Technical Program Manager, Software
Software TPM at satellite navigation startup Xona, owning execution of software programs across navigation service, mission operations, and flight software — managing schedules, releases, dependencies, and risk while building automation tooling (Python/TypeScript/Go, GitHub/GitLab, Linear/Wrike) and covering hardware program coordination from their Burlingame, CA office.
- Compensation
- $145K–$175K / yr
- Location
- Burlingame, California
- Work setup
- Onsite
- Seniority
- Not specified
- Employment
- Full time
- Experience
- 4+ years
- Category
- Project management
- Posted
Skills
Must have
- 4–7 years of program or project management experience in complex software development, with meaningful exposure to aerospace, robotics, or another hardware-adjacent technical field
- Experience program-managing software teams through both active development and live/operational phases
- Strong systems thinker able to track interdependencies across multiple software workstreams and their hardware interfaces
- Comfortable operating in hardware environments (spacecraft, robotics, avionics, RF, or integration/test programs)
- Proficient as a programmer (Python, TypeScript/Node.js, or Go) to build and deploy internal tools, bots, and automations
- Self-directed and comfortable operating with limited oversight
- Clear communicator who can work credibly with engineers and summarize status for leadership
- U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident, or other protected individual per U.S. space technology export regulations (for U.S. roles)
Nice to have
- Familiarity with GNSS, PNT systems, or mission operations concepts (telemetry, commanding, ground segment, on-orbit anomaly response)
- Experience building bots and custom integrations across developer toolchains (GitHub, Linear/Wrike, Teams, Datadog, AWS/GCP) or internal developer portals
- Hands-on experience with satellite bus subsystems or RF/navigation payloads, or a full satellite program cycle from PDR/CDR through launch/operations
- Hands-on knowledge of workflow automation platforms (Temporal, n8n, Airflow, or similar)
- Prior experience as a software engineer or DevOps engineer before moving into TPM
- PMP, Agile, or other PM certifications
Full description
Xona is the navigational intelligence company bringing real-time, centimeter-level certainty to any device, anywhere on Earth.
With Pulsar – the world’s most advanced PNT satellite infrastructure in Low Earth Orbit – Xona will offer a future-proof, backwards-compatible global positioning system optimized for absolute precision, superior power, and robust protection.
Overview
As Software TPM, you'll own the execution of our software programs across navigation service, mission operations, and flight software -- working closely with our program lead and engineering teams to keep a fast-moving, highly interdependent software organization on track. Beyond running the program, you'll also build the connective tissue -- tooling, automation, and reporting.
We're looking for someone who is software-first -- you think in releases, dependencies, and code -- but who is genuinely comfortable stepping into hardware territory: sitting in on bus/payload reviews, understanding integration and test constraints, and covering for the Satellite TPM when programs need an extra set of hands. If you want real ownership, proximity to the code and the constellation, and a chance to build both the program and the systems that run it, this role is for you!
Responsibilities
- Software Schedule Ownership: Own and maintain the software development schedule across Nav Service, Mission Ops, and flight software (GNC, FSW, payload core), tracking progress against milestones, managing critical path, and keeping the program honest -- especially through the transition from Design/Build/Test into on-orbit operations
- Cross-Functional Coordination: Serve as the program hub across Nav Service, Mission Ops, and flight software teams -- translating technical progress into shared plans and clear accountability. Partner tightly with the Satellite TPM to keep software and hardware programs in sync at every shared interface (software readiness, bus interfaces, on-orbit test campaigns).
- Release & Dependency Management: Support release management and dependency tracking across all software teams, ensuring releases are coordinated, tested, and deployed without surprises to downstream teams or live operations
- System Automation & Tooling: Identify manual operational overhead across teams and build the lightweight tooling, bots, and integrations to eliminate it -- connecting platforms like GitHub/GitLab, Wrike/Linear, Teams, and monitoring tools into a single source of operational truth
- Risk & Issue Resolution: Surface risks early, maintain the risk register, and work directly with technical leads to resolve blockers before they hit the schedule. Escalate to program leadership with context and a recommended path forward.