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.

Stratolaunch is seeking a high-impact technical leader to be Chief Engineer to support its growing hypersonic targets portfolio. This position will support the Office of the Chief Engineer for targets, with a focus on development programs. In this role, you will be trusted to lead people, develop and execute technical strategies for open-ended problems, manage risk, and communicate successfully with internal and external customers. The ideal candidate is a demonstrated technical leader and team player with significant experience pertinent to air-launched missile and/or target system development.

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES

Partner with Stratolaunch and customer leadership to drive successful program execution
Apply Systems Engineering principles to control scope, manage risk, and drive quality technical execution
Facilitate successful technical meetings and reviews such as Engineering Review Board and technical gate reviews. (e.g., SRR, PDR, CDR)
Lead trade studies and make final technical decisions, requiring balance across a wide breadth of disciplines to include: aerodynamics, propulsion, avionics, airframe, GNC, and payloads
Create engineering staffing plans and identify skillset gaps in the team
Support whitepapers, proposals and other business development activities

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Outstanding communication and interpersonal skills
Demonstrated success as an engineering team leader with experience balancing cost, schedule, and technical performance considerations when making decisions
Experience acting as a system integrator
Experience leading a technical team through missile and/or hypersonic flight vehicle development
Technical subject matter expertise in at least one technical domain of relevance (aerodynamics, propulsion, avionics, airframe, GNC), which sufficient breadth to lead a multi-disciplinary development team.
Ability to effectively manage relationship with key stakeholders, including government customers
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
Experience supporting defense contracts
US Citizen with the ability to obtain a DOD security clearance

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

Demonstrated success as a Chief Engineer on missile and/or hypersonic flight vehicle development programs
Hypersonic/high-speed tactical missile experience highly desirable (e.g. multi-stage systems, hot structure airframes, launch platform integration)
Experience with solid rocket motor propulsion systems
Experience transitioning developmental systems to production
Active TS/SCI security clearance

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE

Principal-Level ($163,000 - $229,352): Bachelor’s degree (B.S.) from accredited institution and 20-25 years of relevant experience, OR equivalent combination of education and experience.
Principal-Level ($205,000 - $294,200): 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

This position is located in Mojave, CA.
Applicants must be a US Person able to obtain a security clearance to be considered for this role.
Travel estimated to be <10% in support of the program.

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.