Program Manager - Launch Platforms (Aerospace)

Location: Mojave, California, United States; onsite at least 80% of normal work days. Relocation eligible to the local Mojave area. Travel is estimated at approximately 10% or less, with occasional support for global operations and flight testing during off-nominal hours and weekends.

Base salary: $128,000–$206,000 for the Staff level; $147,500–$237,200 for the Principal level. Annual salary and leveling are determined case by case.

Company

hirify.global engineers reusable air-launched Talon testbeds and operationally realistic Mach 5+ testing platforms to provide flight data for hypersonic technology validation and national security applications.

What you will do

• Lead the execution and integration of launch platform service-center projects, ensuring schedule, budget, and technical objectives are achieved.
• Manage flight-test risks and issues, driving mitigation actions and closure.
• Coordinate one-off aircraft modifications, maintenance projects, schedules, staffing, and cross-functional resources.
• Track project costs, analyze variances, develop forecasts, and manage variable flight expenses.
• Lead program reviews, define launch-platform metrics, and represent programs in internal and customer-facing meetings.
• Support US Government and industry proposals while coordinating with finance, accounting, operations, engineering, and customers.

Requirements

• Experience with certified and experimental heavy aircraft.
• Experience in flight or launch-vehicle testing, aircraft maintenance, heavy-aircraft integration and testing, flight-test scheduling, or cost tracking.
• Experience leading engineers, technicians, testers, and customers to deliver flight-ready aircraft.
• Experience developing schedules, managing teams, analyzing program financial variance, and preparing forecasts.
• Strong risk management, analytical problem-solving, data analysis, presentation, and prioritization skills.
• Ability to obtain a Top Secret security clearance and work onsite in Mojave at least 80% of normal work days.

Nice to have

• Staff level: bachelor’s degree or higher and 10–20 years of relevant program management experience, or equivalent experience.
• Principal level: bachelor’s degree or higher and 20+ years of relevant program management experience, or equivalent experience.

Culture & Benefits

• 9/80 work schedule.
• Healthcare coverage including medical, dental, vision, and prescription drugs.
• Paid maternity and parental leave.
• 50% company match per contributed dollar into a 401(k) savings plan, up to $11,500.
• Tuition reimbursement.