Chief Engineer, Hypersonic Vehicle

Chief Engineer, Hypersonic Vehicle

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.

Stratolaunch is seeking a Chief Engineer to be a high-impact technical leader for hypersonic air vehicle programs. This position will be the top technical authority and conscience on their development program. This position is trusted to lead people, to develop and execute technical strategies for open-ended problems, manage risk, and to communicate successfully with internal and external customers. The ideal candidate is a demonstrated leader and team player with significant experience across aerospace platforms, possessing a breadth of technical expertise across aircraft systems, aircraft certification, store certification, maintenance, and operations.

Essential Responsibilities:

• Partner with Program Director/Managers and support functions to achieve successful customer program execution
• Experience acting as a program integrator/prime contractor
• Lead trade studies and make final technical decisions, requiring balance across a wide breadth of disciplines to include: aerodynamics, propulsion, avionics, structures, controls and aero-thermodynamics
• Apply Systems Engineering principles to control scope, manage risk, and drive quality technical execution
• Support test planning and execution as required (ground and flight)
• Support business proposals and planning
• Facilitate successful technical meetings and reviews such as Engineering Review Board phase-gate technical reviews. (e.g., SRR, PDR, CDR)
• Create engineering staffing plans and identify skillset gaps in the team
• Effectively collaborate across the enterprise in support of business objectives and program execution

Required Qualifications:

• Outstanding communication and interpersonal skills
• Demonstrated success as an engineering team leader and experience balancing cost, schedule, and technical performance considerations when making decisions
• Demonstrated proficiency as a front-line manager of technical employees
• Experience maintaining, modifying, or testing aerospace platforms
• Experience recruiting and hiring engineers
• Ability to interact with customers and/or external stakeholders
• Demonstrated success applying analytical and critical thinking skills to solve multi-disciplinary, open-ended technical problems
• Ability to work independently in a dynamic environment to achieve business goals
• US Citizen with the ability to obtain a DOD security clearance

Preferred Qualifications:

• Demonstrated success as a Chief Engineer of development programs
• Experience with hypersonic and supersonic vehicle development
• Experience supporting defense contracts and working on classified programs
• Hypersonic/high-speed tactical missile experience highly desirable (e.g. multi-stage systems, hot structure airframes, launch platform integration)
• Experience with rocket propulsion systems
• Active TS/SCI security clearance
• Experience with Siemens NX/Teamcenter

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-$237,300):
  Bachelor's degree (B.S.) from accredited institution and 20+ years of engineering experience, OR equivalent combination of education and experience
• Sr. Principal-Level ($k):
  Bachelor's degree (B.S.) from accredited institution and 25+ years of relevant experience, OR equivalent combination of education and experience.

Special remarks regarding work environment, if applicable:

• Position based in Mojave, CA. It is strongly preferred the candidate be fully on-site. Consideration for hybrid (partial remote/on-site work) work location arrangement at no less than 75-80% on-site time for well-qualified candidates.
• Travel, as needed, to support the department. Travel estimated to be