Program Manager - Manufacturing, Targets
Stratolaunch · Mojave, California, United States ·
- Seniority
- Senior
- Employment
- Contract
- Category
- Project management
- Experience
- 15+ years
Senior (Principal) Program Manager for Manufacturing at Stratolaunch, leading the transition of hypersonic Talon testbed hardware from prototype development into stable, repeatable production (~50 units/year). Day-to-day work spans manufacturing readiness, rate planning, factory execution, cost/schedule control, and compliance under U.S. government and commercial defense contracts.
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 critical efforts, Stratolaunch is seeking a Principal Program Manager – Manufacturing with 15+ years of experience leading production‑focused aerospace or defense programs. This senior role is responsible for transitioning complex systems from prototype development into stable, repeatable production with an annual target of roughly 50 units per year. The ideal candidate has experience with missile and/or interceptor systems, a strong technical background, and deep familiarity with government contracts, compliance, and production oversight.
A successful candidate will demonstrate leadership within a highly matrixed environment, guiding cross‑functional teams through manufacturing readiness, rate readiness, supply‑chain constraints, and factory execution while ensuring full alignment with program requirements, customer expectations, and operational goals.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
Leadership & Manufacturing Strategy
- Serve as the senior manufacturing program lead for transitioning products from prototype to structured production
- Develop and maintain an integrated manufacturing roadmap with cross-functional collaboration that aligns capacity, readiness, technical maturity, and contract obligations
- Represent manufacturing program status and decisions to executive leadership, customers, and stakeholders
- Mentor program managers, manufacturing engineers, and cross‑functional leads involved in production operations
Production Transition & Execution
- Support Manufacturing readiness reviews and process-capability evaluations by integrating functional readiness inputs, actions, risks, dependencies, and milestones into the program plan
- Oversee build planning, rate readiness planning, and factory sequencing to support production targets of ~50 units/year
- Drive coordination between Engineering, Manufacturing, Supply Chain, Quality, and Test teams to ensure stable, predictable production flow
- Ensure functional plans for configuration management, work instructions, quality gates, and test/acceptance procedures are integrated into the program plan and aligned with production cost, schedule, and delivery commitments
- Resolve factory bottlenecks, supply chain disruptions, and technical blockers impacting cost, schedule, or throughput
Cost, Schedule & Contract Performance
- Manage program cost, schedule, and technical performance for manufacturing execution under government and commercial contracts
- Ensure compliance with EVMS principles, government reporting requirements, and contractual manufacturing obligations
- Drive forecasting, budgeting, and production cost model development for labor, materials, capital equipment, and rate increases
- Lead customer facing manufacturing reviews, audits, and contract negotiations related to scope changes, build rate changes, or production modifications
Technical Support & Integration
- Partner with engineering to incorporate producibility improvements, design for manufacturing changes, and reliability/stability enhancements
- Support qualification, acceptance, and production test campaigns, ensuring manufacturing processes meet technical requirements
- Analyze production data, yield trends, and quality metrics to drive continuous improvement; integrate associated risks, recovery actions, and decisions into the program plan
Risk Management & Compliance
- Identify and mitigate manufacturing risks related to supply chain constraints, rate increases, design immaturity, test availability, or factory resource limitations
- Ensure compliance with government regulations, export controls, quality standards, and contract requirements across production activities
- Support classified or sensitive program execution within secure manufacturing environments, as required
Customer & Stakeholder Engagement
- Serve as the primary point of contact for manufacturing status on major government or defense related programs
- Communicate build progress, delivery schedules, and manufacturing challenges clearly and proactively to customers and senior leadership
Travel
- Domestic travel as required to support program and business objectives
Required Qualifications
- Minimum 15 years of progressive experience in manufacturing program management, production leadership, or aerospace/defense development
- Direct experience transitioning complex hardware from prototype into structured production, ideally at rates of ~50 units/year or similar
- Strong technical background (engineering degree or equivalent technical experience)
- Experience supporting or producing missile systems, weapon systems, or high‑reliability aerospace hardware
- Demonstrated success managing manufacturing scope under U.S. government contracts (DoD, DARPA, AFRL, primes, etc.)
- Proven ability to lead cross‑functional teams within a fast‑paced, technically complex environment
- Ability to obtain and maintain a security clearance
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience with missile systems, hypersonic systems, flight vehicles, or other high‑reliability defense hardware
- Knowledge of EVMS, IPMR/CPR reporting, CDRL compliance, or government production oversight
- Experience scaling production lines, qualifying suppliers, or establishing new manufacturing processes
- PMP, PgMP, Lean/Six Sigma, or equivalent certification
Education and Experience
- Principal-level ($164,000-$194,600): Bachelor’s degree (B.A. or B.S.) or higher in Engineering, Technical Management, or related field and15 years relevant program management experience or equivalent combination of education and experience
Special remarks regarding work environment, if applicable
- This position is located in Mojave, CA
- Relocation eligible to local area
- Travel estimated to be approximately 10% or less
- 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