Deputy Program Manager, Propulsion Development

About the role

Venus Aerospace develops rocket engine propulsion systems, including its Rotating Detonation Rocket Engine and Detonation Ramjets. The Deputy Program Manager for Propulsion Development partners with leaders from manufacturing, engineering, test, purchasing and sales to develop Venus propulsion systems. The role owns program requirements, schedules and budgets and ensures the integrated team delivers systems with exceptional performance and propellant mass fraction that are manufacturable and marketable. It is a hands-on program leadership position in a rapidly evolving startup environment.

Key responsibilities

• Ensure alignment between the business plan and the technology roadmap
• Manage cost, schedule and technical performance from design through manufacturing, integration, test and deployment
• Work with engineering to turn mission needs into product requirements, guide design reviews and manage technical or contractual changes
• Work with manufacturing to ensure designs are manufacturable and supply chains can support timelines
• Work with test so that design of experiments meet exit criteria and achieve product performance
• Lead program reviews, present technical and schedule briefings, negotiate requirements and build relationships with customers
• Identify risks early, develop mitigation plans and keep the schedule on track under aggressive timelines
• Lead proposal efforts and contract negotiations, ensuring compliance with FAR/DFARS requirements

Required profile

• Bachelor's degree in Aerospace Engineering, Systems Engineering or a related technical field, or equivalent experience
• 15+ years of experience in aerospace, defense or national security programs
• 5+ years as a Program Manager in aerospace
• Proven track record of excellence and success managing complex, multi-disciplinary engineering programs to cost and schedule
• U.S. citizenship with the ability to obtain and maintain a Secret clearance

Required skills

• Excellent communication and technical writing skills, including preparation of CDRLs and technical data packages
• Preferred: familiarity with USG programs, acquisitions and operational concepts
• Preferred: understanding of U.S. Government acquisition processes, contracting and requirements decomposition
• Preferred: familiarity with rapid prototyping, OTA contracts and accelerated development environments