Principal Program Manager

Stratolaunch- Huntsville; Huntsville (AL); On-site; USD 149,000 - 214,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid Maternity and Parental Leave

401(k) company match up to $11,500

Job summary

STRATOLAUNCH HUNTSVILLE is seeking a Principal Program Manager to lead the final assembly, integration, and testing of a supersonic missile system. You will direct rate production across manufacturing, integration, and testing, ensuring schedule, budget, and technical goals are met.

You will manage a cross-functional team, coordinate with prime customers and government partners, and drive best practices in program management and risk control in a dynamic, security-conscious environment.

Qualifications

• Experience in senior- or principal-level program management within aerospace/defense/high-tech sectors.
• Experience manufacturing missile systems at rate production and managing large, multidisciplinary programs.
• Strong leadership, decision-making, and executive communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Act as the Program Manager and single POC to the prime organization.
• Lead cross-functional teams across manufacturing, integration, and testing of a new missile system.
• Oversee cost, schedule, technical performance, risk management, and customer satisfaction.

Skills

Program management

Cross-functional leadership

Aerospace industry experience

Budgeting and cost control

Risk management

Contract negotiation

Education

Bachelor’s degree or higher

Tools

MS Project

MS Office

Job description

Principal Program Manager- Advanced Flight Systems Production

STRATOLAUNCH HUNTSVILLEHelp build the next chapter of hypersonic flight.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 Principal Program Manager - Advanced Flight Systems Production with relevant experience to lead the final assembly, integration, and testing of a supersonic missile system. The role spans the manufacturing and testing of missile subsystems at rate production. A candidate for this role must be comfortable leading cross‑functional teams in a strong matrixed environment and driving the execution and optimization of a production system. A strong candidate will have missile system integration and manufacturing production experience.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Leadership

Act as the Program Manager, representing Stratolaunch as the singular point of contact (POC) to the prime organization.

Lead a cross‑functional team spanning the manufacturing, integration, and functional testing of a new missile system.

Drive the team to meet schedule and budget goals while also achieving all technical requirements.

Program Oversight & Execution

Oversee the execution of multiple projects with full responsibility for cost, schedule, technical performance, risk management, and customer satisfaction.

Make high‑impact decisions affecting program direction, resource allocation, and cost performance.

Lead program forecasting and budgeting activities, ensuring accurate financial planning and alignment with organizational goals.

Drive the adoption of advanced program management processes, tools, and best practices.

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.

Serve as the primary point of contact for the prime customer, 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.

Ensure adherence to all regulatory, contractual, and quality standards.

Organizational Leadership

Foster a culture of innovation, accountability, and continuous improvement.

Lead cross‑functional teams, including supply chain, manufacturing, finance, and legal, to ensure seamless program execution.

Champion overall team growth and development, including talent acquisition, onboarding, training, and professional advancement, where applicable.

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 company leadership.

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.

Qualifications

Required:

Experience in technical and/or program management roles, with at least 5 years in a senior- or principal-level leadership role within the aerospace, defense, or high-technology sectors.

A strong sense of urgency, with the ability to make tough decisions in a technical environment.

Experience manufacturing operational missile systems at rate production.

Demonstrated success managing large, complex, multidisciplinary programs.

Extensive experience in aerospace program management, subcontracts and procurement, supply chain management, missile system production, and personnel management.

Proven track record of program leadership, including oversight of subcontractors and experience transitioning from prototype to 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.

Willingness and 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.

Experience working directly with government agencies, regulatory bodies, and major defense contractors.

Preferred:

PMP, PgMP, or equivalent advanced project/program management certification.

Experience with classified program execution and secure environments.

Supersonic missile system production, integration, and testing experience.

Active security clearance.

Required Computer Skills:

Advanced proficiency in MS Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint).

MS Project and other advanced project management tools.

Education & Experience

Principal-level ($149,000–$177,000): Bachelor’s degree (B.A. or B.S.) or higher and 12+ years of relevant program management experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Sr. Principal-level ($174,500–$214,000): Bachelor’s degree (B.A. or B.S.) or higher and 15+ years of relevant program management experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

This position and any resulting offer of employment may be contingent upon the timing and receipt of a related contract award.

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) :

• Paid Maternity and Parental Leave
• 50% company match per contributed dollar into 401(k) savings plan, up to $11,500

This position may involve the operation of company vehicles as part of assigned duties.

Huntsville, Alabama, known as the Rocket City, combines a thriving aerospace and defense community with the affordability, outdoor access, and quality of life with the Tennessee Valley. Home to Redstone Arsenal, NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center, and one of the nation’s largest concentrations of aerospace, defense, and technology organizations, Huntsville has played a major role in America’s space and defense programs for generations—and continues to be at the center of what comes next.

For outdoor enthusiasts, Huntsville offers plenty to explore. Monte Sano State Park sits just minutes from downtown and features miles of hiking and mountain biking trails overlooking the Tennessee Valley. The nearby Tennessee River provides opportunities for boating, kayaking, fishing, and other water activities, while the region’s parks, greenways, and foothills make it easy to get outdoors year-round.

Prefer city life? Downtown Huntsville offers a growing mix of restaurants, breweries, live music, arts, sports, and entertainment. Catch a concert at the Orion Amphitheater, explore the U.S. Space & Rocket Center, or spend an evening at Toyota Field cheering on the Rocket City Trash Pandas, the region’s aptly named Minor League Baseball team. You can also explore the shops and restaurants at MidCity and Bridge Street or experience Huntsville’s growing arts scene. For a weekend getaway, Nashville, Birmingham, and Chattanooga are all within a few hours’ drive, with Atlanta also easily accessible.

Food and drink enthusiasts will find everything from Southern staples and barbecue to an increasingly diverse restaurant scene, local breweries, coffee shops, and cocktail bars. Huntsville blends the welcoming character of the South with the energy of one of the country’s fastest-growing technology and aerospace communities.

Whether you're drawn by the outdoors, the growing city, or the opportunity to build your career in the heart of America’s aerospace and defense industry, Huntsville offers a unique place to live, work, and help shape the future of flight.

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.