Mechanical Engineer, Technical Lead
Stratolaunch· Defense & Space· Jul 7, 2026 · 4mo agoPosted 112 days ago
Mojave, California, United States
Hybrid
Full-time
Lead
$157K–$206K
5+ years exp
Before you apply
Ghost Signal:
Open since July 7, 2026 — 112 days, and still accepting applications.
Job description
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. To help achieve these efforts, Stratolaunch is seeking a Sr. or Staff level Structural or Mechanical Engineer to lead continued development and improvements for the small fleet of air-launched, Talon-A hypersonic flight vehicle systems. This position requires leading a multi-disciplined group of engineers to design, build, integrate, and test vehicle and payload system improvements to meet customer requirements and need. An ideal candidate has prototype development or small scale-production experience, with a focus in thermal-structural-mechanical design, leading to first flights.
ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES
Work hand-in-hand with the program responsible engineers, Payload Lead, and Talon-A Chief Engineer
Lead a diverse integrated product team (IPT) of mechanical engineers, structural engineers, structural analysts, dynamics analysts, and manufacturing engineers
Support structural development of the hypersonic vehicle system improvements and integration of payloads, including trade studies and structural layout
Responsible for making technical decisions for the structures subsystem
Lead the successful execution of structural design reviews to advance the program vehicles through manufacturing and flight test
Lead structural systems engineering approach, which may include: creating and dispositioning structural requirements, mass properties management, guiding the configuration management of models, reviewing and approving documents/reports/analyses, setting engineering and design best practices and standards for the structures team, waiving or approving ground testing based on structural technical risk assessments, etc.
Regular and comprehensive communication to program Chief Engineer
Contribute to the integration of complex aerospace systems
Demonstrate honesty, responsibility, integrity, and fulfillment of commitments
QUALIFICATIONS & SKILLS
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential responsibility satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Required Qualifications:
Knowledge of, and experience with, one or more of these disciplines: structures, loads, structural-thermal analysis, mechanical systems, aircraft systems, aircraft operations, launch vehicle integration
Experience with the rapid development of prototype or experimental flight vehicles
Experience as a structural or mechanical design engineer on a structures team
Experience with composite structures analysis, design, and manufacturing
Technical leadership experience
Experience with technical aerospace leadership, including working with sub-contractors
Experience with risk management
Experience working in small engineering teams where each member often has multiple responsibilities
Ability to work on your own initiative and prioritize tasking to fit within the business goals
Ability to quickly adapt to changing priorities
Excellent written & verbal communication
Ability to acquire and maintain a security clearance
Required Computer Skills:
MS Office (Word, Excel, PPT, Outlook)
Configuration management systems such as JIRA, GIT, JAMA, etc.
3D CAD experience - CATIA or Solidworks
Preferred Qualifications:
Experience with hypersonic and/or supersonic vehicle development, including a full life cycle of the program
Experience with air-launched vehicle development
Experience with BMI or epoxy pre-preg composites
Experience with static structural testing
Active security clearance
Preferred Computer Skills:
Experience with FEMAP and NX NASTRAN
Experience with PLM tool like TeamCenter
Programming - Python, C++, or MATLAB
EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE
Sr Level ($120,500-$158,000): Bachelor’s degree (B.S.) from accredited institution and 5-10 years of engineering experience, OR equivalent combination of education and experience
Staff Level ($157,000-$206,000): Bachelor’s degree (B.S.) from accredited institution and 10-20 years of engineering experience, OR equivalent combination of education and experience
Special remarks regarding work environment, if applicable
Position based in Mojave, CA
Consideration for hybrid work schedule for a well-qualified candidate
Travel, as needed, to support the department. Travel estimated to be
#LIOnsite
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. Benefits and our location(s) :
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
This position may involve the operation of company vehicles as part of assigned duties.
Mojave Air & Spaceport is located just outside of Lancaster/Palmdale and is only 95 miles north of Los Angeles. The area offers both affordability and central access to a variety of California's best attractions and landmarks.
Not much for the outdoors and prefer the city life? You’re within a half day’s drive or less of Los Angeles, San Diego, Las Vegas, and San Francisco where you can find a variety of live entertainment, museums, tours, and historical sight-seeing. Theme parks are in abundance, with Six Flags Magic Mountain, Disneyland, and Knotts Berry Farm ready to meet the needs of rollercoaster thrill seekers.
Food and drink fanatics are in a haven of delectable choices. Wine aficionados will also find easy access to some of the state’s best vino in Paso Robles, Santa Ynez, and even more locally in Tehachapi and Agua Dulce. Beer fanatics will find some of the best West Coast IPAs at Bravery and Lucky Luke’s in Lancaster. Any food option you crave is covered, and we always recommend the authentic and fresh Mexican food that you won’t find anywhere else in the United States.
Stratolaunch is an equal opportunity employer that values diversity at our company. We encourage people from all walks of life to apply, without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, disability or any other characteristic protected by law. Our management team does not tolerate discrimination or harassment at any point during our employees’ and applicants’ time with us, especially with respect to recruitment, hiring, placement, promotion, transfer, training, compensation, benefits, employee activities, and general treatment during employment. For purposes of transparency, U.S. Citizenship may be required for some positions with a government clearance and certain other restricted positions.
Equal Employment Opportunity is the Law :
dol.gov
Application prep
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Benefits
Benefits detected in the listing.
Dental
Vision
401(K)
Parental Leave