--- title: 'Program Manager - Development at Stratolaunch' canonical: 'https://feeny.ai/job/program-manager-development-stratolaunch-mojave-bjrny2pwr1q0' type: 'job' last_seen: '2026-11-08' --- # Program Manager - Development at Stratolaunch - **Company:** Stratolaunch - **Location:** Mojave, CA - **Posted:** 2026-05-02 - **Last confirmed live:** 2026-11-08 - **Apply:** https://job-boards.greenhouse.io/stratolaunch/jobs/5208510008 ## Job description Stratolaunch accelerates the development of next-generation aerospace and defense technologies through reusable hypersonic flight testing. Our autonomous, air-launched Talon-A vehicles provide access to operationally realistic flight environments at speeds exceeding Mach 5, delivering critical data that helps customers validate system performance and advance technologies toward deployment. Our team brings together expertise in engineering, manufacturing, and flight operations to solve complex challenges and advance capabilities essential to national security. To help achieve these efforts, Stratolaunch is seeking a Development Program Manager. In this role, you will report to the Program Element / Development Program Manager and be responsible for execution of programs/projects that will integrate into the broader Talon-A Launch System. You will interface with internal and external stakeholders on a regular basis to help develop requirements, manage schedules, and provide updates. You will be part of the hypersonic vehicle engineering team, collaborating with the manufacturing, engineering and operations. You will work with the Stratolaunch contracts team to ensure customer milestones are achieved. You will work with the hypersonic vehicle program management team to ensure the customer needs are communicated and integrated with program planning tools and flight manifests. Essential Duties and Responsibilities - Lead an integrated product team through the full program life cycle - Develop budgets and schedules for managing assigned programs - Responsible for cost, schedule, and customer satisfaction - Make final decisions that affects cost and/or schedule constraints - Implement program management tools, as needed, to facilitate program execution - Contribute to developing statements of work, establishing program review gates, setting milestones with applicable entry and exit criteria, and evaluating subcontractor capabilities - Work with the procurement team to ensure subcontractors are delivering products on deadline and within budget - Evaluate risks and mitigation plans to determine adequacy and effectiveness - Lead the creation of proposals - Contribute to the company business plan with forecasts of schedule, budget, and personnel - Regular and comprehensive communication to the Sr. Programs Manager - Travel, as needed, to support the company and program - Demonstrate honesty, responsibility, integrity, and fulfillment of commitments ## Qualifications - To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty 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 - Knowledge of, and experience with, one or more of these disciplines: aerospace program management, subcontracts and procurement, personnel management, aircraft systems, aircraft operations, launch vehicle integration, ground systems - Experience with technical aerospace leadership, including working with subcontractors - Experience with prototype manufacturing or low-rate production - Experience with risk management - Facilitation skills and ability to communicate technical challenges and guidance to varied audiences to gain support or resolve concerns - Strong analytical problem-solving skills and ability to implement sound critical thinking skills - Ability to work on their own initiative and prioritize tasking to fit within the business goals - Ability to obtain a security clearance at the TS level - Ability to quickly adapt to changing priorities - Ability to operate in a dynamic, fast-paced environment ## Preferred - Experience with government agencies (customers and regulatory) - Experience with air-launch programs - Launch vehicle and/or aircraft integration experience - Large transport category or military aircraft operations experience - Experience with classified programs and working in a classified environment - Project Management Professional (PMP) Certification Education and Experience - Sr. Program Manager ($110,000-$134,600): Bachelor of Arts (BA) or Science (BS) or higher in a Business Management/Business Administration and/or Engineering discipline from an accredited institution and 8+ years of relevant experience, OR equivalent combination of education and experience - Staff Program Manager ($134,000-$158,600): Bachelor of Arts (BA) or Science (BS) or higher in a Business Management/Business Administration and/or Engineering discipline from an accredited institution and 10+ years of relevant 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 - Semi-frequent