Staff Cost Account Manager - Talon Program

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 enable these great efforts, Stratolaunch is seeking a Staff Cost Account Manager (CAM) with 10+ years of relevant experience. This role is responsible for the planning, management, and control of cost, schedule, and earned value performance across complex aerospace development and test programs. The CAM will partner closely with Program Management, Engineering, Supply Chain, and Finance to ensure accurate forecasting, proactive risk identification, and consistent execution of cost‑control strategies.

A successful candidate is comfortable working with large budgets, evolving technical requirements, and fast‑paced, multi‑disciplinary teams.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Leadership & Cross‑Functional Collaboration

Serve as the primary cost responsibility owner for assigned control accounts, collaborating with engineering and program leads to ensure alignment across cost, schedule, and technical scope

• Mentor cost analysts and early‑career CAMs on EVMS principles, forecasting, and financial discipline
• Represent the cost function during internal reviews, business rhythms, and customer engagements
• Cost Control, Planning & Execution
• Develop, maintain, and manage control account plans (CAPs), including work breakdown structure (WBS) mapping, baseline planning, and resource allocation
• Lead earned value management processes, including variance analysis, estimate‑to‑complete (ETC) revisions, and monthly performance reporting
• Monitor actual costs, commitments, and accruals to ensure accuracy and alignment with program objectives
• Drive integrated cost/schedule planning with program schedulers to maintain realistic, executable plans
• Identify cost performance trends and develop mitigation or recovery plans
• Financial Forecasting & Reporting
• Produce regular cost performance reports, variance explanations, and program financial briefing materials
• Support development of the program’s long‑range financial plan, quarterly re‑forecasts, and budget updates
• Ensure compliance with EVMS standards, contract requirements, and internal financial governance
• 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 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

• Organizational Contribution
• Help advance cost‑management best practices and tools across the organization
• Contribute to continuous improvement initiatives that streamline reporting, improve forecasting accuracy, and enhance financial insight for leadership

Travel

Domestic travel as required to support program and business objectives

Required Qualifications

Minimum 10 years of experience in cost control, earned value management, financial planning and analysis, or program controls within aerospace, defense, or high‑technology environments

• Demonstrated success managing complex development or test program budgets exceeding $30M annually
• Strong understanding of earned value management principles (EVMS), WBS development, baseline planning, and financial variance analysis
• Experience supporting engineering teams, supply chain, and program management in a matrixed environment
• Ability to interpret technical scope and translate it into accurate cost plans and forecasts
• Advanced proficiency with MS Excel and financial modeling; experience with EVMS and/or ERP tools (COBRA, Empower, Deltek, or similar)
• Strong communication, facilitation, and executive‑level briefing skills
• Ability to obtain and maintain a security clearance

Preferred Qualifications

• Aerospace development, test operations, or launch vehicle program experience
• Experience supporting government cost reporting (CPR/IPMR, CFSR)
• Familiarity with aircraft operations or hypersonic test environments
• PMP, EVMP, or advanced cost management certification
• Experience supporting classified programs or secure environments
• Education and Experience
• Staff-level ($119,000-$172,000): Bachelor’s degree (B.A. or B.S.) or higher in Finance, Accounting, Engineering, Business Administration, or related field and 10+ years of relevant experience, or an 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%
• 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.