Program Manager - Manufacturing, Targets

About this role

Program Manager - Manufacturing, Targets

Mojave, California, United States | Program Management

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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