Hypersonic Project Engineer: Systems Leadership & Risk

Stratolaunch; California; Hybrid; USD 85,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Stratolaunch seeks a Project Engineer to lead hypersonic air vehicle program activities and support the Chief Engineer. You will help develop technical strategies, manage risk, oversee the project supply chain, and communicate with customers.

The role requires collaboration with engineering disciplines, program management, and leadership to drive program execution and successful reviews.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in aerospace engineering or related field.
• Experience as project engineer or program integrator with prime contractor.
• Demonstrated vendor/subcontractor management experience.
• Experience maintaining/testing aerospace platforms and systems.
• Excellent communication with customers and stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Partner with leadership to ensure successful customer program execution.
• Coordinate across disciplines (aerodynamics, propulsion, avionics, structures, controls).
• Support BOM development and vendor selection for manufacturing.
• Assist test planning and execution (ground/flight).
• Contribute to business proposals and planning.
• Participate in technical reviews and gate processes (SRR, PDR, CDR).

Skills

Project management

Aerospace engineering

Vendor management

Systems integration

Strong communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in aerospace engineering

Tools

MS Project/Primavera

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 Project Engineer to be a high-impact technical leader for hypersonic air vehicle programs. This position will support the Chief Engineer directly and will be trusted to help develop and execute technical strategies for open-ended problems, manage risk, manage the supply chain for the project, and to communicate successfully with internal and external customers. The ideal candidate is a demonstrated leader and team player comfortable with setting and tracking program execution tasks, working with vendors, and interacting with all engineering disciplines, program management, and technical leadership.

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES

• Partner with Program Director/Manager/Chief Engineer and support functions to achieve successful customer program execution
• Familiarity with a wide breadth of disciplines to include: aerodynamics, propulsion, avionics, structures, controls and aero-thermodynamics
• Capable of supporting Bill of Materials development and identifying and managing vendors to support the design effort and prepare designs for manufacturing
• Support test planning and execution as required (ground and flight)
• Support business proposals and planning
• Support successful technical meetings and reviews such as Engineering Review Board phase-gate technical

reviews. (e.g., SRR, PDR, CDR)

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Outstanding communication and interpersonal skills
• Experience as a project engineer or similar role with a prime contractor or as a program integrator
• Demonstrated experience managing support vendors and/or subcontrators
• Experience maintaining, modifying, or testing aerospace platforms
• Ability to interact with customers and/or external stakeholders
• Ability to work on a team in a dynamic environment to achieve business goals
• US Citizen with the ability to obtain a DOW security clearance

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Demonstrated success as a Project Engineer of a development project
• 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 DOW security clearance
• Experience with Siemens NX/Teamcenter

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE:

• Sr Level ($123,000 - $153,700): Bachelor’s degree (B.S.) from accredited institution and 5-10 years of

relevant experience, OR equivalent combination of education and experience.

• Staff Level ($151,000 - $185,700): 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. - An on-site work arrangement is strongly preferred with the possibility of

occasional remote work not exceeding one (1) day per week.

• 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 some positions with a government clearance and certain other restricted positions.

Equal Employment Opportunity is the Law: