Staff Operations Engineer

Stratolaunch, LLC; Mojave (CA); On-site; USD 131,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Healthcare

Paid maternity/parental leave

401(k) matching

Tuition reimbursement

Job summary

Stratolaunch, LLC is seeking an Operations Engineer to lead high-speed test vehicle operations, from planning to execution, ensuring readiness for air-launched missions. The role requires coordinating across vehicle engineering, test teams, and carrier operations to achieve mission goals.

The position emphasizes structured test planning, risk mitigation, and strong communication in a fast-paced aerospace environment, with travel as needed and a pathway to secure a security clearance.

Qualifications

• Proven aerospace leadership experience in a technical operations environment.
• Ability to lead large teams, make decisions, and adapt to changing priorities.
• US Citizenship or ability to obtain/maintain a secret clearance is required.
• Experience with new, experimental, or modified aircraft, launch vehicles or spacecraft.
• Familiarity with engineering, scheduling, and test data analysis tools.

Responsibilities

• Assist in defining test strategy, plans, procedures, and mission cards for ground and flight testing.
• Coordinate with engineering to identify safety and operational concerns.
• Interface with engineers, crew chiefs, and ground staff to align priorities.
• Support readiness reviews and real-time mitigation actions during tests.
• Contribute to risk assessment and mission planning for high-speed vehicles.

Skills

Aerospace leadership

Execution readiness

Test planning

Safety knowledge

Team leadership

Education

Bachelor’s degree in engineering

Tools

Test data analysis tools

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.

As an Operations Engineer, you will accept a critical role in achieving new milestones in aviation and enable development of high-speed test vehicles to be air-launched from Stratolaunch Carrier Aircraft. You will provide effective leadership as the focal point for high-speed vehicle operations planning and execution, to include the potential to act as the liaison to the Test Director for vehicle and mission readiness. You should have experience in test vehicle configuration control, test planning and resourcing, and conducting disciplined, effective developmental flight test operations, or similar experience in a technically demanding high pace environment.

As a key member of the Stratolaunch team, you will have an essential role in meeting our ambitious company objectives. You must establish and maintain effective relationships with colleagues on a small, agile design-to-flight team. You will be challenged with bringing unique and complex aircraft from initial airworthiness to operational use at a company that believes in giving our team members the authority and responsibility to succeed.

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES

• Assist in the implementation of test strategy and objectives, test plans, test procedures, and mission cards for ground and flight testing for high-speed test vehicles
• Coordinate closely with vehicle engineering team to identify system safety and operational concerns
• Interface with multiple engineers, vehicle crew chiefs and ground support personnel to ensure operational priorities are understood and executed
• Provide organization and preparation in support of Test & Flight Readiness Reviews
• Identify test hazards and develop / implement real time mitigation actions
• Support Talon vehicle maintenance & test teams to fulfil operational necessities
• Control on-vehicle priorities and schedules to meet final assembly, test, and flight readiness requirements
• Work closely with the respective vehicle Crew Chiefs to ensure proper vehicle configuration and maintenance is complete to support mission priorities
• Assist with functional system test planning and execution in areas such as avionics, flight control actuation, recovery systems, propulsion integration and propulsion system demonstration activities
• Work with Carrier Aircraft operations teams to ensure successful vehicle mating and integrated systems testing is accomplished
• Respond to emergency situations to ensure the safety of personnel and equipment while assisting as point of contact for first responders; act as mission manager for operations in case of an incident
• Support execution of integrated vehicle ground test activities
• Contribute to high-speed vehicle test data gathering and ensure test results are appropriately reviewed, documented, and controlled
• Provide inputs to refine and mature the high-speed vehicle Concept of Operations including ground and flight operational procedures, timelines, checklists, and emergency response actions, starting from vehicle post manufacture initial testing through recovery of vehicles and return to flight ready state
• Participate in payload customer meetings, including meetings for payload integration/de-integration planning, integrated vehicle testing and data product delivery
• Facilitate payload hardware and software integration and integrated test on high-speed test vehicles
• Assist in evaluation of risks and risk mitigation plans to determine if the risks are appropriate and risk mitigations are adequate
• Travel, as needed, to support design, mission planning, mission execution, and other tasks
• Demonstrate integrity, accountability, and initiative to fulfill commitments
• Develop concept of operations for all launch and recovery locations. This includes coordination among many different teams and external parties

QUALIFICATIONS

• To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty 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

• Proven technical aerospace leadership experience, including supervision and training in a technical operations environment with a focus on execution readiness
• Aptitude to analyze and prioritize tasks on their own initiative, and drive projects to completion, to fit within overall business goals
• Ability to lead a large team, make decisions, communicate requirements, and quickly adapt to changing priorities/real world conditions
• Previous experience with new, experimental, or modified aircraft, launch vehicles or spacecraft, technical and safety review boards, and configuration control methods
• Experience with engineering, scheduling, and test data analysis tools
• Knowledge of risk management or safety management systems
• Have excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Be able to work irregular hours and workdays, and travel periodically
• US Citizenship / Ability to obtain and maintain a secret security clearance
• Critical thinking skills, and problem-solving attitude a must

PREFERRED

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, or similar technical foundation
• Professional Flight Test Course
• Knowledge of launch vehicle or aircraft requirements verification and development of requirements
• Understanding of launch vehicle, air-launch, or high-speed flight programs
• Prior involvement with government flight test organizations, ranges, and procedures
• Experience operating in a classified work environment or with classified hardware
• Previous expeditor or production superintendent familiarity
• Existing TS/SCI Clearance

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE

• Staff Level ($130,800-$150,000): Bachelor’s degree (B.S.) from accredited institution and 8+ years of engineering experience, OR equivalent combination of education and experience

Special remarks regarding work environment

• This position is located in Mojave, CA
• Travel, as needed, to support the department, travel estimated to be <20%
• #LI-Onsite

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.

Benefits (https://www.stratolaunch.com/careers/benefits/)

• 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

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

Job Category: Ground Operations

Req ID: 507