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Launch Manager Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Zipline

Launch Manager

South San Francisco, CA · On-site

$140K - $180K/yr

As a Launch Manager, you will own deployments in assigned markets from approval through first delivery and transition to stable operations. This is hands-on launch ownership, not coordination. You ...

Zipline

Launch Manager

South San Francisco, CA

$140K - $180K/yr

As a Launch Manager, you will own deployments in assigned markets from approval through first delivery and transition to stable operations. This is hands-on launch ownership, not coordination. You ...

Cardless, Inc

Program Launch Manager

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$145K - $180K/yr

Manage and execute the launch process and associated trackers on a daily basis: daily standups, partner syncs, and executive updates. Everyone should always know what's on track, what's at risk, and ...

Navan

Enterprise Launch Manager

Palo Alto, CA · On-site +1

As an Enterprise Launch Manager on the Account Management team, you will be responsible for the successful implementation of our travel and expense platform with a portfolio of Enterprise customers.

K2 Space

Principal Launch Mission Manager

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$175K - $200K/yr

As a launch mission manager, you will be hands-on supporting payload, vehicle, and launch integration certification, verification, and execution actions. You'll own certification across multiple ...

K2 Space

Principal Launch Mission Manager

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$175K - $200K/yr

As a launch mission manager, you will be hands-on supporting payload, vehicle, and launch integration certification, verification, and execution actions. You'll own certification across multiple ...

Navan

Senior Enterprise Launch Manager

Palo Alto, CA · On-site +1

As an Enterprise Launch Manager on the Account Management team, you will be responsible for the successful implementation of our travel and expense platform with a portfolio of Enterprise customers.

Navan

Senior Enterprise Launch Manager

Palo Alto, CA · On-site

$131K - $175K/yr

As an Enterprise Launch Manager on the Account Management team, you will be responsible for the successful implementation of our travel and expense platform with a portfolio of Enterprise customers.

Apple

Product Launch Manager, WW Marketing

Cupertino, CA · On-site

$190K/yr

Apple is looking for a Product Launch Manager to join the Product Launch and Marketing Operations within Worldwide Marketing to help deliver successful product launches and manage ongoing projects.

Expleo

LAUNCH LEADER

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

Maitrise approfondie du management du projet et du methode industrielle . * Bureautique (Word, Excel, SharePoint...) * Bon niveau en Francais (ecrit et oral) * Bon niveau en Anglais (ecrit et oral ...

Expleo

LAUNCH LEADER

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

Maitrise approfondie du management du projet et du méthode industrielle . * Bureautique (Word, Excel, SharePoint...) * Bon niveau en Français (écrit et oral) * Bon niveau en Anglais (écrit et ...

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Launch Manager information

See California salary details

$15

$36

$60

How much do launch manager jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 4, 2026, the average hourly pay for launch manager in California is $36.59, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $17.79 and $54.09 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a launch manager?

A Launch Manager is a professional responsible for overseeing and coordinating the introduction of new products, services, or projects within an organization. They manage the planning, execution, and monitoring of launch activities to ensure everything runs smoothly and meets deadlines. Their work often involves collaborating with cross-functional teams, managing timelines, and mitigating risks to ensure a successful launch. Launch Managers play a crucial role in aligning stakeholders, handling logistics, and tracking performance metrics throughout the launch process.

What are some common challenges a launch manager faces when coordinating cross-functional teams during a product launch?

A Launch Manager often encounters challenges such as aligning different departments—like marketing, sales, product development, and customer support—around tight timelines and shifting priorities. Balancing stakeholder expectations, resolving communication gaps, and managing last-minute changes are frequent hurdles. Successful Launch Managers proactively facilitate regular updates, clarify roles, and anticipate potential roadblocks to keep all teams moving toward a unified launch goal. This collaborative environment requires strong organizational and interpersonal skills to ensure a smooth, on-time launch.

What is a launch manager?

A launch manager is responsible for successfully introducing new products and services into the marketplace. As a launch manager, your job duties include collaborating with sales and marketing teams, developing a plan for going to market with a new product or service, implementing that plan, and analyzing results to improve future launches. The qualifications for a career as a launch manager include excellent organization and communication skills, a bachelor’s degree in a relevant subject or a Master of Business Administration (MBA), and several years of experience in the marketing or advertising industry.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a launch manager, and why are they important?

To excel as a Launch Manager, you need expertise in project management, cross-functional coordination, and a strong understanding of product development, typically supported by a relevant degree and experience in launching products or services. Familiarity with project management tools like Asana or Jira, as well as certifications such as PMP or Agile, are commonly required. Exceptional communication, problem-solving, and leadership skills set top candidates apart in this field. These competencies ensure that complex launches are executed smoothly, on time, and meet organizational goals.

