Chief Engineer- Targets

Stratolaunch; Mojave (CA); On-site; USD 163,000 - 294,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid Maternity and Parental Leave

50% company match into 401(k) up to $/

Job summary

Stratolaunch, based in Mojave, CA, seeks a Chief Engineer to lead its hypersonic targets portfolio. You will shape technical strategy, manage cross‑disciplinary teams, and direct risk management and program execution. Office of the Chief Engineer focus areas include open‑ended problems and strong customer communications.

The ideal candidate has extensive missile/hypersonic development experience, superb leadership, and the ability to coordinate with government and industry partners. U.S.

Qualifications

• Strong leadership with balance of cost, schedule, and technical performance.
• System integrator experience.
• Missile and/or hypersonic flight vehicle development experience.
• Domain expertise in aerodynamics, propulsion, avionics, airframe, GNC.
• Excellent stakeholder management, including government customers.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving for multi-disciplinary challenges.
• Ability to work independently in a dynamic environment.
• US Citizen capable of obtaining a DOD clearance.

Responsibilities

• Drive successful program execution with leadership alignment.
• Apply systems engineering to control scope and risk.
• Lead reviews like Engineering Review Board and gate reviews (SRR, PDR, CDR).
• Lead trade studies and make final technical decisions across disciplines.
• Create engineering staffing plans and identify skill gaps.
• Support whitepapers and proposals.

Skills

Engineering leadership

System integration

Missile/hypersonic development

Cross-functional leadership

Stakeholder management

Education

Bachelor’s degree (B.S.)

Job description

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
• 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)

• Paid Maternity and Parental Leave
• 50% company match per contributed dollar into 401(k) savings plan, up to $11,500

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 somepositions with a government clearance and certain other restricted positions.

Equal Employment Opportunity is the Law: