--- title: 'QA Inspector at Stratolaunch' canonical: 'https://feeny.ai/job/qa-inspector-stratolaunch-mojave-ccx9vgz9hsq9' type: 'job' last_seen: '2026-11-08' --- # QA Inspector at Stratolaunch - **Company:** Stratolaunch - **Location:** Mojave, CA - **Posted:** 2026-11-06 - **Last confirmed live:** 2026-11-08 - **Apply:** https://job-boards.greenhouse.io/stratolaunch/jobs/5476018008 ## 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 Quality Assurance Inspector at our facility in Mojave, CA.  In this role, the individual operating in this capacity will support all quality aspects of the vehicle manufacturing assembly-line, to include evaluating the quality of Stratolaunch part manufacturing and assembly, with a focus on systems and components dimensional and electrical inspection.  You will contribute to the team responsible for inspecting Stratolaunch parts before they are integrated onto the flight vehicle and documenting non-conformances when they arise.  You will also participate in corrective or continuous improvement actions with the manufacturing team and contribute ideas to company processes that improve part quality.  This role will contribute to Stratolaunch’s Quality Management System, assisting Stratolaunch operations personnel, and instilling a culture where safety and quality are second nature. ## ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES - Perform all Quality inspection functions on advanced aerospace vehicles, per specifications - Use quality development knowledge and skills to develop and deploy effective and efficient methods for verifying and accepting processes and parts, including the use of quantitative and qualitative methods - Work with Manufacturing, Engineering, and the Procurement team to evaluate the quality of Stratolaunch and supplier parts - Identify, investigate, and document non-conformances and quality escapes in accordance with the Stratolaunch Quality Management System - Assist in root cause corrective action analysis for non-conformances - Maintain and properly fill out all quality-related documentation - Assist technicians with problem solving on the floor, supporting key manufacturing, assembly, and final inspection processes - Perform audits of systems, processes, products and documentation - Perform acceptance and receiving inspections, as required - Demonstrate honesty, responsibility, integrity and fulfillment of commitments - Perform other duties as assigned by Quality Management ## 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 accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Required Qualifications: - Knowledge of, and experience with aircraft and/or launch quality assurance inspection techniques, quality management systems, and aerospace vehicle assembly - Ability to implement and document quality inspection procedures - Experience with reading, analyzing, or developing work instructions - Excellent written & verbal communication - Exceptional attention to detail and accuracy - Ability to work on your own initiative and prioritize tasking to fit within the business goals - Ability to quickly adapt to changing priorities - Ability to obtain security clearance at the TS/SCI level Preferred Qualifications: - Knowledge and experience in quality management system requirements (such as ISO 9001, AS9100, or IATF 16949) - Experience with non-destructive inspection methods for composites and metallics - Experience with air launch systems or commercial space programs - Experience with government agencies - Active security clearance - Experience with electrical/electronics inspection methods and IPC 620 - Experience with various dimensional inspection gauges and techniques, including CMM - Experience with Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing (GD&T) Required Computer Skills: - Quality Management System software tools - MS Office (Word, Excel, PPT, Outlook) ## Preferred Computer Skills - Manufacturing Execution System (MES) - Statistical analysis applications (Minitab or equivalent) ## EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE - QA Inspector Level I ($27.00-$39.00): 1-5 years’ experience in manufacturing, quality assurance, OR equivalent combination of education and experience - QA Inspector Level II ($36.50-$45.00): 5-10 years’ experience in aerospace manufacturing, quality assurance, OR equivalent combination of education and experience - QA Inspector Level III ($46.25-$52.90): 10+ years’ experience in aerospace manufacturing, quality assurance, OR equivalent combination of education and experience Special remarks regarding work environment, if applicable - Position based in Mojave, CA. - Position requires significant interaction on the shop floor with the Materials and Processes, Manufacturing, Engineering, and Program Management teams - Travel, as needed, to support the department.  Travel estimated to be <5% - 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](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/) ## Other roles at Stratolaunch - [Sr. Mechanical/Structural Engineer](https://feeny.ai/job/sr-mechanical-structural-engineer-stratolaunch-mojave-mbf6py4kh9x7) — Mojave, CA - [Mechanical/Structural Engineer II](https://feeny.ai/job/mechanical-structural-engineer-ii-stratolaunch-mojave-cgy4b9j2a8n5) — Mojave, CA - [Staff Operations Engineer](https://feeny.ai/job/staff-operations-engineer-stratolaunch-mojave-w81qvsxcyx2k) — Mojave, CA - [AI Solutions Engineer](https://feeny.ai/job/ai-solutions-engineer-stratolaunch-mojave-zgy5p5695y8p) — Mojave, CA - [Avionics Electrical Drafter](https://feeny.ai/job/avionics-electrical-drafter-stratolaunch-mojave-qxmagtgps241) — Mojave, CA - [Program Scheduler](https://feeny.ai/job/program-scheduler-stratolaunch-mojave-qt3hrj9vdef8) — Mojave, CA - [IT Intern- Summer 2027](https://feeny.ai/job/it-intern-summer-2027-stratolaunch-mojave-s4pxtdadsskv) — Mojave, CA - [People Team Intern- Summer 2027](https://feeny.ai/job/people-team-intern-summer-2027-stratolaunch-mojave-yw3022x3v2j5) — Mojave, CA - [Manufacturing (Electrical) Engineering Intern Summer 2027](https://feeny.ai/job/manufacturing-electrical-engineering-intern-summer-2027-stratolaunch-mojave-wwbsq8przdn6) — Mojave, CA - [Manufacturing Engineering Intern Summer 2027](https://feeny.ai/job/manufacturing-engineering-intern-summer-2027-stratolaunch-mojave-rbr1g82n9dh2) — Mojave, CA