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 great efforts, Stratolaunch is seeking a Program Director. This visible leadership role is responsible for the successful execution of complex, multi-disciplinary programs, including strategic planning, cross-functional team leadership, and is responsible for all aspects of program delivery and organizational growth. The role spans the design and development, manufacturing, and flight test of a fleet of expendable hypersonic targets. A candidate for this role must be comfortable leading cross-functional teams in a strong matrixed environment, driving the execution of a high-complexity technical project. A strong candidate will have a strong sense of urgency and will be able to make difficult programmatic decisions in an environment where not all the desired information is available.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Leadership

Lead strategic program initiatives and present clear and concise information in executive forums, customer engagements, and internal leadership meetings
Mentor, coach, and develop program managers and team leads across the program

Program Oversight & Execution

Oversee execution of multiple, concurrent programs with full responsibility for cost, schedule, technical performance, and customer satisfaction
Own and maintain a positive customer relationship by producing results
Drive the adoption of advanced program management processes, tools, and best practices
Make high-impact decisions affecting program direction, resource allocation, and risk posture
Lead program forecasting and budgeting activities, ensuring accurate financial planning and alignment with organizational goals
Manage revenue recognition and contract invoicing processes, ensuring compliance with accounting standards and timely billing
Monitor and report on program financial performance, proactively addressing variances and risks

Strategic Planning & Business Growth

Partner with executive leadership and department heads to define long-term program strategies, business plans, and growth opportunities
Lead the development of new business proposals, capture strategies, and customer engagement plans
Identify and pursue opportunities for program expansion, technology insertion, and process improvement

Customer & Stakeholder Engagement

Serve as the primary point of contact for key customers, government agencies, and strategic partners
Negotiate complex contracts, manage high-level customer relationships, and ensure alignment with customer objectives and expectations

Risk, Compliance & Governance

Oversee program risk management, compliance, and governance activities, including classified program execution and security requirements
Proactively manage risk by developing risk mitigation plans and driving technical risks to closure with a high sense of urgency
Ensure adherence to all regulatory, contractual, and quality standards

Organizational Leadership

Foster a culture of innovation, accountability, and continuous improvement
Lead cross-functional teams (engineering, operations, procurement, finance, legal) to ensure seamless program execution
Champion overall team growth and development, including talent acquisition, onboarding, training, and professional advancement
Develop and manage senior-level talent pipelines and succession planning to support long-term organizational objectives
Promote team engagement, collaboration, and high performance through effective communication and recognition programs
Implement organizational development initiatives to enhance team capabilities and drive business results

Reporting & Communication

Provide regular, comprehensive program status reports and executive briefings to the C-suite and Board of Directors
Communicate program vision, goals, and progress to internal and external stakeholders

Travel

Domestic and occasional international travel as-required to support program and company objectives

Required Qualifications

Progressive experience in technical and/or program management, with at least 5 years in a senior or principal-level leadership role within aerospace, defense, or high-technology sectors
A strong sense of urgency, with the ability to make tough decisions in a technical environment
Demonstrated success managing large, complex, multi-disciplinary programs with annual budgets >$100M
Extensive experience in aerospace program management, subcontracts and procurement, personnel management, aircraft systems, aircraft operations, launch vehicle integration, and ground systems
Proven track record of technical leadership, including oversight of subcontractors and prototype/low-rate production
Advanced risk management expertise and experience with classified programs
Exceptional facilitation, negotiation, and executive communication skills
Strong analytical, strategic thinking, and problem-solving abilities
Ability to obtain and maintain a TS (Top Secret) security clearance
Demonstrated ability to lead in a dynamic, fast-paced environment and drive organizational change

Preferred Qualifications

Boost-glide hypersonic vehicle technology and hypersonic vehicle development experience
Experience working directly with government agencies, regulatory bodies, and major defense contractors
Air-launch, launch vehicle, and/or aircraft integration program experience
Large transport category or military aircraft operations experience
PMP, PgMP, or equivalent advanced project/program management certification
Experience with classified program execution and secure environments

Required Computer Skills

Advanced proficiency in MS Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint)
MS Project and other advanced project management tools

Education & Experience

Director, Program Management ($214,000-$250,000): Bachelor’s degree (B.A. or B.S.) or higher in Engineering, Business Management/Administration, or related discipline from an accredited institution and 20+ years relevant program management experience or equivalent combination of education and experience
Sr. Director, Program Management ($252,000-$292,000): Bachelor’s degree (B.A. or B.S.) or higher in Engineering, Business Management/Administration, or related discipline from an accredited institution and 20+ 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

#LI-onsite
#LI-AM1

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

About the company

Stratolaunch designs, manufactures, and launches aerospace vehicles and technologies to meet national needs for reliable, routine access to space and to advance the United States’ ability to design and operate hypersonic vehicles. Its offerings span the full end-to-end process of aerospace programs, from initial design through manufacturing to launch operations. The company differentiates itself by focusing on practical space access and the development of hypersonic capabilities, aiming to support national security and defense needs rather than pursuing consumer or commercial applications. The goal is to provide dependable ways to reach space regularly while pushing forward the nation’s hypersonic design and operational expertise.

