security, providing technological solutions and expert mission support. Become part of a team dedicated to making a tangible contribution to our nation’s defense capabilities.

Key Responsibilities:

• Leads cross-functional software development teams delivering ground system capabilities including telemetry, tracking, and command (TT&C), mission planning, automation, and data processing
• Manages project lifecycle from concept through operations, ensuring scope, schedule, budget, quality, security and mission objectives are met
• Facilitate planning, daily coordination, reviews, retrospectives, backlog refinement, and other team activities that promote transparency, alignment, and continuous improvement
• Partners with Product Owners, technical leads, customers, and Government sponsors to maintain alignment on priorities, acceptance criteria, dependencies, and delivery outcomes
• Serves as a servant leader and delivery facilitator, helping teams self-organize, improve flow, resolve conflicts, and maintain focus on the highest-value work
• Identifies, tracks, and removes organizational, technical, resource, and process impediments that could affect delivery
• Uses Agile and program metrics to support decision-making and communicate status
• Manages project and program risks, issues, dependencies, change control, and related management processes
• Tracks and reports program status, technical progress, delivery forecasts, resource allocation, risks, and impediments to senior leadership and customers

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in technical engineering, computer science, information systems, or other relevant field
• 15+ years of applicable experience with a bachelor’s degree, or 13+ years with a master’s degree
• Minimum of 10 years of software program/project management experience, including at least 5 years in critical and complex DoW programs
• Practical experience applying Agile, Scrum, Kanban, or hybrid delivery practices in a complex technical environment, or equivalent experience leading iterative software delivery and continuous-improvement activities.
• Demonstrated experience leading cross-functional software teams through iterative or incremental development and delivery
• Proven success managing complex software projects through full development lifecycle
• Strong understanding of ground system architecture and satellite operations
• Proficiency with project and Agile collaboration tools, such as Jira, Confluence, Microsoft Project, or comparable platforms
• Demonstrated experience serving as an Agile delivery lead, iteration manager, Scrum Master, Release Train Engineer, Product Owner partner, or equivalent role
• Excellent communication, presentation, and stakeholder management skills
• Ability to support new proposal efforts with technical writing, proposal management support, subcontractor evaluation, and other duties as requested
• Must be a U.S. citizen with an active U.S. Government security clearance at the time of application
• Must be able and willing to travel (up to 25%)

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in computer science, electrical engineering, computer engineering, or Information Systems; Master of Business Administration (MBA) with a technical Bachelor of Science degree
• PMP, PMI-ACP, Professional Scrum Master (PSM), Certified ScrumMaster (CSM), SAFe, or comparable Agile or program-management certification
• Technical domain knowledge of scalable architecture, distributed infrastructure in Azure, AWS, or Google Cloud
• At least 2 years of experience in satellite, aerospace, defense, intelligence, or other space-system domains
• 15+ years of project management experience in aerospace including experience managing software for space operations centers, antenna tasking, mission control systems, or related ground systems
• Experience operating in environments that combine Agile software development with formal systems engineering, milestone reviews, configuration management, cybersecurity, or government acquisition requirements
• Background in DevSecOps, continuous integration/continuous deployment (CI/CD), automated testing, model based system engineering, or digital engineering

Salary Range

$177,000 - $210,000
Salary commensurate based on education and relevant experience

This range serves as a general guideline and may vary based on factors such as role, level, location, market conditions, and individual qualifications, including job-related skills, experience, and relevant education or training. The range displayed in the job advertisement reflects the minimum and maximum target salaries across all US locations. Specific salary details for a candidate’s preferred location can be provided by the recruiter or HR manager during the hiring process.

Why Join SDL?

SDL offers competitive salaries and a comprehensive benefits package. Visit our Benefits Page to learn more about what we offer.

SDL delivers advanced multi-domain solutions to protect national security and enable scientific discovery. Our expertise in satellites, sensors and instruments, ground systems and data processing, and autonomous systems plays a critical role in missions supporting NASA and the Department of Defense. Join our team of engineers, scientists, technicians, and business professionals in our seventh decade of delivering mission success.

At SDL, we strive to uphold a culture of respect, collaboration, empowerment, and accountability. We listen with open minds, seek to understand diverse perspectives, and engage in thoughtful dialogue. We work together by sharing knowledge, involving others, and offering support. We trust and empower our team members to take ownership, act with integrity, and be accountable. Above all, we deliver on our commitments to each other and to our mission partners.

The application window for this position is expected to remain open for approximately 7 days; however, it may be shortened or extended depending on business needs and the availability of qualified candidates. We encourage interested candidates to submit their applications promptly.

For questions, assistance, or accommodation with the application process or the DoD SkillBridge program, please contact employment@sdl.usu.edu.