Launch Site Director

Role Overview

• Coordinate the local effort to install and fabricate pad upgrades in support of the Alpha and MLV launch vehicle programs
• Direct Alpha launch campaigns from pre-vehicle arrival pad preparations, integrated vehicle checkouts and on-pad launch operations
• Lead daily tagups for launch campaigns and pad development to ensure programs are on schedule and within budget
• Manage pad preventative maintenance team to maximize pad availability and reduce operational costs
• Identify opportunities to reduce launch campaign durations and scope
• Work with vehicle and operations teams to ensure all relevant procedures, documentation and tools are updated for vehicle or site upgrades
• Develop weekly operating rhythm to ensure pad maintenance, repairs and updates are on track to complete prior to vehicle arrival
• Work with program team to develop Integrated Master Schedule for the vehicle and pad operations for each flight
• Lead intermittent schedule status reviews with the Program Managers and executive leadership showing progress, forecast and schedule metrics
• Develop financial and resource budgets to meet program directed launch cadences and upgrades
• Lead local hiring activities for the launch operations and facility team members
• Coordinate with SLD/30 Safety Teams to guarantee deliverables, reviews and support for each mission
• Coordinate with range operations teams, NASA, Virginia Spaceport Authority, and other stakeholders to ensure successful program execution
• Ensure that all documentation, licensing, contracts, commodities and other required items are established and in place for each launch campaign

Requirements

• Minimum of a bachelors degree in Engineering, Project Engineering or Aircraft Operations (equivalent military or operations experience may meet desire)
• Experience leading multi-disciplinary engineering and operations teams
• Experience managing annual budget planning process and successful project execution
• 10+ years of experience in a technical/project engineering role
• 5+ years of experience in aerospace leadership across complex systems
• Exceptional computer skills (MS Excel, MS Project, MS Visio)
• 5+ yrs running console operations for integrated vehicle and pad operations (desired)
• Experience with Atlassian products like Confluence & Jira (desired)
• Familiarity with version control systems like SVN, Bitbucket, etc (desired)
• Prior launch vehicle operations at test or launch facilities (desired)
• Working knowledge of data viewing tools in Python, LabView, Matlab, etc (desired)
• Experience in development and/or operations of launch vehicles (desired)
• USG and Commercial launch proposal support (desired)
• Familiarity with AFSPCMAN 91-710, NASA
• STD-5005, GSFC-STD-8009, RCC 319/324, etc (desired)

Tech Stack

• Python
• Subversion

Benefits

• generous health, dental and vision plans with low plan deductibles
• parental leave
• educational reimbursement
• short term disability
• flexible PTO options