Program Manager - Launch Platforms
Stratolaunch · Mojave, California, United States ·
- Seniority
- Senior
- Employment
- Contract
- Category
- Project management
- Experience
- 12+ years
- Company size
- 1000+
Program Manager oversees launch platform projects, ensuring on-time, on-budget delivery of hypersonic test aircraft for national security customers. Manages integration, risk mitigation, scheduling, and financial tracking for experimental and certified aircraft programs.
Stratolaunch is a technology accelerator that engineers operationally realistic testing at Mach 5+. Our air-launched, Talon testbeds are reusable, cost-effective platforms that enable routine access to the hypersonic environment. We deliver flight data critical to validating system performance and achieving rapid technology deployment. Together with our customers, we drive innovations that are imperative to advancing national security.
To achieve these efforts, Stratolaunch is seeking a Principal Program Manager – Launch Platforms with 15+ years of experience leading complex aerospace flight‑test, aircraft integration, or mission‑operations programs. This senior role is responsible for overseeing the full portfolio of launch platform activities, including certified and experimental aircraft integration, modification, maintenance, and mission‑readiness operations in support of high‑tempo hypersonic test campaigns.
The ideal candidate has deep flight‑test or aircraft operations experience, strong technical acumen, and demonstrated leadership within highly matrixed environments. The Principal PM will shape launch platform strategy, integrate technical readiness with operational demands, mitigate flight‑test risk, and deliver increased cadence, reliability, and affordability across Stratolaunch’s flight missions.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
Leadership & Launch Platform Strategy
- Serve as the senior program lead responsible for aircraft-level launch platform operations, readiness, and cross-functional integration
- Develop and maintain an integrated launch‑platform roadmap that aligns aircraft technical maturity, flight‑test readiness, mission cadence targets, and customer contractual obligations
- Represent launch‑platform status, risks, and decisions to executive leadership, customers, and major stakeholders
Flight-Test Transition & Operational Execution
- Lead the integration of certified and experimental heavy aircraft for rapid‑pace hypersonic flight‑test operations
- Oversee planning for aircraft modification, maintenance, and mission readiness, integrating actions, risks, dependencies, and technical maturity milestones into a unified program plan
- Develop and manage cross‑functional aircraft resource plans, flight‑test support staffing, and scheduling required to meet mission cadence objectives
- Coordinate Engineering, Operations, Flight Test, and Maintenance teams to ensure consistent, predictable aircraft readiness for all test objectives
- Resolve operational blockers, aircraft availability constraints, technical issues, or flight‑test risks impacting cost, schedule, or mission success
Cost, Schedule & Contract Performance
- Manage aircraft‑level cost, schedule, and technical performance for launch‑platform operations under government and commercial contracts
- Ensure compliance with applicable government contracting and financial‑tracking requirements, including forecasting, cost modeling, and variance analysis
- Drive development and refinement of aircraft operating cost models (fuel, maintenance, crew proficiency flights, spare parts, etc.)
