Product Manager – Spacecraft Operations

Leanspace is a leading provider of software solutions for satellite and ground segment operations. We build and operate the Leanspace platform, an ecosystem of APIs and data-handling services to run mission-critical systems. Our software supports many space engineering activities, ranging from satellite testing to in-orbit operations.

Our customers are large enterprises, space agencies, armed forces, and innovative newspace startups, running exciting space programs such as Earth observation satellites, satcom constellations, in-orbit services vehicles, orbital platforms, launchers, space cargo, and global ground station networks. We provide them with the data and software ecosystem to test and operate their space assets with unprecedented agility, security, and scalability.

Founded in 2020, Leanspace has quickly become a key player in the global ground segment market, convincing high-profile customers in Europe, the United States, and other regions, as well as securing the support of prestigious investors and governments. The company operates from its HQ in Strasbourg, France, an international, beautiful city at the heart of Europe, rich in culture, nature, and host to the European institutions, as well as from its office in Denver, Colorado, a fast-growing, vibrant hub of space activities in the USA.

We’ve built an international team of 17+ nationalities, the driving force behind our ambitious mission to reshape the satellite ground segment market. We’re looking for driven, ambitious talents to join us and keep pushing the boundaries of space technology!

What we are looking for

Leanspace is a pure product company, building and selling software products across 3 product lines. We are seeking to hire an experienced product manager to lead the Spacecraft Monitoring & Control product line, somebody with a track record in the space industry, specialized knowledge in ground segment and satellite operations, and a strategic, business-oriented mindset.

You will report directly to the CEO and work with him on a daily basis to shape and deliver great products. In this role, you will be instrumental in driving the evolution of our platform and of products built on top. You will define their value propositions, go-to-market strategy, and features by driving the R&D teams to build the right things and by guiding the sales, marketing, and solutions teams to ensure proper market adoption.

The role is based in our HQ in Strasbourg, France. We offer a flexible hours policy, but considering the strategic nature of the role, we expect you to be at the office at least 4 days a week. The role also demands regular business trips to support customer meetings and to attend trade shows (10-20% of your time).

Tasks

• Detect market opportunities and capture user needs by engaging with customers, prospects, partners, and academic experts across the globe

• Shape new initiatives for products/features to address the market needs, and build a compelling case to get them approved

• Run the discovery process through a “trial and error” approach: convince pilot customers, guide the engineering team to build prototypes, gather feedback from users, and iterate quickly!

• Once the product is clear and the market opportunity is proven, run the productization process with the engineering and commercial teams to deliver a stable, delightful, easy-to-sell product

• Prioritize a product roadmap based on the expectations of existing customers, our corporate roadmap, market opportunities, and resource constraints

• Monitor competition and market trends

• Support the commercial team by joining customer meetings to bring your domain expertise to help onboard and grow customers

• Support the marketing team by writing specialized content (use cases, success stories, white papers) relevant to your field of mission operations

• Represent Leanspace online and at industry events (conferences, trade shows), including public speaking opportunities

• Prepare business plans, defining market positioning, customer segmentation, estimating development budgets, supporting pricing strategy, and so ensuring a profitable ROI

• Report financial metrics, resource allocation, and priorities to support our P&L and resource plans

• Support the ExCom to shape the company’s global strategy

Your profile

Mandatory:

• At least a Bachelor’s degree in a relevant engineering field (e.g., aerospace, software)

• At least 5 years of professional experience in the space industry

• Strong understanding of ground segment systems, software engineering and satellite operations

• Business-oriented strategic mindset: You love solving real problems and creating profitable business opportunities, not doing R&D for the sake of R&D

• Ability to communicate effectively with both technical and business stakeholders and to drive teams through negotiation and persuasion, not by power

• Lean, agile approach: you like to start small, build fast, and iterate

• You burn to challenge the status quo, innovate, and come up with new tools and processes

• Fluency in English, written and spoken

Bonus points for:

• Established professional network in the space industry

• Past experience as a product manager or other business roles (e.g. sales, marketing, business management)

• Past exposure to several space domains: you know the difference between managing an IOD, satellite constellations, rocket launches, or lunar rovers

• You like to play strategy games 🙂

Why You Will Love Working With Us

• Play a key role in a fast-growing scaleup and accelerate your career

• Contribute to shaping the future of the space industry directly through your work

• Highly international environment, working with an ultra-talented and close-knit team

• Flexible, family-friendly culture with many social activities and team events

• Opportunities for business travel and visiting exciting space landmarks

• Assistance and financial support with relocation, help with the visa process if needed

• Private health insurance, meal vouchers, subsidies for commuting costs

• Yearly training budget of 2,000€ to invest in your professional development