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Canopy Aerospace & Defense

Develops thermal protection systems for spacecraft

Technical Program Manager

Full-TimeUpdated on 10/23/2026
$100k - $160k+ Discretionary bonuses + 401(k) company match
Senior
Bachelor's, Master's, PhD
Littleton, CO, USA
In PersonFull-time on-site in Littleton, Colorado; travel up to 15%.
Project & Program ManagementProgram Management
No H1B Sponsorship
US Citizenship Required

About the job

Requirements
  • Ability to obtain a U.S. security clearance at the Secret level or higher, including meeting background-check and other requirements for access to controlled defense-related information and facilities.
  • Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or a related technical field, or equivalent industry experience working on cross-functional engineering teams.
  • At least five years of experience in technical program management or a similar role with a high degree of technical ownership, preferably in aerospace, defense, or advanced materials industries.
  • Experience managing and executing programs involving launch vehicles, missile systems, thermal protection systems, thermal design, and/or composite materials.
  • A proven leadership track record managing and owning complex, multidisciplinary engineering products or systems from concept through delivery.
  • Demonstrated ability to lead joint programs across internal departments and external partners or customers.
  • Experience and comfort working in computer-aided design (CAD) to support engineering collaboration.
  • A strong technical background with direct experience in thermal control systems, vibration isolation materials or subsystems, and/or radar absorption materials or subsystems, and the ability to understand and communicate complex engineering concepts.
  • Experience with risk management, milestone and performance indicator tracking, and project-planning tools such as Microsoft Project, Jira, Confluence, or Smartsheet.
  • Ability to develop long-form technical reports and executive-level presentations.
  • Professional working proficiency in reading, writing, and speaking English.
  • Ability to work in office, laboratory, and manufacturing environments with occasional exposure to noise, chemicals, dust, industrial equipment, and temperature variations.
  • Ability to sit or stand for extended periods at a computer workstation, use hands and fingers for data entry, keyboarding, and mouse use, and view computer screens for prolonged periods.
  • Ability to communicate effectively in person, by phone, and via email, and to use a computer to complete assignments.
  • Willingness to work long hours and weekends when needed to meet critical deadlines.
  • Willingness to travel to other company sites as needed.
  • For export-control eligibility, applicants must be U.S. citizens, lawful permanent residents, protected individuals as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain the required U.S. Department of State authorizations.
Responsibilities
  • Align cross-functional teams, including engineering, manufacturing, quality, and supply chain, on program goals, timelines, and deliverables to ensure execution from concept through production.
  • Serve as the primary technical liaison for customers, translating feedback into actionable engineering tasks and ensuring alignment with program objectives and requirements.
  • Represent technical content clearly to internal stakeholders and external partners, including customers, suppliers, and sister companies.
  • Support proposal and business-capture efforts for new and existing customers by defining requirements, performing feasibility studies, developing technical scope and budgets, drafting and presenting written proposals to internal and external leadership, and managing the early-stage transition from acquisition to kickoff.
  • Coordinate joint development efforts across affiliated companies and business units, ensuring shared milestones, resources, and deliverables are met.
  • Support technical execution across engineering and manufacturing as needed to meet program objectives and timelines.
  • Identify, assess, and mitigate program risks early, implementing contingency plans to maintain schedule and technical performance.
  • Track program progress using project-management tools, maintaining visibility on key milestones, budgets, and resource allocation.
  • Prepare dashboards, key performance indicators, and performance metrics for internal leadership and customer review to communicate program health and status.
  • Facilitate timely, informed decision-making by providing data-driven insights, technical context, and clear trade-off analyses to leadership and engineering teams.
  • Support development and qualification of the company’s thermal protection materials and other product-development initiatives across affiliated partners.
  • Travel to customer sites, test facilities, and partner locations as needed to support program execution and integration activities.
Desired Qualifications
  • Direct experience with aerospace thermal protection systems, ablatives, high-temperature composites, ceramic matrix composites, or advanced coating systems.
  • Familiarity with government contracting environments as a prime or subcontractor, including Federal Acquisition Regulation and Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement processes.
  • An active U.S. security clearance at the Secret level or higher.
  • A graduate-level technical degree, such as an M.S. or PhD in a science or engineering discipline.
  • Familiarity with defense, aerospace, and space standards such as MIL-STD-810, RTCA/DO-160, SMS-S-016, or similar standards.
  • Project Management Professional certification or similar project-management certification.
  • Experience with qualification and development testing, as well as production-testing environments.
  • Background in customer-facing roles or business development in a technical environment.
  • Hands-on experience working with advanced metallic and non-metallic materials, including superalloys, ceramics, composites, or elastomers.

