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Canopy Aerospace & Defense

Develops thermal protection systems for spacecraft

Technical Program Manager

Program ManagementConfirmed live in the last 24 hours
Full-timeLittleton, CO, USA

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

Canopy Aerospace & Defense

Develops thermal protection systems for spacecraft

Canopy Aerospace & Defense develops and produces thermal protection systems for space and hypersonic vehicles. Its products shield spacecraft and reentry capsules from extreme heat by using high-temperature insulating materials and protective barriers designed for reuse and quick turnaround. The company differentiates itself through NASA-backed research, verified real-flight testing, and an emphasis on reusable, cost-efficient solutions for a growing NewSpace market. Its goal is to provide dependable protection that enhances safety, mission success, and overall mission economics for commercial and government space programs.

Company size
11-50
Company stage
Grant
Total funding
$6.6M
Headquarters
Denver, CO
Founded
2021

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