- Lead customer-facing reviews, audits, and contract engagements related to launch‑platform scope, mission cadence adjustments, or technical modifications
Technical Support & Platform Integration
- Partner with engineering and program teams to integrate new technologies onto launch platforms, ensuring configuration management, verification, and readiness for flight
- Support aircraft and crew qualification, maintenance test flights, and mission readiness testing, ensuring all technical requirements are satisfied before execution
- Analyze aircraft reliability data, flight‑test trends, and technical maturity metrics to drive continuous improvement across launch platforms
- Integrate engineering changes, producibility improvements, and operational enhancements into the program plan
Risk Management & Compliance
- Own portfolio‑level flight‑test and aircraft integration risks for certified and experimental launch platforms
- Identify and mitigate risks related to flight operations, integration schedules, technical maturity, aircraft maintenance, and mission readiness
- Ensure compliance with government regulations, export controls, flight‑test safety standards, and contract requirements across launch‑platform activities
- Support classified or sensitive flight‑test operations within secure environments as required
Customer & Stakeholder Engagement
- Serve as the primary point of contact for launch‑platform status on major government and defense programs
- Communicate aircraft readiness, mission and maintenance schedules, technical risks, and operational challenges clearly and proactively to customers and senior leadership
- Support proposal development, mission planning reviews, and technical interchange meetings related to launch‑platform capabilities and test operations
Reporting & Communication
- Provide regular, comprehensive program status reports and executive briefings to the Program Directors, C-suite, and Board of Directors
- Communicate program vision, goals, and progress to internal and external stakeholders
Travel
- Domestic and some international travel as required to support flight‑test operations and customer objectives
Required Qualifications
- Minimum 15 years of progressive experience in aerospace program management, aircraft operations, flight‑test integration, or mission‑execution leadership
- Direct experience working with certified and/or experimental heavy aircraft or complex flight‑test execution
- Strong technical background (engineering degree or equivalent technical experience)
- Demonstrated success leading cross‑functional teams within high‑tempo, technically complex aerospace environments
- Proven ability to deliver cost, schedule, and technical performance under demanding operational conditions
- A strong sense of urgency, with the ability to make tough decisions in a technical environment
- Exceptional facilitation, negotiation, and executive communication skills
- Ability to obtain and maintain a Top Secret security clearance
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience with hypersonic flight‑test operations, aircraft integration, missile systems, or high‑reliability aerospace platforms
- Knowledge of government contracting, EVMS principles, flight cost modeling, or mission operations logistics
- Experience supporting or leading U.S. Government aerospace programs
- Experience establishing new test processes, scaling operations, or developing large-scale aerospace integration plans
- PMP, PgMP, or equivalent aerospace program management certification
Required Computer Skills
- Advanced proficiency in MS Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint)
- MS Project and other advanced project management tools
Education and Experience
- Principal-level ($164,000-$194,400): Bachelor’s degree (B.A. or B.S.) or higher in Engineering, Technical Management and 12+ years relevant program management experience or equivalent combination of education and experience
Special remarks regarding work environment, if applicable
- Supporting flight test often means contributing during off-nominal hours and weekends
- All candidates are expected to be onsite in Mojave >= 80% of normal work days
- Travel estimated to be approximately 15% or less
- This position is located in Mojave, CA
- Relocation eligible to local area
- 9/80 schedule
Base salary and leveling are established on a case-by-case basis. We consider several factors to ensure a competitive offer, including your location, educational background, and a comprehensive assessment of the skills and experience demonstrated during your interviews.
Benefits and our location(s):
- Healthcare (medical, dental, vision, prescription drugs)
- Paid Maternity and Parental Leave
- 50% company match per contributed dollar into 401(k) savings plan, up to $11,500
- Tuition reimbursement
This position may involve the operation of company vehicles as part of assigned duties.
Mojave Air & Spaceport is located just outside of Lancaster/Palmdale and is only 95 miles north of Los Angeles. The area offers both affordability and central access to a variety of California's best attractions and landmarks.
Not much for the outdoors and prefer the city life? You’re within a half day’s drive or less of Los Angeles, San Diego, Las Vegas, and San Francisco where you can find a variety of live entertainment, museums, tours, and historical sight-seeing. Theme parks are in abundance, with Six Flags Magic Mountain, Disneyland, and Knotts Berry Farm ready to meet the needs of rollercoaster thrill seekers.
Food and drink fanatics are in a haven of delectable choices. Wine aficionados will also find easy access to some of the state’s best vino in Paso Robles, Santa Ynez, and even more locally in Tehachapi and Agua Dulce. Beer fanatics will find some of the best West Coast IPAs at Bravery and Lucky Luke’s in Lancaster. Any food option you crave is covered, and we always recommend the authentic and fresh Mexican food that you won’t find anywhere else in the United States.
Stratolaunch is an equal opportunity employer that values diversity at our company. We encourage people from all walks of life to apply, without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, disability or any other characteristic protected by law. Our management team does not tolerate discrimination or harassment at any point during our employees’ and applicants’ time with us, especially with respect to recruitment, hiring, placement, promotion, transfer, training, compensation, benefits, employee activities, and general treatment during employment. For purposes of transparency, U.S. Citizenship may be required for some positions with a government clearance and certain other restricted positions.
Equal Employment Opportunity is the Law :
https://www.dol.gov/ofccp/regs/compliance/posters/pdf/eeopost.pdf