Environmental Test Engineer

Stratolaunch; California; On-site; USD 90,000 - 170,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Healthcare (medical, dental, vision)

401(k) match

Tuition reimbursement

Job summary

Stratolaunch seeks an Environmental Test Engineer to lead qualification and acceptance testing of avionics hardware across development stages. You will partner with avionics, systems, and environmental-analysis teams to translate requirements into test programs, design test systems, execute tests, and document results.

The role focuses on qualification planning, instrumentation, automation using Python, and adherence to RCC-324, RCC-319, and MIL-STD-461 standards, with on-site work in Mojave,

Qualifications

• Experience in electrical engineering, software engineering, avionics, experimental aircraft, or launch-vehicle integration.
• Experience designing, integrating, or operating electrical test and instrumentation systems such as NI cDAQ or comparable data-acquisition platforms.
• Experience supporting environmental test campaigns including thermal cycling, random vibration, shock, thermal vacuum, or similar testing.
• Ability to troubleshoot electrical, software, instrumentation, and hardware-in-the-loop test issues.
• Ability to write clear technical documentation including test procedures, reports, and discrepancy/anomaly documentation.

Responsibilities

• Own qualification and acceptance test planning, execution, analysis, and reporting for avionics components and assemblies.
• Collaborate with avionics engineers and environmental analysts to define verification requirements, test objectives, instrumentation, and success criteria.
• Develop qualification and acceptance test plans, procedures, test reports, and supporting documentation.
• Design and support the build of electrical test systems, including instrumentation, harnessing, fixtures, and data-acquisition systems.
• Develop Python-based scripts and tools for test data collection, analysis, and limited automation.
• Support functional, thermal, vibration, shock, and thermal-vacuum testing, including troubleshooting and test anomaly resolution.
• Review test configurations and results for compliance with RCC-324, RCC-319, MIL-STD-461, DO-160, and related requirements.
• Communicate test status, risks, anomalies, and recommendations to engineering and program stakeholders.

Skills

Electrical engineering

Software engineering

Avionics

Instrumentation systems

Environmental testing

Troubleshooting

Test documentation

Python scripting

DoW security clearance

Education

Bachelor’s degree in engineering

Tools

NI cDAQ

Python

PyVISA/VISA

SCPI

Electrical schematics

Test fixtures

Wiring drawings

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.

To help achieve these efforts, we are seeking an Environmental Test Engineer to lead the qualification and acceptance testing of avionics hardware throughout its development lifecycle. This role partners with avionics, systems, environmental-analysis, and integration engineers to translate requirements into practical test programs; design and build test systems; execute environmental and functional tests; and document results.

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES

On-site

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.

To help achieve these efforts, we are seeking an Environmental Test Engineer to lead the qualification and acceptance testing of avionics hardware throughout its development lifecycle. This role partners with avionics, systems, environmental-analysis, and integration engineers to translate requirements into practical test programs; design and build test systems; execute environmental and functional tests; and document results.

• Own qualification and acceptance test planning, execution, analysis, and reporting for avionics components and assemblies.

• Collaborate with avionics engineers and environmental analysts to define verification requirements, testobjectives, instrumentation, andsuccess criteria.

• Developqualificationand acceptance test plans, procedures, test reports, and supporting documentation.

• Designandsupport thebuildof electrical test systems, including instrumentation, harnessing, fixtures, and data‑acquisition systems.

• Develop Python-based scripts and tools for test data collection, analysis, and limited automation.

• Support functional, thermal, vibration, shock, and thermal‑vacuum testing, including troubleshooting and test anomaly resolution.

• Review test configurations and results for compliance with applicable qualification standards, including RCC-324, RCC-319, MIL-STD-461, and related customer or program requirements.

• Communicate test status, risks, anomalies, and recommendations to engineering and program stakeholders.

QUALIFICATIONS & 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 in one or more relevant disciplines, including electrical engineering, software engineering, avionics, experimentalaircraft, or launch-vehicle integration.

• Experience designing, integrating, oroperatingelectrical test and instrumentation systems, such as NIcDAQor comparable data‑acquisition platforms.
• Experience supporting environmental test campaigns, including thermal cycling, random vibration, shock, thermal vacuum, or similar testing.

• Ability to troubleshoot electrical, software, instrumentation, and hardware‑in‑the‑loop test issues.
• Ability to write clear technical documentation, including test procedures, reports, and discrepancy/anomaly documentation.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Familiarity with aerospace environmental, EMC/EMI, or qualification standards, such as RCC-324, RCC-319, MIL-STD-461, DO-160, or similar.

• Experience automating test equipment using Python,PyVISA/VISA, SCPI, or comparable tools and protocols.
• Experience creating or reviewing electrical schematics, test fixtures, cable/harness drawings, and wiring documentation.

• Familiarity with aerospace electrical hardware, including connectors, relays, wire types, shielding, grounding, and bonding practices.
• Experience with test-data analysis, post-test reporting, and failure investigation.

• Strong communicationskills and the ability to explain technical challenges, risks, and recommendations to cross-functional stakeholders.
• Ability to work independently, prioritize effectively, and execute against program schedule and business goals.

• Ability to obtain and maintain a DoW security clearance

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE

• Level I ($79,700-$101,600): Bachelor’s degree (B.S.) from accredited institution and 1-2 years of relevant experience, OR equivalent combination of education and experience

• Level II ($91,000-$117,700): Bachelor’s degree (B.S.) from accredited institution and 2-5 years of relevant experience, OR equivalent combination of education and experience

• Sr Level ($108,800-$114,100): Bachelor’s degree (B.S.) from accredited institution and 5-8 years of relevant experience, OR equivalent combination of education and experience

• Staff Level ($132,600-$175,500): Bachelor’s degree (B.S.) from accredited institution and 8+ years of relevant experience, OR equivalent combination of education and experience

Special remarks regarding work environment, if applicable

• Position on-site based in Mojave, CA

• Travel, as needed, to support the department. Travel estimated to be <5%

• 9/80 schedule

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