Program Manager - Manufacturing, Talon Vehicle

Stratolaunch; Northern (KY); Hybrid; USD 134,000 - 159,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid Maternity and Parental Leave

401(k) with company match

Job summary

Stratolaunch seeks a Staff Program Manager – Manufacturing to lead prototype manufacturing activities for Talon vehicle programs. You will drive an integrated build plan, coordinate readiness, and manage cost, schedule, and risks across engineering, manufacturing, supply chain, quality, and test.

The role emphasizes leading multidisciplinary teams, mitigating manufacturing challenges, and delivering hardware on schedule in a fast-paced aerospace environment.

Qualifications

• Experience in aerospace or defense program management, manufacturing, or development environments.
• Experience leading prototype or early development manufacturing efforts.
• Experience managing low-rate builds (1–2 units per year) or similar small-batch, high-complexity manufacturing.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a security clearance.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the program lead for prototype manufacturing activities across engineering, manufacturing, supply chain, quality, and test.
• Develop and maintain the integrated prototype build plan, including scope, configuration requirements, and cross-functional inputs.
• Coordinate manufacturing readiness efforts for developmental systems, including tooling, work instructions, configuration management, and build sequencing.
• Integrate cross-functional readiness inputs for developmental builds into the prototype build plan; track actions, risks, milestones, and program impacts.
• Lead resolution of prototype manufacturing challenges, including supply-chain constraints, integration issues, and late-stage engineering changes.
• Develop and maintain the integrated prototype build schedule and cost plan, including labor-hour and resource forecasts.
• Support earned-value processes, cost reporting, and forecasting for developmental manufacturing programs.
• Ensure prototype build plans align with overall program strategy and customer requirements.
• Partner with engineering to ensure designs are producible, testable, and properly documented.
• Coordinate design iterations and prototype updates with stakeholders, managing configuration and build-plan impacts.

Skills

Aerospace PM

Prototype manufacturing

Low-rate builds

Engineering degree

Team leadership

Security clearance

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering

Tools

EVMS

CDRL deliverables

Job description

Program Manager - Manufacturing, Talon Vehicle

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 support these advanced development efforts, Stratolaunch is seeking a Staff Program Manager –Manufacturing with 10–15 years of relevant experience in fast‑paced, highly technical aerospace or defense environments. This role focuses on planning, coordinating, and executing prototype manufacturing activities, with a particular emphasis on low‑rate developmental production (1–2 units per year).

The ideal candidate thrives in rapid‑iteration environments, integrates technical and manufacturing inputs effectively, and ensures prototype hardware is built, controlled, and delivered on schedule while meeting stringent technical requirements. A strong candidate is comfortable navigating ambiguity, leading multidisciplinary teams, and managing complex prototype builds with evolving requirements.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Leadership & Cross‑Functional Integration

• Serve as the program lead for prototype manufacturing activities across engineering, manufacturing, supply chain, quality, and test
• Drive strong communication and alignment across technical, operational, and programmatic stakeholders
• Mentor junior program staff and contribute to improving prototype build processes and organizational best practices

Prototype Manufacturing Execution

• Develop and maintain the integrated prototype build plan, incorporating scope, configuration requirements, and cross-functional inputs; manage program-level cost, schedule, risk, and delivery impacts resulting from changing technical inputs
• Coordinate manufacturing readiness efforts for developmental systems, including tooling, work instructions, configuration management, and build sequencing
• Integrate cross-functional readiness inputs for developmental builds into the prototype build plan; track associated actions, risks, dependencies, milestones, and program impacts
• Integrate functional improvement plans and prototype-build lessons learned into the program plan to inform future builds, reduce program schedule risk, and support maturation of critical build processes
• Lead resolution of prototype manufacturing challenges, including supply‑chain constraints, integration issues, and late‑stage engineering changes

Cost, Schedule & Program Performance

• Develop and maintain the integrated prototype build schedule and cost plan, including labor-hour and resource forecasts, aligned with functional plans and delivery commitments
• Identify and manage risks to cost, schedule, and technical performance; implement mitigation plans
• Support earned‑value processes, cost reporting, and forecasting appropriate for developmental manufacturing programs
• Ensure alignment between prototype build plans and overall program strategy

Technical Support & Build Quality

• Partner with engineering to ensure prototype designs are producible, testable, and properly documented
• Integrate functional quality, acceptance, and documentation plans into the prototype build plan; track associated readiness, risks, and delivery impacts
• Coordinate design iterations and prototype updates with functional stakeholders, integrating configuration, traceability, compliance, and build‑plan impacts

Customer, Stakeholder & Contract Support

• Support customer‑facing reviews, progress briefings, and discussions related to prototype status or manufacturing risks
• Ensure prototype build activities comply with contractual and regulatory requirements, including government reporting when applicable
• Collaborate with Contracts, Finance, and Supply Chain to support modifications, scope changes, and resource planning
• Lead identification and mitigation of manufacturing risks related to prototype complexity, supply‑chain delays, or evolving technical requirements
• Ensure compliance with export control laws, quality standards, and government contract provisions
• Communicate build progress, delivery schedules, and manufacturing challenges clearly and proactively to program leadership
• Support classified program discussions as required

Travel

• Domestic travel as required to support program and business objectives

Required Qualifications

• Experience in aerospace or defense program management, manufacturing, or development environments
• Demonstrated success leading prototype or early development manufacturing efforts
• Experience managing low‑rate builds (1–2 units per year) or similar small‑batch, high‑complexity manufacturing
• Strong technical background (engineering degree or equivalent experience)
• Ability to lead multidisciplinary teams and manage complex hardware builds with evolving scope
• Ability to obtain and maintain a security clearance

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with hypersonic systems, flight vehicles, or propulsion‑related manufacturing
• Experience in rapid prototyping, developmental test programs, or engineering‑driven iteration cycles
• Familiarity with EVMS, government contract requirements, or CDRL deliverables
• Lean or process‑improvement experience for prototype or low‑rate production

Education and Experience

• Staff-level ($134,000-$158,600): Bachelor’s degree (B.A. or B.S.) or higher in Engineering, Technical Management, or related field and 10-15 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

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.

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: