Commercial Solutions Manager
Sterling, Virginia
Business Development – Civil & Commercial /
Full-time Regular /
Remote
At Kepler Communications, we're not just imagining the future of connectivity - we're leading it!
Our mission is to provide real-time Internet access in space, enabling a new era of data-driven exploration and innovation. With 23 satellites already launched and a next-generation optical network on the way, we’re creating the infrastructure that will power the space economy for decades to come.
Technology is only part of the story. What sets Kepler apart is our team: bold thinkers, skilled builders, and passionate problem-solvers who thrive on pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in space. We believe great ideas come from diverse perspectives, and we’re committed to creating an environment where you can grow, lead, and make a global impact.
If you’re ready to reach higher, move faster, and do work that shapes the future space economy - this is your launchpad. Come build the future with Kepler!
What We Offer:
- Competitive compensation designed to recognize and reward your contributions.
- Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance—including dependents.
- 401(k) and an annual Wellness Allowance.
- Unlimited vacation, supportive parental leave policy, and company-wide holiday shutdown.
- Semi-annual company-wide parties and regular (virtual and team events.
- Relocation packages available for approved roles.
- $1,500 annual professional development fund to support your growth.
- Town Halls, Celebration Calls and Frequent company-wide events to stay connected and engaged.
At Kepler, we’re on a mission to expand connectivity beyond Earth and enable real-time communications for space and terrestrial missions alike. We are seeking a Commercial Solutions Manager who thrives at the intersection of technology, business, and customer engagement to help us deliver on this bold vision.
In this role, you will lead complex programs from opportunity scoping up through transition to delivery team, shaping customer proposals, building cost models, and coordinating cross-functional teams spanning sales, engineering, solutions architecture, and customer success. You’ll act as a technical and commercial bridge translating mission needs into tailored architectures, ensuring proposals are accurate and defensible, and guiding seamless execution from award through implementation.
Key Responsibilities:
- Lead initial program scoping by defining program deliverables, requirements, timelines, risk & dependencies, cost models, and resource needs
- Collaborate with sales, solutions architecture, customer success, and engineering to translate customer needs into technical solutions
- Oversee and contribute to proposal development (especially technical & management volumes), ensuring compliance, accuracy, and alignment with Kepler’s capabilities and commercial terms
- Establish cost models / pricing inputs, working closely with finance and business development, ensuring realism and defensibility
- Maintain the opportunity roadmap from proposal through implementation, coordinating internal stakeholders, tracking milestones, managing risks and issues, and ensuring a seamless hand‑off to delivery and customer success
- Manage opportunity pipeline within CRM to maintain alignment within team and stakeholders
- Serve as a technical liaison in pre‑sales: engage with customers, clarify technical requirements, participate in technical reviews, help tailor solution architectures to customer missions
- Monitor customer success metrics post‑award, ensuring delivery aligns with what was promised, and feeding lessons learned back into proposals and product/solution design
Required Skills & Qualifications:
- Bachelor's degree in engineering, computer science, or closely related technical field or 12+ years of experience in lieu of degree
- 5+ years of experience in program and/or project management in a technical environment (e.g. telecom / space / systems engineering)
- Strong proficiency in scoping, costing, scheduling, risk management, and stakeholder coordination
- Technical background sufficient to understand systems design, propose architectures, read technical requirements, and collaborate with solutions architects / engineers
- Experience in proposal or bid management: understanding RFP requirements, compliance, technical volumes, pricing inputs
- Demonstrated ability to work cross‑functionally and manage ambiguity, with strong communication skills (written + verbal), especially in technical and commercial contexts
- Strong problem‑solving skills, attention to detail, ability to anticipate risks and dependencies
- Comfortable engaging with customers and internal technical leadership; ability to translate between business/mission needs and technical constraints
- Ability to travel 25% both domestically and internationally for conferences, summit and customer meetings, etc.
Bonus Points:
- Master’s degree in engineering, computer science, or closely related technical field
- Familiarity with commercial and government procurement cycles and processes
- Familiarity with contract writing
- Experience working in customer success or post‑award program delivery, ensuring promise → execution alignment
- Exposure to cost modeling tools, financial analysis, or commercial negotiation
- Active US Security Clearance or the ability to obtain
Use of AI in Recruitment
At Kepler Communications, all hiring decisions are made by people. Human recruiters are involved in every step of our recruitment process. We use AI-based tools (such as Lever AI and HireEZ) to assist with the initial review of applications by ranking candidates based on job-relevant criteria. These tools support - but do not replace - human judgment.
Equal Opportunity Employer
Kepler is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to creating a diverse and inclusive work environment. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.
If you require accommodation at any stage of the recruitment process, please contact our People & Culture team at accommodation@kepler.space, and we will work with you to meet your needs.
