Principal Manufacturing Engineer, Mechanical

Stratolaunch- Huntsville; Mojave (CA); On-site; USD 152,000 - 205,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Healthcare

Paid maternity/paternity leave

401(k) match up to $11,500

Tuition reimbursement

Job summary

Stratolaunch is seeking a Principal Manufacturing Engineer, Mechanical to lead a team and own the development of manufacturing instructions for complex aerospace structures and systems. You will drive documentation quality, CAD data usage, and shop-floor support across multiple programs in Mojave, CA.

The role requires deep experience with aerospace manufacturing, electrical systems, and liaison support to production, with frequent collaboration across disciplines.

Qualifications

• Knowledge of mechanical engineering, systems, experimental aircraft or launch vehicle integration.
• Experience with aerospace production documentation (drawings and work orders).
• Experience with PDM systems and engineering control and revision release processes.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a security clearance.
• Experience creating detailed shop work instructions.

Responsibilities

• Lead a team of 5-10 Manufacturing Engineers on Stratolaunch programs.
• Create drawings and work instructions for tooling for production.
• Reference 3D CAD models and integrate into 2D environments.
• Support shop as ME liaison to troubleshoot documentation issues.
• Troubleshoot electrical and avionics ground test issues.
• Develop test plans and procedures; support hypersonic vehicle testing.
• Travel as needed (≤5%).

Skills

Mechanical manufacturing build, test,

Lab equipment

3D CAD

MS Office

PDM systems

Electrical systems experience

Aerospace hardware

Security clearance readiness

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering or related field

Tools

Mentor Graphics

NX/SolidWorks/CATIA

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 Principal Manufacturing Engineer, Mechanical to support the design, integration, testing, and maintenance of one of our carrier or hypersonic vehicle structures and mechanical systems. In this role, you will be responsible for the following:

• Work Instructions - detailed documentation to be released to the electrical and production shop for manufacturing-related information for production, testing, or tooling.
• Experience with mechanical and mechanical system interfaces and integration.
• Mechanical manufacturing processes to define company practices and preferred manufacturing methods (shop).
• Liaison engineering support in the electrical shop to provide technicians with sufficient support to complete the task at hand.
• Source and support purchase activities for mechanical and system components from released engineering documentation and manufacturing-related tasks for shop support (shop setup activities, tooling, etc.).
• Evaluation of a broad range of technical data and interaction with different disciplines involved in the design, purchasing, manufacturing, integration, and testing of our vehicle(s).
• Analyze and verify that all engineering requirements are met to estimate fabrication time and producibility within the margins of cost and schedule.

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES

• Lead a team of 5-10 Manufacturing Engineers on various programs/projects to support Stratolaunch.
• Assign scope based on programmatic demand and appropriate skill sets within the Manufacturing Engineering team.
• Ensure clear, concise work instructions are provided to internal counterparts and that redline incorporation and standards are met.
• Manage work instructions for projects to fabricate, install, or modify mechanical systems and mechanical structures.
• Create drawings and work instructions for tooling that supports the build phase of a production effort.
• Reference 3D CAD models and integrate them into 2D environments.
• Support the shop by acting as the Manufacturing Engineering liaison to troubleshoot documentation issues and provide real-time support on the shop floor.
• Troubleshoot electrical and avionics ground test issues.
• Develop test plans and procedures, as required.
• Support hypersonic vehicle integrated testing, as required.
• Support mechanical and system design efforts, as required.
• Contribute to shop layout, setup, and improvement efforts, as required.
• Provide regular and comprehensive communication to leadership.
• Contribute to the integration of complex aerospace systems.
• Travel, as needed, to support the department.
• 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, skills, and/or abilities 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: mechanical engineering, systems, experimental aircraft, and/or launch vehicle integration.
• Experience with aerospace production documentation (drawings and work orders).
• Experience with PDM systems and engineering control and revision control release processes.
• Experience integrating launch vehicle or aircraft payload mechanical systems and control systems.
• Experience with the creation of detailed shop work instructions.
• Familiarity with common aerospace hardware such as connectors, relays, wire types, and structures.
• Direct hands-on experience with aircraft electrical systems, payload installation, and industry best practices.
• Facilitation skills and the ability to communicate technical challenges and guidance to varied audiences to gain support or resolve concerns.
• Ability to work on your own initiative and prioritize tasking to fit within business goals and various programs simultaneously.
• Experience with complex, fast-paced aerospace system development.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a security clearance.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Active security clearance.

Required Skills:

• Mechanical manufacturing build, test, and DFM.
• Lab equipment: oscilloscopes, multimeters, AC/DC power supplies, signal generators.
• Familiarity with 3D CAD.
• MS Office (Word, Excel, Outlook).

Preferred Skills:

• Siemens Capital/Mentor Graphics.
• 3D CAD modeling experience - NX, CATIA, or SolidWorks.
• LabVIEW.
• Familiarity with configuration management systems - Jira (preferred).

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE

Principal ($152,212-$204,589): Minimum of 12 years of related experience plus a B.S. degree in Engineering or a related field, or 12+ years of relevant experience in an engineering discipline and the ability to design, analyze, and/or test. Experience may be traded for subject matter expertise or significant technical and managerial leadership capabilities.

Special Remarks Regarding Work Environment, if Applicable

Position is on-site and based in Mojave, CA.

Travel, as needed, to support the department; travel is estimated to <5%.

**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