Hypersonic Mechanical Lead - Stratolaunch : Job Details

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 Senior or Staff-level Structural or Mechanical Engineer to lead the structures team in the continued development of the air-launched, Talon-A hypersonic flight vehicle development program. This position requires leading a multi-disciplined group of engineers to design, build, integrate, and test vehicles and payloads to meet customer structural requirements. An ideal candidate has prototype development or small scale-production experience, with 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 to lead the program to a successful outcome

• Lead a diverse team of mechanical engineers, structural engineers, structural analysts, dynamics analysts, and manufacturing engineers

• Lead structural development of the hypersonic vehicle and integration of payloads, including trade studies and structural layout

• Responsible for making final 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.

• Management of Talon-A structures team ( 1:1s, reviews, etc .)

• Regular and comprehensive communication to program Chief Engineer

• Contribute to the integration of complex aerospace systems

• Travel, as needed, to support the program

• 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

• Significant experience with the rapid development of prototype or experimental flight vehicles, including full life-cycle involvement on at least one program

• Significant experience as a design engineering and/or analyst lead on a structures team

• Experience with composite structures analysis, design, and manufacturing

• 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

• Excellent written & verbal communication

• Ability to acquire and maintain a security clearance

• Ability to work on your own initiative and prioritize tasking to fit within the business goals

• Complex aerospace system development

• Ability to quickly adapt to changing priorities

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience with hypersonic and/or supersonic vehicle development

• Experience with air-launched vehicle development

• Experience with BMI or epoxy pre-preg composites

• Experience with static structural testing

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 Computer Skills:

• Experience with FEMAP and NX NASTRAN

• Programming - Python, C++, or Matlab

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE

• Sr. Level - ($117,000-$153,500): Bachelor's degree (B.S.) from accredited institution and 5-10 years of engineering experience, OR equivalent combination of education and experience

• Staff Level - ($152,500-$200,000): 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, minimally 75% on-site

• Travel, as needed, to support the department. Travel estimated to be