Avionics Engineer - Payloads

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.

Stratolaunch is seeking a Level I, II, or Sr-level Avionics or Flight Test Instrumentation Engineer to support the design, build, integration, and testing of experimental customer payloads on the Talon-A hypersonic vehicles. This position involves working with a multi-disciplinary engineering team, program management, and customers. An ideal candidate exudes passion and an interest in aviation.

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES

Evaluate experimental payload requirements to determine fit for integration onto a hypersonic test bed.

Work across many teams and subsystems to define and implement collection and recording of experimental payload data

Contribute to instrumentation and telemetry (data) system requirements development, design, testing, & operation for customer payloads

Develop and support instrumentation and telemetry tests

Make suggestions and recommendations for improvements, including changes to workflow

Support Talon-A Payload Integration Lead

Support technical customer reviews and ensure contract deliverables are on time and meet or exceed customer expectations

Analyze flight data and generate reports for customers

Be an effective and professional representative of the company

Travel, as needed, to support the company

Demonstrate honesty, responsibility, integrity and fulfillment of commitments

QUALIFICATION & 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

Experience in instrumentation, telemetry, or network engineering in an operational or regulated test environment.

Experience with data acquisition systems and dataloggers

Experience working with government procurement processes

Experience writing system requirements or ability to effectively elicit requirements from a customer

Experience with designing test equipment to support both bench and in vehicle testing of electronic assemblies

Excellent written and verbal communication

Ability to acquire and maintain a DOW security clearance

Required Skills

Proficiency with at least one programming language, including but not limited to C/C++/C#, Python

Experience with source control systems such as git

Fundamental experience with laboratory equipment (e.g. oscilloscope, benchtop power supplies, etc.)

Proficiency with MS Office (Word, Excel, Outlook, Powerpoint, Visio)

Preferred Qualifications

Flight test program experience or Mission Control Room console experience

Experience designing & manufacturing aircraft harnesses

Aircraft and/or launch vehicle development or design experience (electrical, structures, or propulsion systems)

Experience with integration and test of payloads onto vehicles

Expertise with RF devices such as transmitters, receivers, encoders/decoders, or similar

Experience with environmental qualification of electronic devices intended for flight vehicles.

Hands-on aircraft build, piloting, or flight test experience

Active DOW TS/SCI security clearance

Preferred Skills

Experience with Curtiss-Wright or Safran Data Acquisition Units

Experience with NI LabVIEW and NI DAQmx

Experience with requirements management tools such as JAMA or Doors

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE

Level I ($86,000-$103,800): Bachelor’s degree (B.S.) from accredited institution and 0-2 years of engineering experience, OR equivalent combination of education and experience

Level II ($97,500-$120,000): Bachelor’s degree (B.S.) from accredited institution and 2-5 years of engineering experience, OR equivalent combination of education and experience

Sr Level ($120,000-$147,600): Bachelor’s degree (B.S.) from accredited institution and 5-10 years of engineering experience, OR equivalent combination of education and experience

Special remarks regarding work environment, if applicable

This position is located in Mojave, CA. Consideration for hybrid work arrangement with at least 75% on-site time for well-qualified candidates.

Travel estimated to be <10% in support of the program

9/80 schedule

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 :

https://www.dol.gov/ofccp/regs/compliance/posters/pdf/eeopost.pdf