Payload Mechanical Engineer Lead

Stratolaunch, LLC; Mojave (CA); On-site; USD 130,000 - 190,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Healthcare

Paid maternity and parental leave

401(k) matching

Tuition reimbursement

Job summary

Stratolaunch, LLC is seeking a Senior or Staff-level Mechanical or Structural Engineer to lead the Talon A payload integration on a hypersonic platform. You will define interfaces, design and analyze mechanical and avionics packaging, and manage 3D CAD models while coordinating with multidisciplinary teams and customers.

The role emphasizes hands-on integration, collaboration with the Payload Integration Lead, and mentoring junior engineers.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering or equivalent, and 5–20 years of relevant experience depending on seniority.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a security clearance.
• Experience leading mechanical payload integration and cross‑functional teams.

Responsibilities

• Define interface and integration requirements across multiple teams.
• Design and analyze mechanical and avionics packaging for payloads.
• Perform structural and thermal analyses of components and assemblies for the hypersonic vehicle.
• Create and manage 3D CAD sub-models and master models for payloads.
• Order hardware and support fabrication and assembly on the vehicle.
• Resolve interface issues between teams and support field teams during integration.
• Mentor junior engineers and drive design and analysis best practices.
• Support customer reviews and ensure contract deliverables meet requirements.

Skills

3D CAD modeling

Structural analysis

Communication skills

Self-motivated

Security clearance

Education

Bachelor’s degree in engineering

Tools

SolidWorks

NX

FEMAP

Ansys

Jira

Jama

Cameo

DOORS

MS Office

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 Senior or Staff-level Mechanical or Structural Engineer to lead the Talon mechanical interface design and build, for integration of experimental customer payloads on the Talon-A hypersonic vehicles. This position involves working with a multi-disciplinary engineering team, program management, and customers. While this role is primarily mechanical integration focused, an ideal candidate will also have experience with high temperature material properties, system integration and avionics packaging.

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES

• Work across many teams and subsystems to define interface and integration requirements
• Perform the design and analysis, as necessary, of mechanical and avionics packaging of customer payloads
• Perform structural and thermal analysis of mechanical components and/or assemblies including experimental OML changes to the hypersonic airframe.
• Create, organize, and manage 3D CAD sub models and master models for Talon-A payloads
• Spec and order hardware, as required, to fabricate your designs
• Deconflict hardware interface issues between teams by raising and helping correct issues quickly
• Support fabricators and mechanics in building and integrating all components and assemblies onto the vehicle
• Report to and support Talon-A Payload Integration Lead
• Mentor junior Mechanical Payload Engineers to instill best practices for design and analysis approaches.
• Make suggestions and recommendations for improvements, including changes to workflow.
• Support technical customer reviews and ensure contract deliverables are on time and meet or exceed customer requirements
• Provide technical support for payload proposals and contract negotiations
• Travel, as needed, to support the company
• Demonstrate honesty, responsibility, integrity and 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

• Proficient with 3D CAD modeling, assembly management, and PDM
• Ability to communicate technical challenges and guidance to varied audiences to gain support or resolve concerns
• Ability to work on their own initiative and prioritize tasking to fit within the business goals
• Ability to quickly adapt to changing priorities
• Excellent written & verbal communication
• Ability to acquire and maintain a security clearance

Required Skills

• Experience with Solidworks or NX (both preferred)
• Experience with structural analysis methods (hand calcs, FEMAP, Ansys, etc.)
• MS Office (Word, Excel, Powerpoint, Outlook)
• Familiarity with configuration management systems such as Jira
• Familiarity with requirement management systems such as Jama, Cameo, DOORS, etc.
• Design team leadership and project management.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working in small, dynamic engineering teams where each member often has multiple responsibilities
• Active TS/SCI security clearance

Preferred Skills

• Experience with NX and Team Center
• Experience with configuration management systems such as Jira
• Experience with requirement management systems such as Jama, Cameo, DOORS, etc.

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE

• Sr Level ($): Bachelor’s degree (B.S.) from accredited institution and 5-10 years of engineering experience, OR equivalent combination of education and experience
• Staff Level ($) 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 (consideration for hybrid work arrangement with at least 75% on-site time for well-qualified candidates)
• Travel estimated to be <10% in support of the program

#LI-onsite

#LI-EM1

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 (https://www.stratolaunch.com/careers/benefits/) and our location(s) (https://www.stratolaunch.com/careers/locations/)

• 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