Program Manager - Launch Platforms

Stratolaunch seeks a Program Manager to deliver reliable and successful launch platform projects and flight-ready aircraft capability to our customers. In this role, you will be responsible for meeting schedule, cost, and technical objectives for all launch platform service-center related work. Candidates must have a strong sense of urgency, be dedicated to delivering to our customers, and be motivated to drive cross-functional teams to successfully operate our launch platforms. This role requires creative problem solving to significantly increase hypersonic test cadence while also driving affordability into mission operations. This role will require you to roll up your sleeves and work with a multi-faceted team to deliver for customers in a challenging operational environment.

You will work for the Stratolaunch Program Management department. In this role, you will own the integration of all Stratolaunch launch platform service-center projects. Launch platforms are both certified and experimental aircraft. You will own the cost, schedule, and technical integration of all launch platform activities. This includes managing schedules, planning cross-functional resources and staffing, creating budgets and forecasts, mitigating risks experienced in flight test, and delivering aircraft ready to achieve all test objectives. An optimal candidate will have a strong operational background in flight test execution, with experience modifying and integrating new technologies onto launch platforms. You will be responsible for drastically increasing our launch platform flight cadence, while also driving reliability and affordability initiatives into all launch platform projects. This role requires supporting flight test at all hours of the day and some travel to support global operations. You will work with the Stratolaunch finance and accounting office, operations team, and engineering team.

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES

• Lead the execution and integration of all launch platform service-center projects, delivering on-schedule, on-budget, and with completion of all project objectives.

• Own launch platform risks. Mitigate the flight test risks and drive issues to closure with timely actions to ensure positive results are delivered to our customers.

• Lead the service-center integration of one-off aircraft modification and aircraft maintenance projects.
• Develop schedules and resource plans to complete all elements of launch platform execution.
• Track maintenance and special-project costs over time and analyze variances. Accountable for achieving the launch platform budgets.
• Support and plan for all variable flight costs, including fuel, maintenance, flight crew proficiency flights, etc.
• Drive affordability and efficiency into launch platform execution to increase mission profitability.

• Lead Program Reviews for all launch platforms.
• Serve as a program representative in internal and customer-facing meetings, as required.
• Work with Finance and company leadership to ensure planning and financial tracking processes and procedures meet US Government contracting requirements.
• Develop and drive critical program management launch platform metrics for the program.

• Coordinate and help resolve program financial challenges, as required.
• Support the preparation of business proposals to the US Government and industry.
• Travel, as required, to support launch platform execution.

• Demonstrate honesty, responsibility, integrity, and fulfillment of commitments.

QUALIFICATIONS

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

REQUIRED

• Knowledge of, and experience with, both certified and experimental heavy aircraft.
• Knowledge of, and experience with, one or more of these disciplines: Flight and/or launch vehicle testing, aircraft maintenance, heavy aircraft integration and testing, flight test scheduling and cost tracking.
• Experience leading and working with engineers, technicians, testers, and customers to deliver flight-ready aircraft.
• Experience developing schedules and managing teams who are motivated to achieve challenging test goals.
• Experience with program financial analysis, including variance analysis and developing forecasts.
• Experience with driving risk 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 skills and ability to implement sound critical thinking skills.
• Ability to work on their own initiative and prioritize tasking to fit within the business goals.

• Ability to work under tight deadlines, managing multiple priorities in a dynamic and changing environment.

• Ability to obtain a Top Secret security clearance.

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE

• Staff-level ($134,000-$158,600): Bachelor’s degree (B.A. or B.S.) or higher and 8-12 years relevant program management experience or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Principal-level ($164,000-$194,400): Bachelor’s degree (B.A. or B.S.) or higher and 12+ years relevant program management experience or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Sr. Principal-level ($192,500-$235,000): Bachelor’s degree (B.A. or B.S.) or higher and 15+ 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 10% or less.
• This position is located in Mojave, CA.

Benefits and our location:

• Relocation eligible to local area – Mojave, CA
• 9/80 schedule