Position Overview 

We are seeking a dynamic and experienced Technical Project Manager (TPM) to oversee the project and program management of critical satellite and space vehicle subsystems. As a TPM, you will lead cross-functional teams through the entire lifecycle of hardware production, from manufacturing and assembly to testing and delivery. 

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead cross-functional teams in the design, manufacturing, testing, and delivery of hardware, including batteries, harnessing, Power Conditioning and Distribution Units (PCDU), Flight Computers (FC), and test equipment.
• Monitor and control earned value metrics, resource allocations, and integrated master schedules (IMS) to align with Program Management Office (PMO) deadlines.
• Guide program support activities, including subcontracting, supply chain management, material planning, and capital expenditures.
• Manage the design, configuration, and operation of engineering and reliability lab infrastructure with a focus on reducing cycle time and cost.

Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree in Electronic Engineering, Telecommunications, Industrial Engineering, or a related technical field.
• A focus or coursework in electrical systems or aerospace engineering is preferred

Experience:

A minimum of 3 years managing production teams.

Soft Skills:

• Strong interpersonal and collaboration skills, with the ability to work effectively in cross‑functional teams
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to clarify requirements and share technical updates
• Meticulous attention to details
• Strong problem‑solving and analytical skills in complex technical environments
• Ability to manage multiple tasks and meet deadlines in a dynamic setting

Technology Stack:

• Microsoft Project
• Microsoft Excel
• Confluence
• JIRA

 Physical Requirements

• Ability to work in a standard office or lab environment and use a computer for extended periods
• Ability to participate in hands‑on development or test activities as needed

This job description may not be inclusive to the duties and responsibilities listed. Additional tasks may be assigned to the employee from time to time or the scope of the job may change as needed by business demands. 

Technical Program Manager & Engineering Operations (Aerospace / Robotics)

At Near Space Labs we design, build and operate a fleet of stratospheric robots to image the Earth. We launch our proprietary, balloon-based imaging robots to heights between 40,000 and 60,000 feet. From this vantage point, we capture petabytes of imagery for a variety of use cases. 

We are seeking a Technical Program Manager to coordinate the lifecycle of new features and upgrades across R&D, Manufacturing, and Fleet Management. Reporting directly to the CTO, you will be responsible for aligning cross-functional requirements, managing critical-path schedules, and ensuring that our technical standards are met from prototype to deployment. We are looking for a systems-thinker who can manage the complexity of deploying new hardware to real-life applications, while fostering a culture of disciplined execution.

Your responsibilities will be

• Create and co-own the project plans and schedule for new features, from inception to deployment in the field.
• Coordinate and trade-off the inputs and needs of the different departments involved in a feature release.
• Coordinate project gates such as acceptance reviews and others.
• Communicate with Flight Operations on the status of feature requests and releases.
• Evolve or streamline the existing processes for hardware development and manufacturing in an aerospace environment, with the ideal balance of agility and rigour.
• Enhance the tooling that supports development processes, configuration management and traceability if needed.
• Lead cross-functional projects with other teams like data engineering, flight operations and product.

Your Skills & Background 

• Experience in project management in engineering environments with real-life tradeoffs.
• 10+ years of experience, of which 2+ in a similar role.
• Hands-on experience with design, manufacturing or test processes in Robotics, Aeronautics, Drones, Auto, IoT, or a similar field containing hardware and embedded software.
• Degree in engineering; aerospace, industrial, mechanical, production, electronics or similar.
• Mission-oriented and focused on accomplishing goals autonomously.
• Willingness to cover different hats  and roles as the company expands.

Location

This is an onsite, full-time role in Barcelona, Spain.

What We Offer

• An exciting startup culture where you will have the opportunity to play a critical role in building and scaling a one-of-a-kind technology and organization.
• You will be part of an enthusiastic, international and motivated team of professionals who are committed to building unique technologies, being rigorous, and finding novel solutions to interesting problems.
• A diverse and inclusive workplace where we welcome people of different backgrounds, experiences and perspectives. 
• A commitment that you will never be bored.

Equal employment opportunity

Near Space Labs is committed to diversity in our organization and building an equitable and inclusive environment for people of all backgrounds and experiences. Near Space Labs provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability or genetics.

At Near Space Labs we design, build and operate a fleet of stratospheric robots to image the earth. We launch our proprietary, balloon-based imaging robots to heights between 40,000 and 60,000 feet. From this vantage point, we capture petabytes of imagery for a variety of use cases. Our mission is to provide high quality, updated imagery that we believe should be accessible to everyone who needs it. By approaching earth imaging from a new vantage point and applying cutting edge methodologies, we drive faster aerospace innovation without tradeoffs.

We are always on the look out for creative, curious, and diverse problem solvers who thrive in organized chaos. If you’re a hardworking innovative thinker who is passionate about pushing boundaries in the aerospace field and contributing to a collaborative environment, then we want to hear from you.

Locations

Brooklyn, NY / US (remote)

Barcelona, Spain / EU nationals or work permit holders

General Skills We Look For:

Not all of this is required

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Data Science, Management Information Systems or a related analytical field.
• Bachelor's degree in Data Analytics, Computer Science, Information Systems, Business Administration, or a related field, or equivalent professional experience.
• 3+ years of experience working with technical hardware, or a BS degree desirable but not essential.
• Experience in an engineering production or maintenance organization.
• A proven track record of 2-5 years in a relevant field, demonstrating expertise and experience.
• Demonstrated experience in managing teams, effectively delegating tasks, and optimizing operational workflows to achieve desired outcomes.
• Exceptional ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously, prioritize tasks effectively, and ensure adherence to strict deadlines.
• A solid background in workflow coordination, efficient task assignment, and the implementation of robust quality assurance processes, preferably within a data-intensive environment.
• Ability to review processing performance metrics, identify trends, and suggest data-informed improvements to existing workflows.
• Familiarity in using workflow management tools such as Airtable or similar platforms for effective task tracking and team collaboration is a plus.
• Geospatial/Remote Sensing Experience (nice to have): Familiarity with aerial imagery, mapping principles, or Geographic Information Systems (GIS) is advantageous but not a prerequisite.

Don't Meet Every Requirement?

Studies have shown that women, marginalized genders, and people of color are less likely to apply to jobs unless they meet every single qualification. At Near Space Labs, we are dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive, and authentic workplace, so if you’re excited about applying but your past experience doesn’t align perfectly with every qualification in the general skills listed, then we encourage you to apply anyways. You may be just the right candidate for this or other roles.

What We Offer

• An exciting startup culture where you will have the opportunity to play a critical role in building and scaling a one-of-a-kind technology and organization.
• You will be part of an enthusiastic, international and motivated team of professionals who are committed to building unique technologies, being rigorous, and finding novel solutions to interesting problems.
• A diverse and inclusive workplace where we welcome people of different backgrounds, experiences and perspectives. 
• A commitment that you will never be bored.
• Medical, dental, and vision coverage.
• Opportunity for equity. 

Equal employment opportunity:

Near Space Labs is committed to diversity in our organization and building an equitable and inclusive environment for people of all backgrounds and experiences. Near Space Labs provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability or genetics.