Business Manager – Starlab Program

nanoracks logo
Company: Nanoracks
Location: Webster, TX

Nanoracks is a cutting-edge aerospace company focusing on providing commercial access to space, currently on the International Space Station (ISS), suborbital vehicles, expendable launch vehicles, and more! We have sent over 1,000 payloads to the Space Station, kickstarted the CubeSat deployment revolution, and have customers in over 30 nations.

Since 2009, Nanoracks has created and expanded new in-space markets and has been the world leader for ushering in a new era of in-space services. Currently, Nanoracks is working to build commercial space stations (“Outposts”) from the spent upper stages of launch vehicles in orbit. This technology will enable spent upper stages to be used as crewed and un-crewed space stations for various purposes and customers—both civil and commercial.

Nanoracks will provide and facilitate an ecosystem of interoperable technologies and distributed free flying space stations. You can read our approach here.

Nanoracks is building the first free-flying commercial low-Earth orbit space station, called Starlab. Starlab is a continuously crewed, free-flying, multifunctional space station dedicated to conducting advanced research, fostering industrial activity, and ensuring continued U.S. presence and leadership in low-Earth Orbit. Starlab will feature one third of the volume and all the payload capability of the International Space Station, making it the most significant fully commercial endeavor in space in history.

Starlab will also host the George Washington Carver Science Park, the first in-space science park, and meet existing, and growing demand for commercial space activities. Starlab will launch on a single flight, targeted for 2027, completely outfitted with GWC Science Park hardware and will be fully functional immediately following spacecraft commissioning.

About the Position:

Nanoracks is looking for a highly experienced Business Manager to focus on leading the team in managing program contracts and subcontracts, financial status, program control functions, configuration management including document control, schedule, and risk management database. This individual will be thoroughly organized, able to communicate status and program business needs clearly in both written and verbal form, and have exceptional command of all program contracts, supply chain requirements, and finances.

An ideal candidate possesses extensive accounting experience, is comfortable with extremely complex, multi-million dollar budgets, and seeks out required program information from multiple program participants and subcontractors independently and with minimal guidance from leadership. The candidate should be extremely knowledgeable about commercial and government contracting functions, structures, and negotiation.

Roles and Responsibilities:

  • Responsible for managing Starlab resources, schedule, configuration management, document control, and risk management databases
  • Responsible for program cost control, conducts analysis of KPIs and control milestones, manages different pools of financial resources
  • Oversees Starlab contract and subcontracts development and management
  • Assist in program planning, analysis and development activities
  • Resolve program performance issues and develop program recovery plans with the Program Manager and the Lead Systems Engineer (LSE)
  • Prepares and presents budgets and control expenses within the budgets, derives and tracks metrics, builds cost and schedule baselines and manages to the baseline
  • Reports on program performance to NR and Voyager management
  • Manages documents baseline and provides data control activities
  • Manages Program Configuration and Change Control processes
  • Provides support in conducting periodic audits and generate audit reports for Managers. Communicates program progress to Program Manager on a regular basis
  • Identifies and resolve problems and keep management informed about any financial and schedule issues
  • Tracks expenses, charges, identify cost variances and provide corrective action recommendations
  • Works in compliance with company policies and regulations
  • Develops process improvements to achieve program objectives
  • Monitor and maintain metrics on Starlab program progress throughout all program lifecycle phases

 

Key Attributes/Qualifications:

  • 10+ years of program experience (aerospace industry experience preferred)
  • Significant experience in contract development and management
  • Experience working with government and major aerospace companies
  • Understanding of United States export control laws and regulations
  • Experience in successfully managing large firm fixed-price aerospace contracts and metrics
  • US Citizen
  • Strong oral and written communication skills for both technical and non-technical audiences
  • Ability to travel as necessary both domestic and foreign
  • Must work flexible schedule (to include weekends and/or holidays) as needed
  • Bachelor’s degree or higher in finance, business management or engineering from an accredited university
  • Ability to travel as necessary both domestic and foreign

Compensation:

Competitive with industry standard.