Government Program Development Manager

SpaceX was founded under the belief that a future where humanity is out exploring the stars is fundamentally more exciting than one where we are not. Today SpaceX is actively developing the technologies to make this possible, with the ultimate goal of enabling human life on Mars.

GOVERNMENT PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT MANAGER (FEDERAL CIVIL AGENCIES)

Starshield leverages SpaceX’s Starlink technology and launch capability to support national security efforts. While Starlink is designed for consumer and commercial use, Starshield is designed for government use, with an initial focus on earth observation, communications, and hosted payloads. SpaceX Government Sales is expanding the team to support the deployment of Starshield capabilities for the U.S. Government.

SpaceX’s Government Program Development team is seeking a mission-oriented, results-driven  Program Development Manager to grow the Starshield and AI business across U.S. Federal Civil agencies. We are looking for candidates who can develop and execute a strategy for government stakeholder engagement, lead capture efforts, and drive and scale a development pipeline for satellite communications and AI enterprise solutions with a startup mindset in a fast-paced, dynamic work environment. This role is ideal for someone who understands the Federal Civilian opportunity landscape, has extensive experience working across federal civilian mission areas and can identify addressable gaps and challenges, and is motivated by owning mission-critical outcomes.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Identify, build, and maintain relationships with key Federal Civil agency decision-makers, program managers, and technical evaluators across communications and AI portfolios
• Identify new business opportunities and grow existing programs, finding new ways to expand space sensing, satellite communications and AI solutions into quantifiable new business lines and revenue sources for federal civilian agency solutions
• Shape and support SpaceX responses to RFIs, RFPs, Sources Sought, and other government solicitations including pricing, technical volume, strategy, and win themes
• Actively collaborate with engineering, customer ops, finance, and other internal business units to drive sales results and efficiency
• Dive deep into U.S. Government connectivity, satellite communications, artificial intelligence, agentic LLM, and compute markets to identify trends, insights and opportunities for SpaceX to pursue
• Conduct internal and external coordination across multidisciplinary teams, ensuring close coordination with engineering, mission management, finance, and contracts in program development phase
• Continuously refine engagement roadmap based on internal strategies, mission needs, customer feedback, and competitive analysis.

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s degree
• 5+ years of experience in business development, account management, sales, or US Government acquisition

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:

• Bachelor’s degree in a technical discipline
• Master’s degree in a technical discipline or an MBA
• Clear and effective written and verbal communication and strong interpersonal skills
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail in managing complex government sales cycles and familiarity with federal procurement processes and contract vehicles
• Working knowledge of AI/ML and aerospace concepts and ability to articulate to business decision makers.
• Demonstrated analytical and problem-solving skills in a team environment
• Clear and effective written and verbal communication and strong interpersonal skills
• Ability to assess market trends that indicate business opportunities in the short- and long-term
• Ability to thrive in a dynamic, entrepreneurial environment; must exhibit high ownership, initiative, and accountability
• US Government Security Clearance

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Must be able to travel domestically as needed (~25-50%)
• Must be able to work extended hours and weekends as needed
• This position is based in Washington, DC and requires being onsite - remote work not considered 
• This position requires successfully obtaining and maintaining a Top Secret Security Clearance as a condition of employment. While the clearance may not be immediately necessary upon hire, we encourage you to initiate the application process promptly upon accepting this offer. Your ability to secure the necessary clearance is essential for fulfilling key responsibilities of the role. Should you be unable to obtain it, SpaceX reserves the right to modify or terminate your employment to align with operational needs

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS 

Pay range:    
$115,000.00 - $155,000.00/per year    

Your actual level and base salary will be determined on a case-by-case basis and may vary based on the following considerations: job-related knowledge and skills, education, and experience. Those with an active clearance will receive a 10% differential, up to an additional $20,000 annually, once officially briefed into a classified program.

Base salary is just one part of your total rewards package at SpaceX. You may also be eligible for long-term incentives, in the form of company stock or long-term cash awards, as well as potential discretionary bonuses and the ability to purchase additional stock at a discount through an Employee Stock Purchase Plan. You will also receive access to comprehensive medical, vision, and dental coverage, access to a 401(k) retirement plan, short and long-term disability insurance, life insurance, paid parental leave, and various other discounts and perks. You may also accrue 3 weeks of paid vacation and will be eligible for 10 or more paid holidays per year. Employees accrue paid sick leave pursuant to Company policy which satisfies or exceeds the accrual, carryover, and use requirements of the law.

ITAR REQUIREMENTS:

• To conform to U.S. Government export regulations, applicant must be a (i) U.S. citizen or national, (ii) U.S. lawful, permanent resident (aka green card holder), (iii) Refugee under 8 U.S.C. § 1157, or (iv) Asylee under 8 U.S.C. § 1158, or be eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State. Learn more about the ITAR here.  

SpaceX is an Equal Opportunity Employer; employment with SpaceX 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.

Applicants wishing to view a copy of SpaceX’s Affirmative Action Plan for veterans and individuals with disabilities, or applicants requiring reasonable accommodation to the application/interview process should reach out to EEOCompliance@spacex.com.