Airframe Lead

Location: Mojave

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
** Staff or Principal-level Mechanical Engineer
** to lead the airframe team in the development of an air-launched, hypersonic flight vehicle development program. This position requires leading a multi-disciplined group of engineers to design, build, and test vehicles to meet customer structural requirements. An ideal candidate has significant prototype development experience, with focus in thermal-structural-mechanical design, leading to first flights.
** ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES** + Lead a diverse team of mechanical and manufacturing engineers + Lead structural development of the hypersonic vehicle, 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 through manufacturing and into 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.

+ Work hand-in-hand with the program responsible engineers and Chief Engineer to lead the program to a successful outcome + Regular and comprehensive communication to program Chief Engineer + 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: mechanical design, structures, mechanical systems, structural-thermal analysis, 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 lead and/or analyst on a structures team +

Experience with metallic structures design, analysis, 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 + 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 composite structures design, analysis, and manufacturing +

Experience with personnel management and small team leadership + Active Secret, TS, and/or SCI security clearance
** Required Computer

Skills:

** + 3D CAD experience ( _Siemens NX and Teamcenter preferred_ ) + MS Office ( _Word, Excel, PPT, Outlook_ ) + Configuration management systems such as JIRA, GIT, JAMA, etc.
** Preferred Computer

Skills:

** +

Experience with FEMAP, Nastran
** EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE** +
** Staff-level** ($157,000-$206,000):
Bachelor's degree (B.S.) from accredited institution and 10-20 years of relevant experience, OR equivalent combination of education and experience +
** Principal Level** ($181,000-$237,300):
Bachelor's degree (B.S.) from accredited institution and 20+ years of engineering experience, OR equivalent combination of education and experience
** Special remarks regarding work environment:** + Position based in Mojave, CA + Consideration for hybrid ( _partial remote/on-site work_ ) work location arrangement at ~75-80% on-site time for highly-qualified candidates ( _four days per week on-site_ ) + Travel, as needed, to support the department, travel estimated to be