Program Director (Hypersonic Vehicle)

Location: Mojave, California, United States; onsite at least 80% of normal work days. Relocation eligible to the local area. Occasional domestic and international travel of approximately 10% or less; off-nominal hours and weekends may be required for flight-test support.

Salary: $214,000–$250,000 annually for the Director, Program Management level; $192,500–$235,600 annually for the Sr. Principal level. Base salary and leveling are determined case by case.

Company

hirify.global engineers reusable air-launched Talon testbeds and hypersonic flight-test platforms that provide data for technology validation and national-security applications.

What you will do

• Lead strategic initiatives and present program information to executives, customers, government agencies, strategic partners, and the Board of Directors.
• Oversee multiple concurrent programs across design, development, manufacturing, and flight testing, with responsibility for cost, schedule, technical performance, customer satisfaction, and financial results.
• Lead forecasting, budgeting, revenue recognition, contract invoicing, risk management, compliance, governance, and technical-risk closure.
• Develop long-term program strategies, business plans, growth opportunities, proposals, capture strategies, and customer engagement plans.
• Lead cross-functional engineering, operations, procurement, finance, and legal teams while managing subcontractors and customer relationships.
• Mentor program managers and team leads, support talent acquisition and development, and build senior-level talent pipelines and succession plans.

Requirements

• Minimum 20 years of progressive technical and/or program management experience, including at least 5 years in a senior or principal-level leadership role within aerospace, defense, or high-technology sectors.
• Experience managing large, complex, multidisciplinary programs with annual budgets exceeding $100 million.
• Extensive aerospace program management experience covering subcontracts and procurement, personnel management, aircraft systems, aircraft operations, launch vehicle integration, and ground systems.
• Technical leadership experience overseeing subcontractors and prototype or low-rate production.
• Advanced risk management expertise and experience with classified programs.
• Exceptional facilitation, negotiation, executive communication, analytical, strategic-thinking, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a TS (Top Secret) security clearance.
• Ability to lead in a dynamic, fast-paced environment, make difficult decisions with incomplete information, and drive organizational change.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, MS Project, and other advanced project-management tools.
• Bachelor’s degree or higher in Engineering, Business Management/Administration, or a related discipline from an accredited institution, with 20+ years of relevant program-management experience or an equivalent combination of education and experience for the Director level.

Nice to have

• 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.

Culture & Benefits

• 9/80 work schedule.
• Medical, dental, vision, and prescription-drug healthcare coverage.
• Paid maternity and parental leave.
• 50% company match on employee 401(k) contributions, up to $11,500.
• Tuition reimbursement and a culture focused on innovation, accountability, continuous improvement, collaboration, and professional development.