---
title: 'Mechanical Engineer, Technical Lead at Stratolaunch'
canonical: 'https://feeny.ai/job/mechanical-engineer-technical-lead-stratolaunch-mojave-california-jth36vdh1z6q'
type: 'job'
last_seen: '2026-09-06'
---

# Mechanical Engineer, Technical Lead at Stratolaunch

- **Company:** Stratolaunch
- **Location:** Mojave California, United States
- **Posted:** 2026-07-07
- **Last confirmed live:** 2026-09-06
- **Apply:** https://job-boards.greenhouse.io/stratolaunch/jobs/5303075008

## Job description

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.

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 <10%

#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](https://www.stratolaunch.com/careers/benefits/) and our https://www.stratolaunch.com/careers/locations/:

- 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](https://usg02.safelinks.protection.office365.us/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.dol.gov%2Fofccp%2Fregs%2Fcompliance%2Fposters%2Fpdf%2Feeopost.pdf&data=05%7C02%7CJustin.Bunkis%40stratolaunch.com%7Cc995cc1cb2d54cb9e84f08dd8369f5d0%7C6b1ba37e5a954845af92bbebaa34f2bf%7C0%7C0%7C638811213293596097%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=HA1xZ73OqtOavsYHMEB53oSEKk%2FQdrb0FNLHeuEPqjg%3D&reserved=0)

## About Stratolaunch

## Company Overview
- **One-liner**: Stratolaunch designs, manufactures, and launches aerospace vehicles and technologies to provide the U.S. and its allies with routine, affordable access to hypersonic flight testing and space.
- **Entity Type**: Private (total funding $24.7M; recent grant and private equity rounds)
- **Headquarters**: Mojave, California, United States
- **Founded**: 2011
- **Founders**: Not listed in available sources

## Core Business
- **Primary industry**: Defense and Space Manufacturing – hypersonic test technology and air-launch services.
- **Target customers**: U.S. government agencies (Missile Defense Agency, Department of Defense), defense contractors, and commercial aerospace companies.
- **Mission**: To advance a national imperative by enabling routine access to the hypersonic environment, accelerating technology development, and validating system performance through flight data.

## Products & Services
- **Roc (Air-Launch Platform)**: The world’s largest aircraft by wingspan, used as a mobile launch pad to deploy hypersonic test vehicles from high altitude.
- **Talon-A**: A reusable, air-launched hypersonic test vehicle capable of sustained Mach 5+ flight; provides critical flight data for technology maturation.
- **Hypersonic Flight Testing Services**: End-to-end mission planning, payload integration, flight operations, and data analysis for government and commercial customers.

## Market Standing
- **Valuation**: Not publicly disclosed
- **Key Metrics**:
  - Annual revenue: ~$28.7M (source: LinkedIn)
  - Total funding: $24.7M (led by Missile Defense Agency grant, January 2025; plus a private equity round in January 2026)
- **Notable Investors/Partners**: Missile Defense Agency (MDA), U.S. Department of Defense; acquired WINDWRIGHT, LLC.
- **Growth Signals**:
  - Headcount grew 15.3% YoY to 253 employees.
  - Active job postings increased 176.2% YoY.
  - Received a $90.8M contract award under MACH-TB 2.0 Task 3 for air-launched capability test vehicles.
  - Conducted a hypersonic test flight with the Missile Defense Agency.

## Competitive Advantages
- **Unique Air-Launch Capability**: Operates Roc, the only aircraft of its size, enabling flexible, over-the-horizon launch of hypersonic vehicles without ground range constraints.
- **Vertical Integration**: In-house design, manufacturing, and flight test capabilities reduce timelines and allow rapid iteration.
- **Government Trust**: Multiple contract awards from MDA and DoD demonstrate confidence in Stratolaunch’s technology and execution.

## Strategic Focus
- Scaling hypersonic testing capacity to meet growing national security demand.
- Maturing Talon-A into a reusable, operational vehicle for repeatable, cost-effective hypersonic flights.
- Expanding customer base beyond the MDA to include other defense agencies and commercial hypersonic developers.

## Why Work Here
- **Culture**: Values include “Safety Always,” “Be courageous & bold,” “Strength in humility,” and “Be the teammate you’d want to have.” Emphasis on hands-on, cross‑disciplinary learning alongside top aerospace engineers.
- **Work Environment**: Majority on‑site (57 of 64 current positions are on‑site); limited hybrid/remote options. HQ in Mojave, CA, with additional offices in Washington, D.C., and Huntsville, AL.
- **Notable Perks**: Direct involvement in cutting‑edge hypersonic technology with national importance; exposure to multiple engineering disciplines; safety‑first, ego‑free culture.
- **Compensation Example**: Propulsion Technician ~$65,890/yr; Executive Assistant ~$88,580/yr (LinkedIn estimates).
- **Employer Rating**: 3.7/5 (55 reviews) – Compensation rated 4.0/5, Culture 3.5/5, Work‑Life 2.8/5.

## Sources
1. [stratolaunch.com](https://www.stratolaunch.com/)
2. [linkedin.com](https://www.linkedin.com/company/stratolaunch)
3. [job-boards.greenhouse.io](https://job-boards.greenhouse.io/stratolaunch)
4. [stratolaunch.com/careers/culture](https://www.stratolaunch.com/careers/culture/)

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