travel required to domestic locations - 9/80 schedule #LI-onsite ## #LI-AM1 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](https://www.stratolaunch.com/careers/benefits/) and our https://www.stratolaunch.com/careers/locations/: - Healthcare (medical, dental, vision, prescription drugs) - Paid Maternity and Parental Leave - 50% company match per contributed dollar into 401(k) savings plan, up to $11,500 - Tuition reimbursement 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 : [https://www.dol.gov/ofccp/regs/compliance/posters/pdf/eeopost.pdf](https://usg02.safelinks.protection.office365.us/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.dol.gov%2Fofccp%2Fregs%2Fcompliance%2Fposters%2Fpdf%2Feeopost.pdf&data=05%7C02%7CJustin.Bunkis%40stratolaunch.com%7Cc995cc1cb2d54cb9e84f08dd8369f5d0%7C6b1ba37e5a954845af92bbebaa34f2bf%7C0%7C0%7C638811213293596097%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=HA1xZ73OqtOavsYHMEB53oSEKk%2FQdrb0FNLHeuEPqjg%3D&reserved=0) ## About Stratolaunch ## Company Overview - **One-liner**: Stratolaunch designs, manufactures, and launches aerospace vehicles and technologies to provide the U.S. and its allies with routine, affordable access to hypersonic flight testing and space. - **Entity Type**: Private (total funding $24.7M; recent grant and private equity rounds) - **Headquarters**: Mojave, California, United States - **Founded**: 2011 - **Founders**: Not listed in available sources ## Core Business - **Primary industry**: Defense and Space Manufacturing – hypersonic test technology and air-launch services. - **Target customers**: U.S. government agencies (Missile Defense Agency, Department of Defense), defense contractors, and commercial aerospace companies. - **Mission**: To advance a national imperative by enabling routine access to the hypersonic environment, accelerating technology development, and validating system performance through flight data. ## Products & Services - **Roc (Air-Launch Platform)**: The world’s largest aircraft by wingspan, used as a mobile launch pad to deploy hypersonic test vehicles from high altitude. - **Talon-A**: A reusable, air-launched hypersonic test vehicle capable of sustained Mach 5+ flight; provides critical flight data for technology maturation. - **Hypersonic Flight Testing Services**: End-to-end mission planning, payload integration, flight operations, and data analysis for government and commercial customers. ## Market Standing - **Valuation**: Not publicly disclosed - **Key Metrics**: - Annual revenue: ~$28.7M (source: LinkedIn) - Total funding: $24.7M (led by Missile Defense Agency grant, January 2025; plus a private equity round in January 2026) - **Notable Investors/Partners**: Missile Defense Agency (MDA), U.S. Department of Defense; acquired WINDWRIGHT, LLC. - **Growth Signals**: - Headcount grew 15.3% YoY to 253 employees. - Active job postings increased 176.2% YoY. - Received a $90.8M contract award under MACH-TB 2.0 Task 3 for air-launched capability test vehicles. - Conducted a hypersonic test flight with the Missile Defense Agency. ## Competitive Advantages - **Unique Air-Launch Capability**: Operates Roc, the only aircraft of its size, enabling flexible, over-the-horizon launch of hypersonic vehicles without ground range constraints. - **Vertical Integration**: In-house design, manufacturing, and flight test capabilities reduce timelines and allow rapid iteration. - **Government Trust**: Multiple contract awards from MDA and DoD demonstrate confidence in Stratolaunch’s technology and execution. ## Strategic Focus - Scaling hypersonic testing capacity to meet growing national security demand. - Maturing Talon-A into a reusable, operational vehicle for repeatable, cost-effective hypersonic flights. - Expanding customer base beyond the MDA to include other defense agencies and commercial hypersonic developers. ## Why Work Here - **Culture**: Values include “Safety Always,” “Be courageous & bold,” “Strength in humility,” and “Be the teammate you’d want to have.” Emphasis on hands-on, cross‑disciplinary learning alongside top aerospace engineers. - **Work Environment**: Majority on‑site (57 of 64 current positions are on‑site); limited hybrid/remote options. HQ in Mojave, CA, with additional offices in Washington, D.C., and Huntsville, AL. - **Notable Perks**: Direct involvement in cutting‑edge hypersonic technology with national importance; exposure to multiple engineering disciplines; safety‑first, ego‑free culture. - **Compensation Example**: Propulsion Technician ~$65,890/yr; Executive Assistant ~$88,580/yr (LinkedIn estimates). - **Employer Rating**: 3.7/5 (55 reviews) – Compensation rated 4.0/5, Culture 3.5/5, Work‑Life 2.8/5. ## Sources 1. [stratolaunch.com](https://www.stratolaunch.com/) 2. [linkedin.com](https://www.linkedin.com/company/stratolaunch) 3. [job-boards.greenhouse.io](https://job-boards.greenhouse.io/stratolaunch) 4. 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