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.
Stratolaunch is seeking a Chief Engineer to be a high-impact technical leader for hypersonic air vehicle programs. This position will be the top technical authority and conscience on their development program. This position is trusted to lead people, to develop and execute technical strategies for open-ended problems, manage risk, and to communicate successfully with internal and external customers. The ideal candidate is a demonstrated leader and team player with significant experience across aerospace platforms, possessing a breadth of technical expertise across aircraft systems, aircraft certification, store certification, maintenance, and operations.
ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Partner with Program Director/Managers and support functions to achieve successful customer program execution
- Experience acting as a program integrator/prime contractor
- Lead trade studies and make final technical decisions, requiring balance across a wide breadth of disciplines to
include: aerodynamics, propulsion, avionics, structures, controls and aero-thermodynamics
- Apply Systems Engineering principles to control scope, manage risk, and drive quality technical execution
- Support test planning and execution as required (ground and flight)
- Support business proposals and planning
- Facilitate successful technical meetings and reviews such as Engineering Review Board phase-gate technical
reviews. (e.g., SRR, PDR, CDR)
- Create engineering staffing plans and identify skillset gaps in the team
- Effectively collaborate across the enterprise in support of business objectives and program execution
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:
- Outstanding communication and interpersonal skills
- Demonstrated success as an engineering team leader and experience balancing cost, schedule, and technical
performance considerations when making decisions
- Demonstrated proficiency as a front-line manager of technical employees
- Experience maintaining, modifying, or testing aerospace platforms
- Experience recruiting and hiring engineers
- Ability to interact with customers and/or external stakeholders
- Demonstrated success applying analytical and critical thinking skills to solve multi-disciplinary, open-ended
technical problems
- Ability to work independently in a dynamic environment to achieve business goals
- US Citizen with the ability to obtain a DOD security clearance
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
- Demonstrated success as a Chief Engineer of development programs
- Experience with hypersonic and supersonic vehicle development
- Experience supporting defense contracts and working on classified programs
- Hypersonic/high-speed tactical missile experience highly desirable (e.g. multi-stage systems, hot structure airframes, launch platform integration)
- Experience with rocket propulsion systems
- Active TS/SCI security clearance
- Experience with Siemens NX/Teamcenter
- Staff-level ($157,000-$206,000): Bachelor’s degree (B.S.) from accredited institution and 10-20 years of relevant experience, OR equivalent combination of education and experience
- Principal Level ($181,000-$237,300): Bachelor’s degree (B.S.) from accredited institution and 20+ years of engineering experience, OR equivalent combination of education and experience
- Sr. Principal-Level ($k): Bachelor’s degree (B.S.) from accredited institution and 25+ years of relevant experience, OR equivalent combination of education and experience.
Special remarks regarding work environment, if applicable
- Position based in Mojave, CA. It is strongly preferred the candidate be fully on-site. Consideration for hybrid (partial remote/on-site work) work location arrangement at no less than 75-80% on-site time for well-qualified candidates.
- Travel, as needed, to support the department. Travel estimated to be <10%
#LI-AM1
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):
- 9/80 schedule
- 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
Skills Required
- Outstanding communication and interpersonal skills
- Demonstrated success as an engineering team leader balancing cost, schedule, and technical performance
- Demonstrated proficiency as a front-line manager of technical employees
- Experience maintaining, modifying, or testing aerospace platforms
- Experience recruiting and hiring engineers
- Ability to interact with customers and external stakeholders
- Demonstrated analytical and critical thinking to solve multidisciplinary, open-ended technical problems
- Ability to work independently in a dynamic environment to achieve business goals
- U.S. Citizen with ability to obtain a DOD security clearance
- Bachelor's degree (B.S.) from accredited institution or equivalent combination of education and experience
- 10+ years of relevant aerospace engineering experience (level varies by role)
- Demonstrated success as a Chief Engineer of development programs
- Experience with hypersonic and supersonic vehicle development
- Experience supporting defense contracts and classified programs
- Hypersonic/high-speed tactical missile experience (multi-stage systems, hot-structure airframes, launch platform integration)
- Experience with rocket propulsion systems
- Active TS/SCI security clearance
- Experience with Siemens NX and Teamcenter
Stratolaunch Compensation & Benefits Highlights
The following summarizes recurring compensation and benefits themes identified from responses generated by popular LLMs to common candidate questions about Stratolaunch and has not been reviewed or approved by Stratolaunch.
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Fair & Transparent Compensation — Fair & Transparent Compensation: Pay is considered competitive for many roles, with posted ranges for engineers and specialized hourly positions that indicate robust bands. Public self-reported packages also point to strong totals for some technical titles.
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Healthcare Strength — Healthcare Strength: Coverage includes multiple PPO/HMO options with HSA/HRA support and employer seeding, plus a monthly health-club reimbursement. These elements indicate comprehensive medical choices accompanied by meaningful wellness perks.
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Retirement Support — Retirement Support: A 401(k) program offers a company match up to an annual cap with a two‑year vesting schedule. This structure stands out as a meaningful long‑term savings benefit.
Stratolaunch Insights
What We Do
Stratolaunch LLC designs, manufactures, and launches aerospace vehicles and technologies to fulfill several important national needs, including the need to significantly advance U.S. hypersonic flight test capabilities and help improve the nation’s ability to design and operate cutting edge hypersonic vehicles. Our hypersonic testbeds will provide customizable, reusable, and affordable access to the Mach 5+ flight regime. We are delivering the world’s premiere hypersonic flight test services.
Why Work With Us
We offer customers the ability to perform risk reduction via affordable and routine flight test for their critical technologies. We offer an operationally realistic environment, enabling us to test in the subsonic, supersonic, and hypersonic flight regimes. With our reusable and low-cost system, customers can rapidly iterate the design of their t
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