Engineering Program Manager II​/III

About Opterus

Opterus Research & Development is an innovative aerospace company based in Loveland, Colorado, specializing in deployable space structures and high‑strain composite systems. We combine cutting‑edge composite materials, origami‑inspired architectures, and elegant engineering to deliver lightweight, high‑performance structural systems for commercial, defense, and scientific missions.

The Engineering Program Manager will lead the planning, execution, and delivery of spacecraft hardware for a NASA flight program. You will be responsible for guiding program planning, schedules, budgets, technical maturity, risk management, and customer communication while also providing hands‑on technical leadership at key decision points. Experience with space‑qualified hardware, flight programs with NASA or other government customers, and complex aerospace mechanisms or deployable systems is strongly preferred.

Program Leadership & Execution

• Lead end‑to‑end execution of a novel flight hardware program, including planning, schedule development, cost tracking, and risk management.
• Coordinate cross‑functional engineering teams (mechanical, structures, manufacturing, systems, test).
• Drive milestone reviews (SRR, PDR, CDR, TRR, FRR) and ensure both technical and programmatic readiness.
• Serve as the primary point of contact with NASA and other stakeholders, ensuring clear and timely communication.
• Lead requirements definition and management activities: translate mission needs into traceable system and hardware requirements and oversee development of verification plans and artifacts.

Technical Ownership

• Guide system architecture decisions and technical strategy for the development of spaceflight hardware and deployable structures.
• Provide oversight for the design, analysis, prototyping, qualification, and acceptance of space‑qualified mechanisms and structural systems.
• Support system‑level assessments, performance evaluations, and integration with spacecraft bus components.
• Ensure alignment between engineering disciplines to meet structural, mechanical, environmental, and mission performance requirements.
• Review and approve engineering documentation, design analyses, test procedures, and test reports.
• Work with structures, mechanisms, and manufacturing teams to ensure manufacturability, repeatability, and robust production processes.
• Support integration and test activities for flight hardware, including functional testing, deployment testing, and environmental qualifications consistent with NASA requirements.

Cross‑Functional Collaboration & Continuous Improvement

• Partner closely with manufacturing, quality, and supply chain to ensure smooth production and delivery.
• Identify program inefficiencies and lead continuous improvement initiatives.
• Mentor engineers and contribute to the development of internal standards and best practices.
• Support sales activities including customer requirements discovery, concept and project planning, project estimating, and cost support.
• Contribute to company outreach activities including marketing and lead generation.

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Systems Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related field.
• 5+ years of experience in spacecraft systems or hardware development.
• Proven experience leading multi‑disciplinary aerospace hardware programs.
• Experience with space‑qualified hardware and environmental test campaigns.
• Excellent communication skills and ability to coordinate across technical and programmatic domains.
• Ability to work in a fast‑paced environment with high levels of ownership and accountability.

• Experience supporting or leading NASA or DoD flight programs, or similar spaceflight mission development.
• Familiarity with deployable structures, mechanisms, composite structures, or precision aerospace hardware.
• Knowledge of spaceflight qualification processes (NASA, DoD, or commercial).
• PMP certification or formal project management training.
• Background in small‑company or rapid‑development engineering environments.

• Flexible and hybrid work schedules (two or more days in office per week).
• Comprehensive benefits package including Medical, Dental, Vision, Short‑Term Disability, Long‑Term Disability, Life, and AD&D insurance.
• Opterus pays 100% of employees’ premiums and 70% of dependents’ premiums.
• 401K matching up to 4%.
• 9 paid holidays.

Engineering Program Manager Level II: $110,000-$135,000/per year

Engineering Program Manager Level III: $130,000-$160,000/per year