To achieve these great efforts, Stratolaunch is seeking a Program Director with at least 20 years of relevant experience. This visible leadership role is responsible for the successful execution of complex, multi-disciplinary programs, including strategic planning, cross-functional team leadership, and is responsible for all aspects of program delivery and organizational growth. The role spans the design and development, manufacturing, and flight test of a fleet of next-generation reusable hypersonic test vehicles. A candidate for this role must be comfortable leading cross-functional teams in a strong matrixed environment, driving the execution of a high-complexity technical project. A strong candidate will have a strong sense of urgency and will be able to make difficult programmatic decisions in an environment where not all the desired information is available.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Leadership

• Lead strategic program initiatives and present clear and concise information in executive forums, customer engagements, and internal leadership meetings
• Mentor, coach, and develop program managers and team leads across the program

Program Oversight & Execution

• Oversee execution of multiple, concurrent programs with full responsibility for cost, schedule, technical performance, and customer satisfaction
• Own and maintain a positive customer relationship by producing results
• Drive the adoption of advanced program management processes, tools, and best practices
• Make high-impact decisions affecting program direction, resource allocation, and risk posture
• Lead program forecasting and budgeting activities, ensuring accurate financial planning and alignment with organizational goals
• 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

Strategic Planning & Business Growth

• Partner with executive leadership and department heads to define long-term program strategies, business plans, and growth opportunities
• Lead the development of new business proposals, capture strategies, and customer engagement plans
• Identify and pursue opportunities for program expansion, technology insertion, and process improvement

Customer & Stakeholder Engagement

• Serve as the primary point of contact for key customers, 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
• Proactively manage risk by developing risk mitigation plans and driving technical risks to closure with a high sense of urgency
• Ensure adherence to all regulatory, contractual, and quality standards

Organizational Leadership

• Foster a culture of innovation, accountability, and continuous improvement
• Lead cross-functional teams (engineering, operations, procurement, finance, legal) to ensure seamless program execution
• Champion overall team growth and development, including talent acquisition, onboarding, training, and professional advancement
• 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 the C-suite and Board of Directors
• 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

Required Qualifications

• Minimum 20 years of progressive experience in technical and/or program management, with at least 5 years in a senior or principal-level leadership role within aerospace, defense, or high-technology sectors
• A strong sense of urgency, with the ability to make tough decisions in a technical environment
• Demonstrated success managing large, complex, multi-disciplinary programs with annual budgets >$100M
• Extensive experience in aerospace program management, subcontracts and procurement, personnel management, aircraft systems, aircraft operations, launch vehicle integration, and ground systems
• Proven track record of technical leadership, including oversight of subcontractors and prototype/low-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
• 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

Preferred Qualifications

• Airbreathing propulsion technology and hypersonic vehicle development experience
• Experience working directly with government agencies, regulatory bodies, and major defense contractors
• Air-launch, launch vehicle, and/or aircraft integration program experience
• Large transport category or military aircraft operations experience
• PMP, PgMP, or equivalent advanced project/program management certification
• Experience with classified program execution and secure environments

Required Computer Skills

• Advanced proficiency in MS Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint)
• MS Project and other advanced project management tools

Education & Experience

• Sr. Principal-level ($192,500-$235,000): Bachelor’s degree (B.A. or B.S.) or higher in Engineering, Business Management/Administration, or related discipline from an accredited institution and 15+ years relevant program management experience or equivalent combination of education and experience
• Director, Program Management ($214,000-$250,000): Bachelor’s degree (B.A. or B.S.) or higher in Engineering, Business Management/Administration, or related discipline from an accredited institution and 15+ years relevant program management experience or equivalent combination of education and experience

Special remarks regarding work environment, if applicable

• Supporting flight test often means contributing during off-nominal hours and weekends
• All candidates are expected to be onsite in Mojave >= 80% of normal work days
• Travel estimated to be approximately 10% or less
• This position is located in Mojave, CA
• Relocation eligible to local area
• 9/80 schedule

