Engineering Vehicle Test Lead

Stratolaunch; Mojave (CA); On-site; USD 121,000 - 158,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid maternity and parental leave

401(k) company match

Job summary

Stratolaunch is seeking a Sr- or Staff-level Test Engineer to lead the Talon‑A air‑launched, hypersonic vehicle testing. The role focuses on vehicle integration, test planning, and collaboration with a multi-disciplinary team to ensure data-driven testing outcomes.

Ideal candidates have experience in aerospace test programs, familiarity with avionics and software, and the ability to obtain/maintain a security clearance. Travel is limited, and compensation is positioned by experience and location.

Qualifications

• Experience in small, dynamic engineering teams.
• Previous test experience (vehicle integration, ground or flight testing).
• Familiarity with avionics, instrumentation, software, fluid systems, structures.
• Ability to quickly adapt to changing priorities.
• Ability to acquire and maintain a security clearance.
• Proficiency with MS Office; CAD and configuration/manage­ment tools listed.

Responsibilities

• Collaborates with systems engineering and test team to define and implement vehicle integration and test activities.
• Maintains an up-to-date test objective database with multidisciplinary input.
• Ensures testing meets vehicle requirements and standards.
• Participates in test planning, TRRs, test execution, troubleshooting and data reviews.
• Architects data review methodology and tools; analyzes data effectively.

Skills

Test experience

Avionics familiarity

Ability to adapt

Security clearance readiness

Education

Bachelor’s degree (B.S.)

5–10 years relevant experience

Tools

CAD (SolidWorks)

Jira

Jama/Cameo/DOORS

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 Sr- or Staff-level Test Engineer to lead the Talon-A air-launched, hypersonic vehicle testing. An ideal candidate will have experience in vehicle integration and test. This role involves interfacing with a multi-disciplinary engineering team and program management.

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES

• Collaborates with the systems engineering, test team responsible engineers, and program leadership to define and implement vehicle integration and test activities
• Collaborates with a multi-disciplinary engineering team to produce and maintain an up-to-date test objective database
• Ensures vehicle is tested in a manner to meet vehicle requirements
• Participates in test planning, Test Readiness Reviews (TRRs), test execution, vehicle troubleshooting and post-test data reviews
• Architects and optimizes data review methodology, as well as data review and data analysis tools
• Understands connections and dependences between subsystems
• Sets standards for test planning and documentation and ensure those standards are met
• Demonstrate honesty, responsibility, and integrity in the fulfillment of commitments

QUALIFICATION & SKILLS

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential responsibility satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Required Qualifications

• Experience working in small, dynamic engineering teams where each member often has multiple responsibilities
• Previous test experience (e.g. vehicle integration testing, ground testing, and/or flight testing)
• Familiarity with avionics, instrumentation, software, fluid systems, liquid rockets, and/or structures (listed in order of priority)
• Ability to quickly adapt to changing priorities
• Ability to acquire and maintain a security clearance

Required Skills

• MS Office (Word, Excel, Powerpoint, Outlook)
• Familiarity with CAD (Solidworks preferred)
• Familiarity with configuration management systems such as Jira
• Familiarity with requirement management systems such as Jama, Cameo, DOORS, etc.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience as a Test Conductor
• Experience contributing to the systems engineering content for a major technical review such as System Requirements Review, Preliminary Design Review or Critical Design Review
• Experience maintaining aerospace industry standards for vehicle configuration and changes
• Experience with air-launched hypersonic vehicle development
• Experience with technical risk identification, management, and mitigation
• Experience defining, managing, and verifying requirements for hypersonic vehicles with hot-structure airframes
• Current DOD Secret security clearance

Preferred Skills

• Experience programming (Matlab, Python)
• Experience with CAD (Solidworks preferred)
• Experience with configuration management systems such as Jira
• Experience with requirement management systems such as Jama, Cameo, DOORS, etc.

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE

• Sr-level ($120,500-158,000): Bachelor’s degree (B.S.) from accredited institution and 5-10 years of relevant experience, OR equivalent combination of education and experience
• 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

Special remarks regarding work environment, if applicable

• This position is located in Mojave, CA
• 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.

Equal Employment Opportunity is the Law

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.