Flight Test Engineer

About the Role Flight Test Engineer at Stratolaunch to enable development and flight testing of hypersonic aircraft systems. You will provide leadership in the control room as a Test Conductor or other lead during flight test and air-launch missions, and play a major role in developing test plans, schedules, and mission procedures while ensuring compliance with approved launch license procedures. You will work with a small, agile design-to-flight team to bring unique aircraft from initial flight to operational use. What You'll Do

• Lead the mission control room team as a Test Conductor or similar operational role during experimental flight tests of the Roc carrier aircraft and/or Talon hypersonic testbeds.
• Lead the Mission Operations team assigned to a flight or series of flights as the main liaison to program management.
• Ensure safe and effective conduct of ground and flight test missions, and provide engineering support from the mission control room.
• Develop depth of engineering and system knowledge to enable rapid decision-making and task prioritization.
• Lead test or flight readiness reviews prior to test plan execution.
• Coordinate range, airspace, and support resources in support of flight test missions.
• Develop and document procedures for expanded mission control room operations to support air-launch test missions with multiple aircraft and separate control elements.
• Develop and document procedures covering all aspects of test mission execution for the integrated launch system.
• Support development of test strategy and objectives, test plans and mission cards for ground and inflight testing and identify test hazards and mitigation actions.
• Coordinate closely with vehicle engineering teams to define test and data requirements and help identify safety or operational concerns.
• Manage and communicate test-specific vehicle limitations and flight readiness review actions.
• Coordinate on-vehicle test requirements with overall manufacturing and program schedules.
• Mentor less experienced personnel in proper flight test planning and execution.
• Assess readiness of mission control room discipline engineers and support functions.
• Travel, as needed, to support mission planning, launch approval meetings, and other tasks.
• Demonstrate integrity, accountability, and initiative to fulfill commitments. What We're Looking For
• Technical aerospace experience, including training in a technical discipline.
• Ability to analyze and prioritize tasks on their own initiative, and drive projects to completion, to fit within overall business goals.
• Ability to lead a small team, make decisions, communicate requirements, and quickly adapt to changing priorities.
• Previous experience with new, experimental, or modified aircraft, launch vehicles or spacecraft, technical and safety review boards, and configuration control methods.
• Experience with engineering and test data analysis tools such as IADS and MATLAB.
• Knowledge of risk management or safety management systems.
• Have excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Experience leading flight test programs.
• Be able to work irregular hours and travel periodically.
• Ability to obtain a security clearance. Nice to Have
• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, or similar technical foundation.
• Flight Test Engineer graduate of a recognized test pilot school long course.
• Experience as a Test Conductor for a developmental test program.
• Experience as a Flight Test Engineer or control room engineer on an active test program.
• Experience with launch vehicle or aircraft requirements verification.
• Experience with launch vehicle, air-launch, or high-speed flight programs.
• Experience with government flight test organizations, ranges, and procedures.
• Experience operating in a classified work environment or with classified hardware. Compensation & Benefits
• Salary ranges vary by level: Level II ($101,000–$146,500), Sr. Level ($120,000–$158,000), Staff Level ($157,000–$206,000). Base salary and leveling are established on a case-by-case basis.