Senior Manufacturing Program Manager – Aerospace Defense

Stratolaunch; Northern (KY); Hybrid; USD 164,000 - 195,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid parental leave

401(k) match

Relocation assistance

Job summary

Stratolaunch is seeking a Principal Program Manager – Manufacturing to lead the transition of complex aerospace systems from prototype to stable production, targeting about 50 units per year. This senior role requires 15+ years guiding production-focused aerospace/defense programs and a strong technical background.

The ideal candidate will manage cross-functional teams in a matrixed environment, ensure EVMS/government compliance, and maintain security clearances while driving cost, schedule, and

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

Responsibilities

• 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
• 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
• 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
• 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
• 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
• 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
• Domestic travel as required to support program and business objectives

Skills

15+ years of experience

Leadership of manufacturing programs

Cross-functional leadership

Security clearance

PMP PgMP Lean/Six Sigma (preferred)

Education

Engineering degree or equivalent

Job description

Stratolaunch is seeking a Principal Program Manager – Manufacturing to lead the transition of complex aerospace systems from prototype to stable production, targeting about 50 units per year. This senior role requires 15+ years guiding production-focused aerospace/defense programs and a strong technical background.

The ideal candidate will manage cross-functional teams in a matrixed environment, ensure EVMS/government compliance, and maintain security clearances while driving cost, schedule, and