Program Manager - Manufacturing, Targets

The posting, as Stratolaunch wrote it

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 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

[…]
ned 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