Stratolaunch accelerates the development of next-generation aerospace and defense technologies through reusable hypersonic flight testing. Our autonomous, air-launched Talon-A vehicles provide access to operationally realistic flight environments at speeds exceeding Mach 5, delivering critical data that helps customers validate system performance and advance technologies toward deployment. Our team brings together expertise in engineering, manufacturing, and flight operations to solve complex challenges and advance capabilities essential to national security.
To achieve these efforts, Stratolaunch is seeking a Program Manager – Launch Platforms with 10+ 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 ResponsibilitiesLeadership & 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- Domestic and some international travel as required to support flight‑test operations and customer objectives
- Minimum 10 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
- 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
- Advanced proficiency in MS Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint)
- MS Project and other advanced project management tools
- Staff Program Manager ($134,000-$198,000): Bachelor’s degree (B.A. or B.S.) or higher in Engineering, Business Management/Administration, or related discipline from an accredited institution and 10+ years relevant program management experience or equivalent combination of education and experience
- Principal Program Manager ($164,000-$194,400): Bachelor’s degree (B.A. or B.S.) or higher in Engineering, Technical Management and 15+ years relevant program management experience or equivalent combination of education and experience
- 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
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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
Skills Required
- Knowledge of and experience with certified and experimental heavy aircraft
- Experience with flight or launch vehicle testing, aircraft maintenance, heavy aircraft integration and testing, flight-test scheduling, or cost tracking
- Experience leading engineers, technicians, testers, and customers to deliver flight-ready aircraft
- Experience developing schedules and managing teams toward challenging test goals
- Experience with program financial analysis, variance analysis, and forecasting
- Experience driving risks and issues to closure in a timely manner
- Ability to develop and analyze data and present findings to customers and management
- Strong analytical problem-solving and critical-thinking skills
- Ability to work independently and prioritize tasks according to business goals
- Ability to work under tight deadlines while managing multiple priorities in a dynamic environment
- Ability to obtain a Top Secret security clearance
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 10–20 years of relevant program management experience for staff level or 20+ years for principal level, or equivalent education and experience
- Onsite presence in Mojave for at least 80% of normal workdays
Stratolaunch Compensation & Benefits Highlights
The following summarizes recurring compensation and benefits themes identified from responses generated by popular LLMs to common candidate questions about Stratolaunch and has not been reviewed or approved by Stratolaunch.
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Fair & Transparent Compensation — Fair & Transparent Compensation: Pay is considered competitive for many roles, with posted ranges for engineers and specialized hourly positions that indicate robust bands. Public self-reported packages also point to strong totals for some technical titles.
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Healthcare Strength — Healthcare Strength: Coverage includes multiple PPO/HMO options with HSA/HRA support and employer seeding, plus a monthly health-club reimbursement. These elements indicate comprehensive medical choices accompanied by meaningful wellness perks.
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Retirement Support — Retirement Support: A 401(k) program offers a company match up to an annual cap with a two‑year vesting schedule. This structure stands out as a meaningful long‑term savings benefit.
Stratolaunch Insights
What We Do
Stratolaunch LLC designs, manufactures, and launches aerospace vehicles and technologies to fulfill several important national needs, including the need to significantly advance U.S. hypersonic flight test capabilities and help improve the nation’s ability to design and operate cutting edge hypersonic vehicles. Our hypersonic testbeds will provide customizable, reusable, and affordable access to the Mach 5+ flight regime. We are delivering the world’s premiere hypersonic flight test services.
Why Work With Us
We offer customers the ability to perform risk reduction via affordable and routine flight test for their critical technologies. We offer an operationally realistic environment, enabling us to test in the subsonic, supersonic, and hypersonic flight regimes. With our reusable and low-cost system, customers can rapidly iterate the design of their t
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