Full-Time

Launch & Targets Program Management Specialist

Deadline 8/25/27
Akima

Akima

1,001-5,000 employees

Federal contractor delivering facilities, IT, logistics

Compensation Overview

$108k - $142k/yr

No H1B Sponsorship

Albuquerque, NM, USA

In Person

Approximately 25% travel required.

US Top Secret Clearance Required

Bachelor's, Master's

Category
Project & Program Management (1)
Required Skills
Risk Management

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Requirements
  • At least five years of space-related experience in program management, acquisition support, or engineering.
  • Experience with orbital and suborbital space launch systems and services.
  • Experience supporting acquisition, program management, engineering, or mission integration activities associated with space launch systems and services.
  • Ability to work collaboratively with government and industry professionals.
  • Bachelor's degree in engineering, physical science, mathematics, business, acquisition management, or a related field.
  • Excellent technical writing skills and the ability to communicate ideas, recommendations, and solutions to government and military customers.
  • Active Department of Defense Secret clearance.
  • Prior United States Air Force or United States Space Force 63A Acquisition Program Management experience supporting space, launch, missile, or developmental acquisition programs.
  • Experience supporting Space Systems Command launch programs, launch service acquisitions, mission integration activities, or national security space missions.
  • Experience supporting acquisition strategy development, contract execution, source selections, task orders, launch service procurements, or program execution activities.
  • Active Department of Defense Top Secret clearance with Sensitive Compartmented Information eligibility.
  • Project Management Professional, Defense Acquisition Workforce Improvement Act/Back-to-Basics Program Management Practitioner or Advanced, Acquisition Professional Development Program Level II/III, or equivalent acquisition certification.
  • Systems engineering or integration experience.
  • Aerospace test and evaluation experience.
  • United States Air Force or United States Space Force operational experience.
  • Familiarity with the Comprehensive Cost and Requirement System.
  • Experience with intercontinental ballistic missile-type systems.
  • Master's degree in engineering, physical science, mathematics, business, acquisition management, or a related field.
Responsibilities
  • Provide program management and acquisition support for Rocket Systems Launch Program launch service contracts, including technical oversight, risk management, mission integration, and contractor performance assessment.
  • Schedule, facilitate, and support integrated product team meetings, program management reviews, technical interchange meetings, and other collaborative efforts.
  • Develop, update, and manage schedules, contract requirements, action items, meeting minutes, and presentation materials while ensuring adherence to national, Department of Defense, and United States Space Force policies.
  • Track mission hardware and software development, identify potential risks, and analyze technical and schedule concerns.
  • Assist with launch preparation activities, including facility support, crew training, and readiness reviews.
  • Evaluate ongoing and planned acquisition activities, identify risks, and provide recommendations for risk mitigation strategies.
  • Support coordination among government stakeholders, launch service providers, mission customers, and technical authorities to ensure mission success.
  • Support mission integration activities involving launch vehicle, payload, range, safety, and mission assurance coordination.
  • Support space launch systems and services for commercial and deactivated Minuteman and Peacekeeper assets.
  • Contribute to space-related program management and engineering activities, including strategy development, proposal reviews, and mission execution support.
  • Coordinate acquisition, systems engineering, launch execution, mission assurance, and stakeholder activities across multiple launch efforts.
  • Support mission customers throughout acquisition planning, mission integration, launch preparation, and mission execution activities.

Akima provides services to the U.S. federal government across facilities, IT, logistics, protective services, systems engineering, mission support, FF&E, and construction. It delivers contracted, integrated services to help government missions succeed. As a subsidiary of NANA, an Alaska Native Corporation, Akima aims to create long-term value for its parent while achieving superior outcomes for customers, guided by Iñupiat values. Its differentiators include Alaska Native ownership, a broad multi-domain service footprint, and a focus on federal missions; its goal is to support customer missions and sustain value for NANA and the Iñupiat community.

Company Size

1,001-5,000

Company Stage

N/A

Total Funding

N/A

Headquarters

Colorado Springs, Colorado

Founded

1995

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Simplify Jobs

Simplify's Take

What believers are saying

  • Akima subsidiaries won MDA SHIELD positions on March 16, 2026.
  • Akima Data Management won FDA DevSecOps support worth $4.6 million in April 2026.
  • Akima’s 2025 Washington Technology rank improved to 31, signaling stronger scale.

What critics are saying

  • Akima faces dependence on federal spending and procurement timing across U.S. agencies.
  • Arevalo v. Akima, LLC reached the Fourth Circuit in July 2026.
  • Pinnacle Solutions' GSA schedule ends August 8, 2026, threatening recompete disruption.

What makes Akima unique

  • NANA-owned Alaska Native Corporation status helps Akima win set-aside federal work.
  • Akima spans facilities, IT, logistics, protective services, systems engineering, and construction.
  • Pinnacle Solutions adds Air Force training and sustainment depth after April 2023 acquisition.

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Benefits

401(k) Retirement Plan

401(k) Company Match

Company News

PR Newswire
Feb 19th, 2026
Akima appoints Lauren Cates as VP of business development for Emerging Markets Group

Akima, a federal government solutions provider, has appointed Lauren Cates as vice president of business development for its Emerging Markets Group. Cates will lead growth strategy and expand the company's presence in delivering mission-critical technologies to government and military customers. Cates brings over 15 years of federal contracting experience. She previously led Indigo IT's growth team, securing major contracts in cybersecurity, cloud and enterprise IT services, and spent more than a decade with Bowhead Family of Companies managing billion-dollar pipelines. Akima, a subsidiary of Alaska Native Corporation NANA, employs over 11,000 people and delivers solutions across IT, logistics, aerospace and construction. The company ranked #31 on Washington Technology's 2025 Top 100 government contractors list.

PR Newswire
Feb 12th, 2026
Akima appoints Marcus Lopez as chief operating officer to drive operational excellence

Akima, a federal government contractor, has appointed Marcus Lopez as chief operating officer. Lopez will report to president and CEO Bill Monet and oversee operational excellence and customer delivery. Lopez brings over 30 years of experience in government and commercial sectors. Most recently, he served as president and chief growth officer at Belcan, a Cognizant company, where he led the integration of a $20 billion enterprise. Previously, he headed ManTech's Advanced Research Technology Business Unit. A former US Navy officer and pilot, Lopez commanded an elite strike/fighter squadron. Akima is a subsidiary of NANA, an Alaska Native Corporation, employing 11,000 people and delivering solutions in IT, aerospace, construction and other areas. The company ranked 31st on Washington Technology's 2025 Top 100 government contractors list.

WashingtonExec
Apr 12th, 2023
Akima Buys Pinnacle Solutions | WashingtonExec

Akima has entered into a definitive agreement to buy Pinnacle Solutions, Inc., a provider of training and sustainment products and services to defense