JOB POSTING
Stratolaunch is a technology accelerator that engineers operationally realistic testing at Mach 5+. Our air-launched, Talon testbeds are reusable, cost-effective platforms that enable routine access to the hypersonic environment. We deliver flight data critical to validating system performance and achieving rapid technology deployment. Together with our customers, we drive innovations that are imperative to advancing national security.
To support these critical efforts, Stratolaunch is seeking a Principal Cost Account Manager (CAM) with 15+ years of experience in program controls, earned value management, financial leadership, and large‑scale aerospace program execution. This highly visible role provides strategic financial insight, leads cost governance for major development and test campaigns, and partners with Program Management, Engineering, and Operations to ensure disciplined cost performance across complex, multi‑year programs.
A successful candidate is a seasoned expert in cost management, capable of influencing technical decisions, guiding cross‑functional teams, and driving long‑term financial health in a fast‑paced, evolving environment.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
Strategic Cost Leadership
- Serve as the senior cost authority for major program segments, driving strategy, governance, and oversight of cost performance across multiple control accounts
- Provide executive‑level financial guidance to Program Directors, Chief Engineers, and senior leadership
- Lead development of long‑term cost roadmaps, annual budget strategies, and investment plans matched to evolving program priorities
- Provide stewardship of EVMS compliance across assigned programs; guide internal process improvement and portfolio‑wide EVMS maturity
Expert Program Controls & Execution
- Own cost, schedule, and earned value performance for highly complex development, integration, and flight‑test scope
- Lead control account planning, baseline development, resource allocation, and critical-path cost/schedule analysis
- Perform advanced trend analysis, multi-scenario forecasting, and integration of engineering/technical risks into cost projections
- Direct creation and review of monthly performance reports, variance narratives, and executive briefings
- Drive cross-functional recovery plans where cost, schedule, or technical performance deviate from expectations
Financial Systems, Tools & Governance
- Oversee EVMS tools, cost modeling systems, and reporting infrastructure improvements; mentor teams on best practices and advanced techniques
- Collaborate with Finance, Contracts, and Program Management to maintain accurate revenue forecasts, billing profiles, and funding strategies
- Support audits, customer formal reviews, and compliance assessments
Customer, Stakeholder & Contract Support
- Support customer‑facing cost reviews, contract audits, and negotiations related to cost adjustments or scope changes
- Partner with Contracts and Finance to validate billing milestones, funding profiles, and revenue forecasting
- Support development of proposals, ROMs, BOEs, and strategic pricing strategies for new business growth
- Support classified program cost operations as required
Risk Management & Compliance
- Lead cost‑related risk and opportunity identification, analysis, and mitigation planning
- Ensure all cost controls align with regulatory, contractual, and company cost‑accounting standards
- Partner with engineering and test leads to evaluate cost‑related risk impacts associated with design changes, manufacturing challenges, supply chain constraints, and flight‑test uncertainties
Team Leadership & Development
- Mentor cost analysts, junior CAMs, and cross-functional teammates on EVMS, cost analysis, forecasting, and program financial discipline
- Help shape organization-wide program control policies, standards, training, and tools
- Support talent development, including onboarding, coaching, and succession planning
Travel
- Domestic travel as required to support program and business objectives
Required Qualifications
- Minimum 15 years of progressive experience in program controls, cost management, earned value management, or financial leadership within aerospace, defense, or high‑technology fields
- Demonstrated experience managing cost performance for complex multi‑disciplinary programs exceeding $50M–$100M annually
- Expert knowledge of EVMS principles, government reporting requirements, baseline planning, and performance management
- Strong analytical and strategic‑thinking capabilities, including scenario modeling and long‑term forecasting
- Proven ability to influence technical and programmatic decisions based on financial insight
- Mastery of MS Excel and proficiency with EVMS and/or ERP tools such as COBRA, Empower, Deltek, or equivalents
- Strong executive‑level communication and briefing capability
- Ability to obtain and maintain a security clearance
Preferred Qualifications
- Aerospace development, flight test, or launch vehicle program experience
- Direct experience with IPMR/CPR, CFSR, and other government reporting frameworks
- Familiarity with aircraft systems, integration campaigns, or hypersonic test operations
- PMP, EVMP, or advanced program/cost management certification
- Experience supporting classified programs or secure environments
Education & Experience
- Principal-level ($148,000-$203,000): Bachelor’s degree (B.A. or B.S.) or higher in Finance, Accounting, Engineering, Business Administration, or related field and 15+ years relevant program management 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
- Travel estimated to be approximately 10% or less
- 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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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 and our location(s):
- 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