Mechanical Engineer, Technical Lead

Stratolaunch; California, Northern (MO, KY); Hybrid; USD 121,000 - 206,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid maternity/paternity leave

401(k) company match

Job summary

Stratolaunch, based near Mojave, CA, seeks a Sr. or Staff level Structural/Mechanical Engineer to lead the Talon-A hypersonic vehicle improvements. You will guide a multi-disciplinary team to design, build, integrate, and test structural and payload systems for first flights.

The role emphasizes prototype development, technical leadership, and collaboration with suppliers. Hybrid schedule possible; travel <10% may be required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering or equivalent.
• 5–10 years of engineering experience for Sr level; 10–20 years for Staff level.
• Experience with prototype or small-scale flight vehicle development.
• Experience leading a structures team and working with subcontractors.
• Ability to acquire and maintain security clearance.

Responsibilities

• Lead IPT of mechanical/structural engineers and analysts.
• Oversee structural development and payload integration.
• Make technical decisions for structures subsystem.
• Lead design reviews through manufacture and flight test.
• Manage models, mass properties, and design standards.
• Communicate progress to the Chief Engineer.
• Contribute to integration of complex aerospace systems.
• Adhere to safety and ethics in all tasks.

Skills

Structures & loads

Thermal-structural analysis

Mechanical design

Aerospace systems

Technical leadership

Risk management

Sub-contractors coordination

Team leadership

Small-team experience

Programming – Python/C++/MATLAB

Education

Bachelor’s degree in engineering

Tools

CATIA

SolidWorks

FEMAP

NX NASTRAN

TeamCenter PLM

Python

C++

MATLAB

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, Stratolaunch is seeking a Sr. or Staff level Structural or Mechanical Engineer to lead continued development and improvements for the small fleet of air-launched, Talon-A hypersonic flight vehicle systems. This position requires leading a multi-disciplined group of engineers to design, build, integrate, and test vehicle and payload system improvements to meet customer requirements and need. An ideal candidate has prototype development or small scale-production experience, with a focus in thermal-structural-mechanical design, leading to first flights.

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES

• Work hand-in-hand with the program responsible engineers, Payload Lead, and Talon-A Chief Engineer
• Lead a diverse integrated product team (IPT) of mechanical engineers, structural engineers, structural analysts, dynamics analysts, and manufacturing engineers
• Support structural development of the hypersonic vehicle system improvements and integration of payloads, including trade studies and structural layout
• Responsible for making technical decisions for the structures subsystem
• Lead the successful execution of structural design reviews to advance the program vehicles through manufacturing and flight test
• Lead structural systems engineering approach, which may include: creating and dispositioning structural requirements, mass properties management, guiding the configuration management of models, reviewing and approving documents/reports/analyses, setting engineering and design best practices and standards for the structures team, waiving or approving ground testing based on structural technical risk assessments, etc.
• Regular and comprehensive communication to program Chief Engineer
• Contribute to the integration of complex aerospace systems
• Demonstrate honesty, responsibility, integrity, and fulfillment of commitments

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:

• Knowledge of, and experience with, one or more of these disciplines: structures, loads, structural-thermal analysis, mechanical systems, aircraft systems, aircraft operations, launch vehicle integration
• Experience with the rapid development of prototype or experimental flight vehicles
• Experience as a structural or mechanical design engineer on a structures team
• Experience with composite structures analysis, design, and manufacturing
• Technical leadership experience
• Experience with technical aerospace leadership, including working with sub-contractors
• Experience with risk management
• Experience working in small engineering teams where each member often has multiple responsibilities
• Ability to work on your own initiative and prioritize tasking to fit within the business goals
• Ability to quickly adapt to changing priorities
• Ability to acquire and maintain a security clearance

Required Computer Skills:

• MS Office (Word, Excel, PPT, Outlook)
• Configuration management systems such as JIRA, GIT, JAMA, etc.
• 3D CAD experience - CATIA or Solidworks

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience with hypersonic and/or supersonic vehicle development, including a full life cycle of the program
• Experience with air-launched vehicle development
• Experience with BMI or epoxy pre-preg composites
• Experience with static structural testing
• Active security clearance

Preferred Computer Skills:

• Experience with FEMAP and NX NASTRAN
• Experience with PLM tool like TeamCenter
• Programming - Python, C++, or MATLAB

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE

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

Special remarks regarding work environment, if applicable

• Position based in Mojave, CA
• Consideration for hybrid work schedule for a well-qualified candidate
• Travel, as needed, to support the department. Travel estimated to <10%

#LIOnsite

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: