Chief Engineer

Chief Engineer

Mojave, California, United States | Engineering On-site

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 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