Company Size

201-500

Company Stage

N/A

Total Funding

N/A

Headquarters

Mojave, California

Founded

2011

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Simplify's Take

What believers are saying

Stratolaunch completed more than ten Talon-A hypersonic flights by July 2026.
Reuters reported a September 2026 IPO plan targeting up to $500 million.
The new 777 should lift flight-test capacity 35% and widen international reach.

What critics are saying

Stratolaunch depends on Pentagon test budgets and MACH-TB demand staying elevated through 2028.
The 777 modification program runs through 2027, exposing execution slippage and integration risk.
If the IPO stalls, Elliott and Cerberus face a capital-strained, auction-prone company.

What makes Stratolaunch unique

Stratolaunch’s Talon-A is America’s only autonomous, reusable, air-launched hypersonic test platform.
On September 30, 2026, Stratolaunch bought a Boeing 777-200ER for global launch operations.
The February 19, 2026 MACH-TB award locked in $90.8 million across two years.

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Benefits

9/80 schedule
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
Paid Holidays
Unlimited Paid Time Off
Remote Work Options
Hybrid Work Options
Flexible Work Hours
Wellness Program
Mental Health Support

Growth & Insights and Company News

Headcount

6 month growth

14%

1 year growth

14%

2 year growth

14%

ch-aviation

Oct 6th, 2026

US's Stratolaunch Systems acquires B777-200ER.

US's Stratolaunch Systems acquires B777-200ER. * Commercial Aviation Stratolaunch Systems Boeing B747-400, (C) Stratolaunch Systems By Daniel Martinez Garbuno 06Oct2026 Stratolaunch Systems (Mojave) has acquired one B777-200ER, expanding its fleet to support the flight test platform for its Talon-A hypersonic test vehicles. The aircraft, whose serial number and registration were not disclosed, will undergo modifications to enable the launch of its Talon-A test vehicles from its fuselage, with completion expected in 2027. In 2023, the company acquired its first aircraft, a B737-400, N949SL (msn 32745), called The Spirit of Mojave. ch-aviation has reached out to Stratolaunch Systems for confirmation on the identity of the new B777. It was not immediately available. Stratolaunch Systems is developing Talon-A, an autonomous, reusable, air-launched hypersonic flight test platform designed specifically for flight testing, enabling the evaluation of advanced technologies under hypersonic flight conditions. The company's carrier aircraft take Talon-A to altitude before it is air-launched. About Stratolaunch Systems.

MRO Business Today

Oct 4th, 2026

Stratolaunch adds Boeing 777 to hypersonic test aircraft fleet.

Stratolaunch adds Boeing 777 to hypersonic test aircraft fleet. Stratolaunch has acquired a Boeing 777-200ER as it expands its carrier aircraft fleet supporting the company's Talon-A reusable hypersonic flight-test vehicles. The aircraft will be modified to enable Talon-A vehicles to be air-launched from its fuselage, with the work expected to be completed in 2027. The addition gives Stratolaunch a third carrier aircraft alongside its existing Spirit of Mojave and Roc platforms. The Boeing 777 acquisition is aimed at increasing Stratolaunch's flight-test capacity and providing greater flexibility for global hypersonic test operations. The company expects the three-aircraft carrier fleet to increase overall flight capacity by approximately 35%, while supporting parallel missions and reducing scheduling constraints. The modification programme will be a key element of integrating the 777 into Stratolaunch's specialised flight-test infrastructure. The aircraft will effectively serve as a reusable first-stage platform, carrying the autonomous Talon-A vehicle to altitude before its release for hypersonic flight testing. According to Stratolaunch, the air-launch approach provides greater deployment flexibility and allows test vehicles to operate across a wider range of mission profiles compared with conventional ground-launched systems. The acquisition follows a series of recent milestones for the company. Stratolaunch said in July 2026 that it had completed more than 10 successful hypersonic flights with Talon-A. Earlier this year, it also announced a US$90.8 million contract under the MACH-TB programme for air-launched hypersonic capability test vehicles. For MRO and aerospace operations, the 777 programme represents the conversion of a commercial widebody platform into a specialised carrier aircraft, requiring structural and systems modifications to support air-launch operations. Once operational, the aircraft will add capacity to Stratolaunch's growing flight-test and support infrastructure.