To help achieve these efforts, Stratolaunch is seeking a level I, level II, Sr-, or Staff-level Avionics Engineer with emphasis in Flight Termination Systems (FTS) and Autonomous Flight Safety System (AFSS) to support continued technical development of air-launched hypersonic aircraft. This position will also support the efforts to design, integrate, and test the FTS and AFSS in accordance with RCC-319 and RCC-324. Additionally, this position will include working with range safety personnel to coordinate review and approval of various FTS documents. You must be comfortable with component/system development and integration. Candidates must have an aerospace development background and relevant experience in aerospace systems integration.

Essential Responsibilities

• Support the development, implementation, and subsystem-level testing of the FTS and AFSS
• Collaborate with range safety to review and approve FTS and AFSS documentation
• Support design, procurement, and build of AFSS Hardware in the Loop
• Contribute to flight test planning for integrated (carrier aircraft + pylon + hypersonic vehicle) Stratolaunch missions
• Collaborate with range safety personnel to develop FTS and AFSS technical requirements
• Contribute to coordination of range testing
• Support design reviews throughout vehicle system development
• Evaluate and determine risks and risk mitigation plans
• Regular and comprehensive communication to the Avionics Chief Engineer and FTS/AFSS PM on a weekly and monthly basis
• Contribute to the integration of complex aerospace systems
• Demonstrate honesty, responsibility, integrity, and fulfillment of commitments

Qualifications and Skills

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential responsibility satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Required Qualifications

• Knowledge of, and experience with, one or more of these disciplines: electrical engineering, aircraft and/or launch vehicle integration
• Experience with FTS and/or AFSS (receivers, batteries, safe and arm devices, ordnance, initiators)
• Experience architecting avionics system design with COTS or in-house hardware
• Experience working with and tailoring RCC-319 & RCC-324 requirements
• Experience with Maximum Predicted Environments, Acceptance Testing, and Qualification Testing
• Experience with technical aerospace leadership, including working with sub-contractors
• Experience with test planning and execution
• Experience with risk management
• Ability to communicate technical challenges and guidance to varied audiences to explain rationale and/or resolve concerns
• Ability to work on their own initiative and prioritize tasking to fit within the business goals
• Ability to quickly adapt to changing priorities
• Ability to obtain and maintain a DoW security clearance

Required Computer Skills

• Engineering programming tools (Matlab or equivalent)
• MS Office (Word, Excel, Outlook)
• Configuration management systems (Git, Bitbucket, JIRA, or equivalent)

Preferred Qualifications

• Knowledge of RF system design including link budgets, antenna design, and antenna placement
• Knowledge of debris catalogs and how they’re used for breakup analysis
• Experience developing environmental test specifications
• Experience with max predicted environment instrumentation (accelerometers, thermocouples)
• Engineering with computing languages & tools (C, C++, AGI STK, HFSS)
• Experience with government agencies
• Experience with air-launch programs
• Experience with aircraft prototype development, including releasing Engineering definition and developing work instructions
• Security clearance

Education and Experience

• Level I ($83,000-$120,500): Bachelor’s degree or higher from accredited institution and 0-2 years of engineering experience, OR equivalent combination of education and experience
• Level II ($101,000-$146,500): Bachelor’s degree (B.S.) from accredited institution and 2-5 years of engineering experience, OR equivalent combination of education and experience
• Sr Level ($120,500-$158,000): Bachelor’s degree (B.S.) from accredited institution and 5-10 years of engineering experience, OR equivalent combination of education and experience
• Staff Level ($157,000-$206,000): Bachelor’s degree (B.S.) from accredited institution and 10-20 years of engineering experience, OR equivalent combination of education and experience

Special remarks regarding work environment, if applicable

• Position based in Mojave, CA
• Travel, as needed, to support the department. Travel estimated to be <10%

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