Sr. Engineering Technician – Lead

Stratolaunch; Mojave (CA); On-site; USD 73,000 - 89,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Maternity and Parental Leave

401(k) company match

Job summary

Stratolaunch seeks a Lead Engineering Technician to supervise and mentor a team supporting the design, integration, testing, and maintenance of the Talon-A hypersonic vehicle. You will oversee environmental testing operations, including thermal, vibration, and shock testing, ensuring aerospace standards are met and documenting results.

Based on Mojave, CA, this on-site role requires strong leadership, hands-on test expertise, and the ability to coordinate test readiness with engineering teams.

Qualifications

• Extensive experience in environmental testing (thermal, vibration, shock) and prior leadership experience.
• Deep knowledge of environmental test methods, standards, and instrumentation.
• Experience integrating and supporting aerospace or complex mechanical/electrical systems.
• Proficiency in creating and reviewing test procedures, work instructions, and technical documentation.
• Strong hands-on experience with test equipment setup, operation, and troubleshooting.
• Proven ability to communicate technical challenges and mentor junior technicians.

Responsibilities

• Supervise and mentor technicians performing environmental testing.
• Oversee test activities including thermal chambers, vibration, and shock equipment; ensure safety and quality compliance.
• Develop and approve test fixtures, procedures, and documentation.
• Coordinate test readiness reviews with engineering teams; act as technical escalation point.
• Travel as needed (<5%) to support department activities.

Skills

Environmental testing

Team leadership

Test instrumentation

DoW clearance

Independent work

Test procedures

Communication

Tools

NI LabVIEW

Curtiss-Wright IADS

NX

CATIA

SolidWorks

Jira

Job description

Stratolaunch accelerates the development of next-generation aerospace and defense technologies through reusable hypersonic flight testing. Our autonomous, air-launched Talon-A vehicles provide access to operationally realistic flight environments at speeds exceeding Mach 5, delivering critical data that helps customers validate system performance and advance technologies toward deployment. Our team brings together expertise in engineering, manufacturing, and flight operations to solve complex challenges and advance capabilities essential to national security.

To help achieve these efforts, Stratolaunch is seeking a Lead Engineering Technician to supervise and mentor a team supporting the design, integration, testing, and maintenance of the Talon-A hypersonic vehicle and related systems. This role will focus on overseeing environmental testing operations—including thermal, vibration, shock, and related test methods—to ensure systems meet rigorous aerospace standards. The Lead Technician will coordinate daily activities, provide technical guidance, and serve as a primary resource for troubleshooting and process improvement.

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES

Supervise and Mentor Technicians

• Lead, train, and mentor a team of engineering technicians performing environmental testing.
• Assign daily tasks, monitor progress, and ensure adherence to safety and quality standards.
• Provide technical guidance and hands‑on support for complex test setups and troubleshooting.
• Foster a collaborative and growth-oriented team environment.

Oversee Environmental Testing Operations

• Coordinate and review test activities, including operation of thermal chambers, vibration tables, shock equipment, and related instrumentation.
• Supervise the execution of thermal cycling, vibration, shock, and combined environment testing per applicable aerospace and industry standards.
• Ensure accurate documentation, analysis, and reporting of test results; review and approve corrective action recommendations.
• Maintain and calibrate test equipment, ensuring compliance with internal and external requirements.

Support Systems Integration and Test Preparation

• Oversee the design and fabrication of test fixtures, support equipment, and instrumentation setups.
• Approve and provide oversight for the creation of test procedures, work instructions, and technical documentation.
• Act as the primary liaison for test readiness reviews and coordination with engineering teams.

Technical Communication and Cross-Functional Leadership

• Serve as the main point of contact for technical escalations and cross-functional coordination.
• Communicate project status, technical challenges, and solutions to engineering leads and management.
• Lead efforts to integrate and validate complex aerospace systems through environmental testing.

Travel and Professionalism

• Travel as needed (<5%) to support department and test activities.
• Demonstrate honesty, responsibility, integrity, and fulfillment of commitments.

QUALIFICATIONS & SKILLS

Required Qualifications:

• Extensive experience in environmental testing (thermal, vibration, shock, etc.) and team leadership or supervisory roles.
• Deep knowledge of environmental test methods, standards, and instrumentation.
• Experience integrating and supporting aerospace or complex mechanical/electrical systems.
• Proficiency in creating and reviewing test procedures, work instructions, and technical documentation.
• Strong hands‑on experience with test equipment setup, operation, and troubleshooting.
• Proven ability to communicate technical challenges and mentor junior technicians.
• Ability to work independently, prioritize tasks, and manage team workload to fit business goals.
• Experience with complex aerospace system development and integration.
• Ability to quickly adapt to changing priorities and lead teams through change.
• Ability to gain and maintain a DoW security clearance.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience with environmental test standards (e.g., RTCA DO-160, MIL-STD-810, RCC-319/324, SSC-S016).
• Active DoW Security clearance.
• Experience with data acquisition systems and advanced test automation techniques.

Required Computer Skills:

• Data acquisition and analysis tools (e.g., NI LabVIEW, Curtiss-Wright IADS, or equivalent).
• Familiarity with 3D CAD for test fixture design.
• MS Office (Word, Excel, Outlook).

Preferred Computer Skills:

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

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE

• Sr Engr Tech ($52.88-$64.90): 10+ years as a technician in a relevant discipline, or equivalent combination of education and experience, with demonstrated leadership and strong proficiency in environmental testing.
• Position is on-site based in Mojave, CA.
• Travel, as needed, to support the department (<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)

• 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.