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Aerospace, Space Technology, Defense, Intelligence, Big Data, Analytics

Sovereign Program Manager

Herndon, VAOnsiteFull Time$170,000–$200,000 /yrPosted 26 days agoVisa sponsorship available

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Required skills

  • RF
  • satellite communications
  • payload systems
  • space architecture
  • program management
  • sovereign customers
  • government partners
  • secure communications
  • compliance
  • export controls

Nice to have

  • RF hardware development
  • secure waveform design
  • payload integration
  • defense ministries
  • national-level programs
  • cross-cultural teams

Role summary

HawkEye 360 is seeking a Sovereign Program Manager to lead RF and space systems programs for defense and national security clients. This role requires a blend of technical expertise in RF, satellite communications, and space architecture, along with strong program management skills. Responsibilities include managing program activities, serving as a technical liaison, coordinating engineering teams, monitoring program health (risks, financials, contracts), and ensuring compliance with security and regulatory requirements. The ideal candidate has 10+ years in RF/space systems, 5+ years managing complex programs for sovereign customers, and a strategic yet tactical approach to execution. Experience in regulated or classified environments is essential.

The Sovereign Program Manager supports the planning, coordination, and delivery of sovereign and national-level programs within the RF and space systems portfolio. This role blends technical knowledge in RF, satellite communications, payload systems, and space architecture with hands-on program management responsibilities. The position helps ensure programs meet customer mission needs, follow required security and compliance guidelines, and are executed reliably and on schedule.

Your main responsibilities will be:

  • Manage day-to-day program activities for sovereign RF and space initiatives, ensuring milestones, deliverables, and customer requirements are met.
  • Serve as a technical and operational point of contact for sovereign customers and government partners.
  • Provide technical support on RF system design, payload architectures, link performance, and waveform considerations.
  • Coordinate work across multi-disciplinary engineering teams covering spacecraft, payload, ground systems, and RF subsystems.
  • Monitor program baselines, risks, financial status, and contract deliverables to maintain program health.
  • Ensure adherence to sovereign security guidelines, export controls, and specialized regulatory requirements.
  • Support development of program plans, schedules, and technology updates that improve mission performance and system resilience.
  • Work closely with engineering, operations, security, and supply chain teams to keep program execution aligned and integrated.
  • Contribute technical input for design reviews, trade studies, and major program checkpoints.
  • Promote strong team collaboration, clear communication, and consistent execution across program activities.

    • Your skills and qualifications:Essential education and experience:

  • Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Systems Engineering, or related field preferred; advanced degree welcomed.
  • 10+ years of experience in RF, satellite communications, or space systems.
  • 5+ years supporting or managing complex programs for defense or sovereign customers.
  • Knowledge of RF space missions and payload architecture.
  • Ability to work within secure and compliance-driven environments.
  • A strategic thinker with a proven track record of PMO governance who seamlessly transitions into tactical, execution-focused roles to meet project demands.
  • Experience supporting complex, multi-year programs with mission-critical dependencies.
  • Strong understanding of RF and space systems, spectrum considerations, and secure communications.
  • Familiarity with spacecraft subsystems, payload technologies, mission operations, and ground segment integration.
  • Ability to operate within regulated or classified environments and meet sovereign customer requirements.
  • Clear communication skills, including the ability to explain technical topics to non-technical stakeholders.
  • Ability to travel domestically and internationally as required.

    • Desirable:

  • Experience with RF hardware development, secure waveform design, or payload integration.
  • Background supporting defense ministries, government agencies, or national-level programs.
  • Experience working with geographically distributed or cross-cultural teams.
  • Program management or systems engineering certification (e.g., PMP, INCOSE CSEP).

    • We offer a compensation package that includes a competitive base salary plus annual performance bonus, benefits and equity. We consider many factors when determining salary offers, such as candidate's work experience, education, training & skills, as well as market and business considerations. We are also open to considering candidates with experience and qualifications at a different level than required in a job posting, which may affect the compensation package offered.

    Salary Range$170,000—$200,000 USD

    Company Overview:

    HawkEye 360 is equipping defense, intelligence, and national security leaders with mission-critical signals intelligence to enable faster, better decision making. By detecting, geolocating, and characterizing radio frequency emissions worldwide, HawkEye 360 delivers trusted domain awareness and early warning indicators to the US Government and allied partners. Our space-based collection, proprietary signal processing, and AI-powered analytics transform knowledge of RF spectrum into a strategic advantage. Proven by operational mission success, HawkEye 360 is redefining how signals intelligence strengthens national and global security.

    HawkEye 360 is committed to hiring and retaining a diverse workforce. We are proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer, making decisions without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, national origin, age, veteran status, disability, or any other protected class.

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