Flight Sciences Engineer

About this role

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 level II or Sr-level Flight Sciences Engineer to support the conceptual design and aerodynamic analyses of hypersonic vehicles. Candidates must have a strong foundation in aerodynamics and flight mechanics, including stability and control, aerodynamic model development, flight simulation, computation fluid dynamics (CFD), and/or relevant wind tunnel testing.

Experience with aircraft design and aerodynamic/performance analyses across the speed range from subsonic to hypersonic, is highly desired.

As a Flight Science Engineer, you will contribute to a small hypersonic advanced design team, designing current and future Stratolaunch hypersonic vehicles. Your tasking may include conceptual design trade studies, detailed design and analysis tasks, development of analytical tools to support the team, and flight test support of currently operating vehicles.

Essential Responsibilities

• Perform vehicle trajectory analysis and optimization on current and future vehicles
• Contribute to development of aerodynamic databases using analytical, numerical, ground and flight test data
• Perform analytical and numerical analyses to evaluate the aerodynamics, performance, and stability & control of hypersonic vehicles
• Develop aerodynamic models for a variety of hypersonic vehicle configurations
• Contribute to flight performance simulations through modeling and/or aerodynamic analyses
• Analyze wind tunnel and flight test data, as required
• Develop advanced design tools, as required
• Support the preparation of business proposals to the US Government and industry
• 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 aerodynamics, performance, stability & control, and atmospheric aerospace vehicle design
• Experience with subsonic, transonic, or supersonic theory and analyses
• Ability to self-start, work with urgency, and on their own initiative, and prioritize tasking to fit within the business goals
• Ability to quickly adapt to changing priorities
• Willing and able to obtain and maintain a security clearance

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with hypersonic aerodynamic theory and analysis
• Experience with hypersonic vehicle development and/or test
• Experience with supersonic vehicle development and/or test
• Experience building aerodynamics models for complex aerospace vehicles
• Experience with trajectory shaping and optimization
• Proficient in lofting compound surfaces for aerospace vehicles
• Experience with computational fluid dynamics (CFD)
• Active security clearance
• Required Computer

Skills

• Scripting languages (Python, MATLAB, or similar)
• MS Office (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint)
• Preferred Computer

Skills

• Experience with CFD analysis tools – preferred: US3D, Fun3D, Pointwise, Link3D, StarCCM, Kestrel
• Experience with computer-aided design (CAD) software tools
• Experience with trajectory optimization analysis tools
• Familiarity with configuration management systems – Jira (preferred)
• Familiarity with revision control of software – Git (preferred)

Education & Experience

• Level II ($101,079-$146,500): Bachelor’s degree (B.S.) from accredited institution and 2-5 years of engineering experience, OR equivalent combination of education and experience
• Sr-Level ($120,500-$158,000): Bachelor’s degree (B.S.) from accredited institution and 5-10 years of engineering experience, OR equivalent combination of education and experience
• Special remarks regarding work environment, if applicable
• While Stratolaunch is headquartered in Mojave, CA, this position offers flexibility in work location. Remote, hybrid, and on-site arrangements are all available based on candidate preference and business needs.
• Travel, as needed, to support the department. Travel estimated to be 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 :
• Open www.dol.gov/ofccp/regs/compliance/posters/pdf/eeopost.pdf