Program Director, Radar Programs
Required skills
- Aerospace
- Defense
- Satellite
- National Security
- U.S. Government
- Firm-Fixed-Price
- Milestone-Based
- Program Management
- Integrated Master Schedule
- Risk Management
Nice to have
- PMP
- Satellite Communications
- Optical Inter-satellite Links
- SATCOM ground segment
Role summary
AST SpaceMobile Defense is seeking a Program Director to lead a mission-critical program for a U.S. Government customer. This role involves full lifecycle management of a satellite program, from delivery to operations, under a firm-fixed-price contract. The Director will be the primary customer point of contact, responsible for programmatic execution, schedule, risk, and financial management. Key responsibilities include maintaining an Integrated Master Schedule, managing a risk registry, leading program reviews, and coordinating with cross-functional engineering and operations teams. The position requires a Bachelor's degree, 12+ years of aerospace/defense program management experience, and strong leadership and communication skills. Experience with satellite programs and PMO development is highly preferred.
AST SpaceMobile and our global partners are building the first and only space-based cellular broadband network to be accessible by standard smartphones. Called SpaceMobile, this ultra-powerful network is being designed to provide connectivity at 4G/5G speeds everywhere on the planet – on land, at sea and in flight.
Position Overview
We are seeking a Program Director to lead execution of a mission-critical program supporting a U.S. Government customer’s national security objective. The program is built around a dedicated, minimally modified derivative of AST's commercial satellite constellation, and encompasses the full lifecycle — satellite delivery, launch, commissioning, and on-orbit mission operations — under a firm-fixed-price, milestone-based contract structure.
Serving as the single point of accountability for the program, the Director will own the customer relationship and be responsible for overall programmatic execution, including schedule and risk management, while coordinating closely with cross-functional teams across Systems Engineering, Space Segment, Launch, Ground Segment, and Mission Operations. This is a high-visibility leadership position reporting directly to the Director of Program Management, with the opportunity to shape and influence how AST SpaceMobile Defense builds out its program management function.
Key Responsibilities:
Qualifications
Education:
Experience:
Preferred Qualifications:
Soft Skills:
Technology Stack:
Security Clearance:
Must be a U.S. Citizen and possess (or be able to obtain and maintain) an active U.S. Security Clearance.
Physical Requirements
This job description may not be inclusive to the duties and responsibilities listed. Additional tasks may be assigned to the employee from time to time or the scope of the job may change as needed by business demands.
AST SpaceMobile is an Equal Opportunity, at will Employer; employment is governed on the basis of merit, competence and qualifications and will not be influenced in any manner by race, color, religion, gender, national origin/ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, mental or physical disability or any other legally protected status.