About the company

C

Canopy Aerospace & Defense

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Canopy Aerospace & Defense designs, prototypes, and manufactures thermal protection systems for space and hypersonic vehicles. Their heat shields and insulation protect spacecraft from extreme temperatures during flight, with materials tested in real flight conditions to ensure reliability. The company leverages NASA-backed research, real-flight testing, and a focus on reuse and cost efficiency to stand out in a growing NewSpace market. Its goal is to meet rising demand from commercial and government space programs by delivering dependable thermal protection that improves safety and mission economics.

Company Size

11-50

Company Stage

Grant

Total Funding

$6.6M

Headquarters

Denver, Colorado

Founded

2021

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Simplify Jobs

Simplify's Take

What believers are saying

  • September 2026 Aviotec expands Canopy into satellite supply chains across European programs.
  • Late-2026 Smart TPS flight testing creates a near-term commercialization catalyst.
  • 2024-2026 Air Force and NASA awards validate Canopy's thermal protection technology and customer demand.

What critics are saying

  • Canopy still depends on government-sponsored R&D; production revenue trails validation milestones through late 2026.
  • Integrating Aviotec, Tods, and U.S. plants risks execution slippage across Europe and America.
  • Lockheed, Northrop, RTX, and Leidos dominate hypersonics; Canopy loses if qualification stalls.

What makes Canopy Aerospace & Defense unique

  • Canopy pairs transpiration-cooled TPS with robotics, 3D ceramics, and embedded sensor integration.
  • September 1, 2026 Aviotec acquisition adds European MLI blankets and harnesses capabilities.
  • April 2026 AS9100 QMS readiness supports high-temperature materials manufacturing and defense qualification.

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Benefits

  • Health Insurance
  • Dental Insurance
  • Vision Insurance
  • Retirement plan participation (eligibility required)
  • Paid Sick Leave
  • Paid Vacation
  • Paid holidays
  • Discretionary bonuses

Growth & Insights and Company News

6 month growth

-6%

1 year growth

-12%

2 year growth

0%
Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP
Sep 2nd, 2026
Willkie advises Canopy Aerospace & Defense on acquisition of Aviotec S.r.l. in italy.

Willkie advises Canopy Aerospace & Defense on acquisition of Aviotec S.r.l. in italy. News. September 2, 2026 Willkie represented Canopy Aerospace & Defense, a portfolio company of Trive Capital, in its acquisition of Aviotec S.r.l., an Italian-based supplier of multi-layer insulation (MLI) blankets and electrical harnesses for satellites and spacecraft. Aviotec provides in-house design, analysis, manufacturing, and integration capabilities for institutional and commercial space programs across Europe. Willkie previously advised Canopy Aerospace & Defense on its acquisitions of Hera Technologies, M.S.M. Industries, Canopy Aerospace, and Tods Defence. Trive Capital is a private equity firm based in Dallas, Texas, with more than $8 billion of regulatory assets under management. The Willkie team was led by partner Chase Proctor and associate Bilal Sheriff and included partner Alaric Green.

