Launch Program Manager

Job description

## The Opportunity: Seneca is looking for a **Launch Program Manager** to own the end-to-end deployment of our aircraft systems with customers. When we say, “We’re launching in Aspen,” you turn that decision into an executable plan: dates, logistics, site readiness, regulatory requirements, training, customer onboarding, and field support. Our customers purchase and operate their own aircraft today but launching successfully is a high-touch process. You will ensure they are ready to receive, store, charge, maintain, and operate the system safely and effectively. And, when we start operating the aircraft for customers, you will make sure that Seneca is known as a partner you want to call again. You will be the **single source of truth for everything launch-related**, coordinating across Seneca, the customer, and other external stakeholders. You will also build the launch playbook that makes each deployment more repeatable and scalable. ## What You’ll Do: - Own customer launches from commercial handoff through operational readiness. - Build and manage the integrated launch plan, including milestones, dependencies, owners, risks, and critical path. - Coordinate aircraft readiness, shipping, site preparation, training, regulatory work, field support, and customer acceptance. - Ensure the customer has appropriate storage, charging infrastructure, power, connectivity, maintenance space, tools, spare parts, and operating locations. - Clarify which launch responsibilities belong to Seneca and which belong to the customer. - Coordinate required aviation, airspace, site, agency, and local approvals with the appropriate experts. - Develop and drive the customer onboarding and training plan for operators, maintainers, supervisors, and other stakeholders. - Lead launch-readiness reviews and identify gaps before they become field problems. - Coordinate on-site deployment, commissioning, training, and initial operations. - Maintain clear, current communication on launch status, risks, decisions, and open actions. - Drive a defined handoff from launch activities to ongoing customer operations and support. - Write and maintain Seneca’s launch playbook, including standard plans, checklists, readiness gates, templates, and lessons learned. - Feed recurring launch issues and customer insights back into Product, Engineering, Operations, and Support. ## Background and Experience: - 5+ years of experience in program management, customer deployment, field operations, implementation, or a similar role. - Experience launching complex physical products or systems at customer sites. - Strong cross-functional planning, risk management, and execution skills. - The ability to turn ambiguous objectives into detailed, actionable plans. - Strong customer-facing communication and judgment. - A high level of ownership, attention to detail, and follow-through. - Comfort working in a fast-moving environment where the product and launch process are still evolving. - Willingness to travel regularly to customer locations. - Experience in aviation, drones, robotics, public safety, emergency response, regulatory coordination, technical training, or charging infrastructure is helpful but not required. ## What Success Looks Like: - Every launch has a clear plan, accountable owners, and defined readiness criteria. - Customers understand and complete their responsibilities before the aircraft arrive. - Aircraft, batteries, chargers, facilities, personnel, approvals, and training are ready when needed. - Leadership and functional teams have one reliable view of launch status. - Problems are identified and resolved before they jeopardize the launch. - Customers are prepared to safely operate and support their aircraft. - Each deployment improves a repeatable launch process for the next customer. ## What We Offer: - **Competitive Salary** – Reflective of your skills and experience - **Equity Compensation** – Be a part-owner in the company’s future - **Comprehensive Health Coverage** – Medical, dental, and vision plans - **Health Savings Account (HSA)** – Optional pre-tax savings for medical expenses - **Unlimited PTO** – Flexible time off to recharge, plus paid company holidays **About Us** Seneca is building cutting-edge drone and sensor technology for wildfire suppression, aiming to eliminate wildfire risk across 500 million acres of high-risk U.S. + allied territory. Backed by top-tier investors, including Convective Capital, Caffeinated Capital, First Round Capital, Slow Ventures, Nextview Ventures, Transition Capital, Bullpen Capital, Stepstone Group, Roar Capital, Offline Ventures, and leaders from Palantir, Google, Meta, and many others, the company has raised $110M in Series A funding and is valued over $500 million. Founded by Stu Landesberg (former Founder & CEO of Grove Collaborative — IPO in 2022 at $1.7B) and fire industry experts, Seneca is a mission-driven company dedicated to climate resilience and fire prevention. **Don’t meet every single requirement?** If you're excited about this role but your experience doesn’t align perfectly with every qualification, we encourage you to apply — you may still be the right fit for our team.