What is the difference between Launch Manager vs Product Launch Coordinator?

AspectLaunch ManagerProduct Launch Coordinator
ResponsibilitiesOversees entire product launch process, manages teams, develops strategiesSupports launch activities, coordinates tasks, assists with logistics
Required SkillsProject management, leadership, strategic planningCommunication, organization, coordination skills
CertificationsProject Management Professional (PMP), relevant industry certificationsNone typically required, but certifications like CAPM can help
Work EnvironmentOffice-based, cross-departmental collaborationSupportive, team-oriented, often in office or remote

The Launch Manager typically holds a more strategic and leadership-focused role, overseeing the entire product launch process, while the Product Launch Coordinator provides essential support and coordination. Both roles require strong organizational skills, but the Launch Manager often has more experience and responsibilities in planning and execution.

More about Launch Manager jobs
What are the most commonly searched types of Launch jobs in California? The most popular types of Launch jobs in California are:
What are popular job titles related to Launch Manager jobs in California? For Launch Manager jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Launch Manager jobs in California look for? The top searched job categories for Launch Manager jobs in California are:
What cities in California are hiring for Launch Manager jobs? Cities in California with the most Launch Manager job openings:
Launch Manager jobs near you
Infographic showing various Launch Manager job openings in California as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 87% Full Time, 10% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 81% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 17% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $76,103 per year, or $36.6 per hour.

Launch Manager

Zipline

South San Francisco, CA • On-site

$140K - $180K/yr

Other

Medical, Dental, Vision, PTO

Re-posted 9 days ago

Job description

About You and The Role

Zipline is building the charging-point and partner network that brings new delivery capacity online. As a Launch Manager, you will own deployments in assigned markets from approval through first delivery and transition to stable operations.

This is hands-on launch ownership, not coordination. You will run the integrated launch plan, drive readiness decisions and escalations across teams, and work in the field to make launches safe and repeatable. Success means completing readiness gates, enabling first delivery, and handing field teams an operation they can run and scale.

What You'll Do 
  • Own integrated launch plans and critical paths for charging locations and partner sites from approval through first delivery.
  • Build the systems, tools, operating rhythms, and readiness mechanisms that make launches safe, fast, repeatable, and scalable.
  • Lead site-level readiness; identify blockers, clarify owners, drive decisions, and escalate, schedule, regulatory, or partner tradeoffs that require functional alignment.
  • Coordinate infrastructure, permitting, flight operations, maintenance, regulatory, commercial, community engagement, and partner workstreams against launch milestones.
  • Establish readiness gates, playbooks, dashboards, and operating rhythms that make deployments repeatable across metros, partners, and future verticals.
  • Track schedule, regulatory status, partner readiness, blockers, and operational handoff health; provide clear visibility to stakeholders.
  • Lead retrospectives using field results and operational data to remove systemic bottlenecks and improve future launches.
  • Drive transition to stable operations, ensuring each site is practical for field teams, measurable, and prepared to scale.
What You'll Bring
  • 6+ years of experience in operations, deployment, infrastructure rollout, logistics, marketplace expansion, or physical-network scaling.
  • A record of owning complex, cross-functional launches or rollouts through go-live in real operating environments.
  • Experience building integrated plans across multiple teams and resolving dependencies affecting schedule, readiness, and execution.
  • Sound field judgment to distinguish documented readiness from conditions that support a safe, successful launch.
  • Ability to move between executive-level tradeoffs and site-level details, readiness checklists, and partner coordination.
  • Comfort working through ambiguity, time pressure, and changing field conditions while maintaining structure and follow-through.
  • Frequent travel to cities throughout the U.S. to directly support charging-location and partner-site launches; experience with physical infrastructure, logistics networks, aviation, robotics, autonomous systems, permitting, or construction is valued.
What Else You Need To Know

The starting cash range for this role is $140,000-180,000. Please note that this is a target, starting cash range for a candidate who meets the minimum qualifications for this role. The final cash pay for this role will depend on a variety of factors, including a specific candidate's experience, qualifications, skills, working location, and projected impact. The total compensation package for this role may also include: equity compensation; discretionary annual or performance bonuses; sales incentives; benefits such as medical, dental and vision insurance; paid time off; and more.
Zipline is an equal opportunity employer and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws or our own sensibilities.

We value diversity at Zipline and welcome applications from those who are traditionally underrepresented in tech. If you like the sound of this position but are not sure if you are the perfect fit, please apply!

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