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 high-impact technical leader to be Chief Engineer to support its growing hypersonic targets portfolio. This position will support the Office of the Chief Engineer for targets, with a focus on development programs. In this role, you will be trusted to lead people, develop and execute technical strategies for open-ended problems, manage risk, and communicate successfully with internal and external customers. The ideal candidate is a demonstrated technical leader and team player with significant experience pertinent to air-launched missile and/or target system development.
ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Partner with Stratolaunch and customer leadership to drive successful program execution
- Apply Systems Engineering principles to control scope, manage risk, and drive quality technical execution
- Facilitate successful technical meetings and reviews such as Engineering Review Board and technical gate reviews. (e.g., SRR, PDR, CDR)
- Lead trade studies and make final technical decisions, requiring balance across a wide breadth of disciplines to include: aerodynamics, propulsion, avionics, airframe, GNC, and payloads
- Create engineering staffing plans and identify skillset gaps in the team
- Support whitepapers, proposals and other business development activities
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:
- Outstanding communication and interpersonal skills
- Demonstrated success as an engineering team leader with experience balancing cost, schedule, and technical performance considerations when making decisions
- Experience acting as a system integrator
- Experience leading a technical team through missile and/or hypersonic flight vehicle development
- Technical subject matter expertise in at least one technical domain of relevance (aerodynamics, propulsion, avionics, airframe, GNC), which sufficient breadth to lead a multi-disciplinary development team.
- Ability to effectively manage relationship with key stakeholders, including government customers
- 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
- Experience supporting defense contracts
- US Citizen with the ability to obtain a DOD security clearance
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
- Demonstrated success as a Chief Engineer on missile and/or hypersonic flight vehicle development programs
- Hypersonic/high-speed tactical missile experience highly desirable (e.g. multi-stage systems, hot structure airframes, launch platform integration)
- Experience with solid rocket motor propulsion systems
- Experience transitioning developmental systems to production
- Active TS/SCI security clearance
EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE:
- Principal-Level ($163,000 - $229,352): Bachelor’s degree (B.S.) from accredited institution and 20-25 years of relevant experience, OR equivalent combination of education and experience.
- Principal-Level ($205,000 - $294,200): 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:
- This position is located in Mojave, CA.
- Applicants must be a US Person able to obtain a security clearance to be considered for this role.
- Travel estimated to be <10% in support of the program.
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):
- 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
- Experience leading engineering teams while balancing cost, schedule, and technical performance
- Experience acting as a system integrator
- Experience leading a technical team through missile or hypersonic flight vehicle development
- Technical subject matter expertise in at least one relevant domain, such as aerodynamics, propulsion, avionics, airframe, or GNC
- Ability to manage relationships with key stakeholders, including government customers
- Analytical and critical thinking skills for multidisciplinary, open-ended technical problems
- Ability to work independently in a dynamic environment
- Experience supporting defense contracts
- U.S. citizenship and ability to obtain a Department of Defense security clearance
- Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution or equivalent combination of education and experience
- 20-25 years of relevant experience for Principal-Level compensation
- 25 or more years of relevant experience for the higher Principal-Level compensation tier
- Experience as a Chief Engineer on missile or hypersonic flight vehicle development programs
- Hypersonic or high-speed tactical missile experience
- Experience with solid rocket motor propulsion systems
- Experience transitioning developmental systems to production
- Active TS/SCI security clearance
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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