Staff Operations Engineer

Stratolaunch • Mojave, CA

2d • $130,800 - $150,000 • Onsite

About The Position

Stratolaunch develops next-generation aerospace and defense technologies through reusable hypersonic flight testing. Its autonomous, air-launched Talon-A vehicles provide operationally realistic flight environments at speeds exceeding Mach 5.

The Staff Operations Engineer is a technical leadership role focused on planning and executing operations for high-speed test vehicles that are air-launched from Stratolaunch Carrier Aircraft. The engineer serves as a focal point for vehicle operations planning and execution and may act as a liaison to the Test Director for vehicle and mission readiness. The role supports the development of complex aircraft from initial airworthiness through operational use, working with a small, agile design-to-flight team.

The position is based in Mojave, California. Travel is estimated at less than 20% as needed to support the department and mission activities. The position may involve operating company vehicles as part of assigned duties.

Requirements

• Proven technical aerospace leadership experience, including supervision and training in a technical operations environment focused on execution readiness.
• Ability to analyze and prioritize tasks independently, take initiative, and drive projects to completion in alignment with business goals.
• Ability to lead a large team, make decisions, communicate requirements, and adapt quickly to changing priorities and real-world conditions.
• Previous experience with new, experimental, or modified aircraft, launch vehicles, or spacecraft; technical and safety review boards; and configuration-control methods.
• Experience with engineering, scheduling, and test-data analysis tools.
• Knowledge of risk management or safety management systems.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work irregular hours and workdays and travel periodically.
• U.S. citizenship and ability to obtain and maintain a Secret security clearance.
• Critical-thinking skills and a problem-solving attitude.
• For Staff level: bachelor's degree (B.S.) from an accredited institution and 8 or more years of engineering experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Nice To Haves

• Bachelor's degree in engineering or a similar technical foundation.
• Professional Flight Test Course.
• Knowledge of launch-vehicle or aircraft requirements verification and requirements development.
• Understanding of launch-vehicle, air-launch, or high-speed flight programs.
• Prior involvement with government flight-test organizations, ranges, and procedures.
• Experience working in a classified environment or with classified hardware.
• Previous expeditor or production superintendent familiarity.
• Existing TS/SCI clearance.

Responsibilities

• Assist in implementing test strategies and objectives, test plans, test procedures, and mission cards for ground and flight testing of high-speed test vehicles.
• Coordinate with vehicle engineering teams to identify system safety and operational concerns.
• Interface with engineers, vehicle crew chiefs, and ground support personnel to ensure operational priorities are understood and executed.
• Organize and prepare for Test and Flight Readiness Reviews.
• Identify test hazards and develop and implement real-time mitigation actions.
• Support Talon vehicle maintenance and test teams in fulfilling operational needs.
• Control on-vehicle priorities and schedules to meet final assembly, test, and flight-readiness requirements.
• Work with vehicle Crew Chiefs to ensure vehicle configuration and maintenance support mission priorities.
• Assist with functional system test planning and execution, including avionics, flight control actuation, recovery systems, propulsion integration, and propulsion system demonstrations.
• Coordinate with Carrier Aircraft operations teams to support vehicle mating and integrated systems testing.
• Respond to emergencies to help ensure personnel and equipment safety, serve as a point of contact for first responders, and act as mission manager for operations in the event of an incident.
• Support integrated vehicle ground-test activities.
• Contribute to high-speed vehicle test data gathering and ensure results are reviewed, documented, and controlled.
• Help refine and mature the high-speed vehicle Concept of Operations, including ground and flight procedures, timelines, checklists, and emergency response actions, from initial post-manufacture testing through vehicle recovery and return to flight readiness.
• Participate in payload customer meetings on payload integration and de-integration planning, integrated vehicle testing, and data-product delivery.
• Facilitate payload hardware and software integration and integrated testing on high-speed test vehicles.
• Assist in evaluating risks and mitigation plans to determine whether risks are appropriate and mitigations adequate.
• Travel as needed to support design, mission planning and execution, and other tasks.
• Demonstrate integrity, accountability, and initiative in fulfilling commitments.
• Develop concepts of operations for launch and recovery locations, coordinating among internal teams and external parties.

Benefits

• Healthcare coverage, including medical, dental, vision, and prescription drugs.
• Paid maternity and parental leave.
• Company match of 50% per contributed dollar to the 401(k) savings plan, up to $11,500.
• Tuition reimbursement.

What This Job Offers

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