PR Newswire
Sep 1st, 2026
TRIVE CAPITAL'S CANOPY AEROSPACE & DEFENSE ACQUIRES AVIOTEC, EXTENDING VALUE CREATION ACROSS THE SATELLITE SUPPLY CHAIN

/PRNewswire/ -- Canopy Aerospace & Defense ("Canopy A&D"), a portfolio company of Trive Capital, today announced the acquisition of Aviotec S.r.l. ("Aviotec"),...

Citybiz
Nov 4th, 2025
Canopy Aerospace & Defense Acquires Tods Technology

Canopy Aerospace & Defense, a portfolio company of Trive Capital, is excited to announce the acquisition of Tods Technology Ltd.,... Read More

PR Newswire
Nov 4th, 2025
Canopy Aerospace & Defense Acquires Tods Technology, Expanding Global Footprint in Advanced Composites and Acoustic Materials in the Maritime Domain

Canopy Aerospace & Defense acquires Tods Technology, expanding global footprint in advanced composites and acoustic materials in the maritime domain. News provided by. DALLAS and PORTLAND, Dorset, United Kingdom, Nov. 4, 2025 /PRNewswire/ - Canopy Aerospace & Defense ("Canopy A&D"), a portfolio company of Trive Capital, is excited to announce the acquisition of Tods Technology Ltd. ("Tods"), a UK-based designer and manufacturer of advanced composite structures and acoustic materials serving the maritime defense industrial base. The addition of Tods represents a significant expansion of Canopy A&D's global footprint and technical capabilities. Tods brings decades of proven expertise in structural composites, sonar domes, acoustic enclosures, and signature-management materials for both surface and subsurface vessels. Dr. Marco Villa, Canopy A&D CEO commented: "Tods' reputation and commitment to their customers' missions are world-class and deeply aligned with our values. Their longstanding partnerships with the Royal Navy and over 25 Navies worldwide expand Canopy A&D's global presence, supporting critical allied defense programs and strengthening supply-chain resilience between the United States and the United Kingdom. We are committed to building on their legacy by investing in infrastructure, equipment, and people to create an immediate synergy we cannot wait to exploit." The acquisition enhances Canopy A&D's ability to deliver advanced materials and engineered solutions across the full lifecycle of maritime defense programs, from design and development through qualification, production, and sustainment. By integrating Tods' composite and acoustic expertise with Canopy A&D's broader materials and manufacturing capabilities, the company strengthens its position as a leading partner to the global maritime defense industrial base - accelerating shipbuilding schedules and advancing mission-critical platform performance. About Tods Technology Tods Technology, based in Portland, Dorset, UK, is a leading designer and manufacturer of advanced composite structures and acoustic materials for naval and aerospace applications. The company's capabilities include the design, testing, and production of sonar domes, acoustic windows, and structural composites for submarine and surface-ship platforms, supported by global through-life services including in-yard installation, maintenance, and repair. About Canopy Aerospace & Defense Canopy Aerospace & Defense manufactures and delivers highly specialized materials with exceptional insulative, absorptive, and signal reducing characteristics to the space and defense markets. The Company assists OEMs from the initial design phase with R&D material and system engineering services to turnkey manufacturing through refurbishment services on reusable platforms. With deep domain expertise and responsive manufacturing, Canopy A&D acts as a seamless "Built-In" extension of its partners, filling critical gaps across long manufacturing chains. The company operates facilities in Los Angeles, Denver, Cape Canaveral, and the United Kingdom. About Trive Capital Trive Capital is a Dallas, Texas based private equity firm with more than $8 billion of regulatory assets under management. Trive focuses on investing equity and debt in what it sees as strategically viable middle-market companies with the potential for transformational upside through operational improvement. SOURCE Canopy A&D

Space.com
May 11th, 2025
How do you keep reusable spacecraft cool during reentry? Make them 'sweat'

A research team from Texas A&M University has partnered with Canopy Aerospace to develop and test a 3D-printed material that releases or "sweats" a coolant gas to protect spacecraft from the intense heat encountered when travelling back to Earth at high speeds.