Aviation International News

Oct 1st, 2026

Stratolaunch Expands Hypersonic Test Fleet With 777

Stratolaunch expands hypersonic test fleet with 777. Third aircraft set to carry Talon-A hypersonic flight test vehicles to launch altitude October 1, 2026 Stratolaunch has acquired an additional aircraft, a Boeing 777-200ER, to support ongoing missions involving its reusable Talon-A hypersonic flight test vehicle. Alongside the private U.S. aerospace group's existing carrier assets - the Boeing 747-400 'Spirit of Mojave' and purpose-built 'Roc' aircraft - the former airliner will now be converted into an airborne 'mothership' to take Talon-A aloft. Announcing the investment on September 30, Stratolaunch said that the 777 will expand its flight test infrastructure. Modifications to enable the air launch of the autonomous Talon-A vehicles from its fuselage are expected to be completed in 2027. These are to be released at altitude and fly in excess of Mach 5 before returning to land on a standard runway. When operational, Stratolaunch estimates this third member of its fleet of test platforms will boost overall flight capacity by 35%. "As demand for hypersonic technologies continues to grow, we're building the operational scale to make routine hypersonic testing a reality for our customers around the world," Stratolaunch CEO Zachary Krevor said. The company describes its custom-designed Talon-A craft as the only autonomous, reusable, air-launched hypersonic flight test platform in the U.S. According to Stratolaunch, "rather than build an entirely new test vehicle for every mission, customers benefit from a reusable platform that increases testing frequency while helping reduce costs and development timelines." In July, Stratolaunch revealed its pair of Talon-A aircraft had completed more than ten successful hypersonic missions to date. In February 2026, Stratolaunch extended its partnership with the Pentagon's Multi-Service Advanced Capability Hypersonics Test Bed program, originally awarded in September 2025. Under this new award, the company pledged to conduct "multiple air-launched flight tests over a two-year period," supporting U.S. military research objectives.

The Edge Media Group

Sep 10th, 2026

US hypersonic firm Stratolaunch prepares IPO to raise up to US$500 mil - Reuters

US hypersonic firm Stratolaunch prepares IPO to raise up to US$500 mil - Reuters. 10 Sep 2026, 10:12 am Filepix for illustration purpose only. WASHINGTON/MEXICO CITY (Sept 9): Hypersonic flight company Stratolaunch is preparing to launch a US initial public offering (IPO) that could raise up to US$500 million as soon as October, a source familiar with the matter told Reuters on Wednesday. Stratolaunch, backed by Elliott Investment Management and Cerberus Capital Management, is seeking a valuation of about US$2 billion to US$3 billion, the source said, adding that Goldman Sachs and Citigroup are leading the IPO preparations. The private US company could make its filing public as soon as this month, said the source, who spoke on condition of anonymity as he is not authorised to speak to the media. Stratolaunch declined to comment when contacted by Reuters. The company operates the only autonomous, reusable, air-launched hypersonic flight test platform in the United States, which it calls the "Talon-A". It also develops expendable hypersonic targets for missile defence testing and military training, as well as weapons subsystems for defence contractors and government customers, according to its website. Activist investor Elliott took a stake in the company and gained board representation, the Wall Street Journal reported in January. The Pentagon said in May 2025 that Stratolaunch was part of a second successful test of a reusable hypersonic test vehicle, following an earlier test of its Talon-A vehicle in December 2024 that was not publicised. Uploaded by Liza Shireen Koshy

PR Newswire

Jul 30th, 2026

Stratolaunch named to Future Union's inaugural All-World Defense 300 list.

Stratolaunch named to Future Union's inaugural All-World Defense 300 list. Jul 30, 2026, 12:00 ET MOJAVE, Calif., July 30, 2026 /PRNewswire/ - Stratolaunch, a leading pure-play hypersonics company, today announced that it has been named to Future Union's inaugural All-World Defense 300, recognizing the most influential private companies that are shaping the future of defense and global national security. The All-World Defense 300 includes defense companies driving innovation and advancing technologies to strengthen national and allied security. Stratolaunch's inclusion reflects the company's continued momentum as a leading pure-play hypersonics company built to deliver the testing, targets, data and systems the U.S. and its allies need to compete in the next era of aerospace defense. "We're honored to be named to Future Union's inaugural All-World Defense 300 alongside organizations helping define the future of defense," said Zachary Krevor, President and Chief Executive Officer of Stratolaunch. "Hypersonics are a national security necessity, and this recognition reflects the dedication of our entire team and the progress we've made in assisting in the acceleration of U.S. leadership in the space. We are proud to be delivering the hypersonic flight test capabilities that our country and our customers need to accelerate the development of next-generation hypersonic technologies." Within the last year alone, Stratolaunch has achieved significant operational milestones that underscore the company's position at the forefront of hypersonic innovation, including: * The completion of more than 10 hypersonic flights with the reusable, fully autonomous Talon-A aircraft; * The successful execution of a Flight Test Experiment for the U.S. Missile Defense Agency, supporting ongoing hypersonic flight testing; and, * The announcement of a $90.8M contract award under MACH-TB 2.0 Task 3 for air-launched capability test vehicles. Stratolaunch continues to expand its hypersonic flight test capabilities, demonstrating increasing operational cadence and providing customers with repeatable flight opportunities that generate real-world data needed to validate advanced systems. About Stratolaunch Stratolaunch is a leading pure-play hypersonics company focused on the design, manufacture and operation of advanced aerospace systems for national security. The company enables faster, more affordable and more realistic hypersonic development through an autonomous, reusable, air-launched flight test platform and a growing portfolio of hypersonic target and mission-system offerings. For the latest news and information, visit www.stratolaunch.com and follow us on Facebook, X, LinkedIn, and Instagram. SOURCE Stratolaunch

Stratolaunch

Program Director

About the job