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…