Principal Manufacturing Engineer, Mechanical

Stratolaunch • Mojave, CA

8d • $152,212 - $204,589 • Onsite

About The Position

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 Principal Manufacturing Engineer, Mechanical to support the design, integration, testing, and maintenance of one of our carrier or hypersonic vehicle structures and mechanical systems. In this role, you will be responsible for the following:
Work Instructions - detailed documentation to be released to the electrical and production shop for manufacturing-related information for production, testing, or tooling.
Ability to fully define a manufacturing process step-by-step.
Ability to identify design solutions, alternate part numbers, and fully integrate them into Stratolaunch products/programs.
Ability to produce engineering documentation following industry standards (section views, detail views, flag notes, etc.).
Process improvement documentation to establish production line standardization efforts.
Experience with mechanical and mechanical system interfaces and integration.
Mechanical manufacturing processes to define company practices and preferred manufacturing methods (shop).
Aerospace industry standards implementation.
Desktop and shop aid documentation to support current workflows.
Liaison engineering support in the electrical shop to provide technicians with sufficient support to complete the task at hand.
Explain mechanical manufacturing processes from Stratolaunch and aerospace industry standards.
Redline released engineering documentation.
Source and support purchase activities for mechanical and system components from released engineering documentation and manufacturing-related tasks for shop support (shop setup activities, tooling, etc.).
Evaluation of a broad range of technical data and interaction with different disciplines involved in the design, purchasing, manufacturing, integration, and testing of our vehicle(s).
Analyze and verify that all engineering requirements are met to estimate fabrication time and producibility within the margins of cost and schedule.
ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES
Lead a team of 5-10 Manufacturing Engineers on various programs/projects to support Stratolaunch.
Assign scope based on programmatic demand and appropriate skill sets within the Manufacturing Engineering team.
Ensure clear, concise work instructions are provided to internal counterparts and that redline incorporation and standards are met.
Manage work instructions for projects to fabricate, install, or modify mechanical systems and mechanical structures.
Create drawings and work instructions for tooling that supports the build phase of a production effort.
Reference 3D CAD models and integrate them into 2D environments.
Support the shop by acting as the Manufacturing Engineering liaison to troubleshoot documentation issues and provide real-time support on the shop floor.
Troubleshoot electrical and avionics ground test issues.
Develop test plans and procedures, as required.
Support hypersonic vehicle integrated testing, as required.
Support mechanical and system design efforts, as required.
Contribute to shop layout, setup, and improvement efforts, as required.
Provide regular and comprehensive communication to leadership.
Contribute to the integration of complex aerospace systems.
Travel, as needed, to support the department.
Demonstrate honesty, responsibility, integrity, and fulfillment of commitments.

Requirements

• Knowledge of and experience with one or more of these disciplines: mechanical engineering, systems, experimental aircraft, and/or launch vehicle integration.
• Experience with aerospace production documentation (drawings and work orders).
• Experience with PDM systems and engineering control and revision control release processes.
• Experience integrating launch vehicle or aircraft payload mechanical systems and control systems.
• Experience with the creation of detailed shop work instructions.
• Familiarity with common aerospace hardware such as connectors, relays, wire types, and structures.
• Direct hands-on experience with aircraft electrical systems, payload installation, and industry best practices.
• Facilitation skills and the ability to communicate technical challenges and guidance to varied audiences to gain support or resolve concerns.
• Ability to work on your own initiative and prioritize tasking to fit within business goals and various programs simultaneously.
• Experience with complex, fast-paced aerospace system development.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a security clearance.
• Mechanical manufacturing build, test, and DFM.
• Lab equipment: oscilloscopes, multimeters, AC/DC power supplies, signal generators.
• Familiarity with 3D CAD.
• MS Office (Word, Excel, Outlook).

Nice To Haves

• Active security clearance.
• Siemens Capital/Mentor Graphics.
• 3D CAD modeling experience - NX, CATIA, or SolidWorks.
• LabVIEW.
• Familiarity with configuration management systems - Jira (preferred).

Responsibilities

• Lead a team of 5-10 Manufacturing Engineers on various programs/projects to support Stratolaunch.
• Assign scope based on programmatic demand and appropriate skill sets within the Manufacturing Engineering team.
• Ensure clear, concise work instructions are provided to internal counterparts and that redline incorporation and standards are met.
• Manage work instructions for projects to fabricate, install, or modify mechanical systems and mechanical structures.
• Create drawings and work instructions for tooling that supports the build phase of a production effort.
• Reference 3D CAD models and integrate them into 2D environments.
• Support the shop by acting as the Manufacturing Engineering liaison to troubleshoot documentation issues and provide real-time support on the shop floor.
• Troubleshoot electrical and avionics ground test issues.
• Develop test plans and procedures, as required.
• Support hypersonic vehicle integrated testing, as required.
• Support mechanical and system design efforts, as required.
• Contribute to shop layout, setup, and improvement efforts, as required.
• Provide regular and comprehensive communication to leadership.
• Contribute to the integration of complex aerospace systems.
• Travel, as needed, to support the department.
• Demonstrate honesty, responsibility, integrity, and fulfillment of commitments.

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

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Principal