Program Manager (m/w/d) - New Space

WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR

About Us

We are pioneering the future of satellite intelligence and defense. Backed by Rheinmetall’s proven defense expertise and ICEYE’s radar satellite innovation, our joint venture has the ambition of delivering one of the world's largest earth observation satellite constellations to defend Germany.

Our mission? Empower Europe’s security and defense with sovereign, persistent, and accurate space-based intelligence under any condition.

Join us to shape one of Europe’s most significant high-tech projects and make a real impact on defense and security for tomorrow.

RISS key competences

We believe that top-tier talent deserves to work alongside equally ambitious peers. To maintain an environment of constant inspiration and boundary-pushing, we place as much value on your mindset as we do on your resume, specifically evaluating the following:

• Intellectual Firepower & Growth Mindset: Demonstrates intellectual agility and curiosity; rapidly comprehends complex information, connects ideas across domains, and continuously seeks to learn and improve.
• Passion & Work Ethic: Brings sustained motivation, resilience, and high personal standards to every challenge; maintains energy and drive under pressure.
• Ownership & Action: Assumes full accountability for results, acts decisively, and drives initiatives from idea to implementation; takes bold action rather than waiting for permission.
• Team Player: Works as part of a united team, engages constructively across functions and partners, and drives shared outcomes with humility and candor.
• Adaptability & Resilience: Operates effectively in ambiguity, maintains composure under stress, and adjusts quickly to change while learning from setbacks and sustaining forward momentum.

WHAT QUALIFICATIONS YOU SHOULD HAVE

The Mission of the Program Manager

To ensure disciplined, compliant, and reliable execution of a complex sovereign space program.

The role is central to keeping a highly complex, multi-stakeholder program running smoothly. You will own the day-to-day program management engine: processes, documentation, reviews, and cross-partner coordination. You will bring structure where little exists today, balancing rigor and bureaucracy with the realities of a fast-moving New Space environment.

Expected Outcomes

Within this role, success means:

• Deliver assigned customer programmes to contract baseline (scope, budget,
  schedule) with agreed performance metrics achieved within 9-18 months of programme start.

• Establish a single, authoritative programme operating model (schedule, risks,
  dependencies, reporting cadence) within the first 60 days, adopted by all contributing teams.
• Achieve customer operational readiness for each programme, including formal
  acceptance, training delivery, and documentation within agreed timelines.
• Proactively identify and resolve programme risks -with mitigation plans in place and shared with stakeholders within 48 hours of risk escalation.
• Drive cross‑functional alignment so that all engineering, operations, and product
  workstreams execute to unified priorities, with no critical path dependencies left
  unmanaged.

Qualifications

Minimum

• 5+ years’ experience as a Program Manager, Project Manager, IPT Lead, Consultant or equivalent.
• Demonstrated track record of end‑to‑end programme delivery in complex technical environments.
• Proficiency with project/program management tools and software.
• Strong ability to integrate engineering, operations, procurement, software, and
  commercial workstreams.
• Excellent interpersonal, communication, and negotiation skills.
• Ability to establish and maintain scope, cost, and schedule baselines.
  Bachelor’s degree in engineering, business, or a related technical field.

Bonus / Preferred

• Experience with EO, SAR, space systems, or new‑space organisations.
• Experience working with government customers or defence organisations.
• Background in remote sensing programmes or mission operations.
• Experience in fast‑paced startup/scale-up environments.
• Eligibility for relevant security clearances.

Role-Specific Competences

• Programme/Project Leadership : Ability to plan, baseline, and execute
  multi‑disciplinary technical programmes involving engineering, operations, and
  customer interfaces.
• Systems & Technical Understanding: Familiarity with space systems, EO, SAR, or complex hardware/software delivery environments.
• Risk & Change Management: Able to manage contract changes, risk registers,
  mitigations, and stakeholder communication with discipline.
• Customer & Stakeholder Engagement: Skill in representing programme status to internal leadership and external customers with clarity and authority.
• Operational Excellence: Ability to design and run repeatable programme governance (cadence, reviews, documentation, baselines).

Your strengths and experience count at Rheinmetall, even if you may not meet all of the listed requirements. We look forward to receiving applications from candidates (m/f/d) who are keen to make a difference and take on responsibility. We value individuality and equal opportunities. Severely disabled applicants (m/f/d) will be given special consideration if they are equally qualified.

WHAT WE OFFER YOU

• The opportunity to help shape a national sovereign space capability.
• A role that directly impacts Europe's security and defense architecture.
• Competitive compensation with strong development and learning opportunities.
• A supportive, diverse, and mission-oriented environment.
• Company health benefits, accident insurance, and an annual professional development budget.
• Relocation assistance and access to training, conferences, and certification programs.
• Modern offices with areas for collaboration and focused work.

Apply now and start your journey with RISS!

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

At RISS, we believe that diversity fosters innovation and strengthens us as an organization. We create a work environment where different perspectives and talents are not only welcome but valued.

CONTACT INFORMATION

Contact Person: Aytac Cakar