Carrier Aircraft Chief Engineer

Job Description

Stratolaunch is seeking a Chief Engineer to be the technical owner of our growing fleet of launch platform aircraft, which includes the Spirit of Mojave, a 747-400, and Roc, the largest aircraft by wingspan in the world. In this role you will lead multi-disciplinary engineering teams to support modification, maintenance, and operation of our experimental test aircraft in support of air-launched hypersonic testing. The ideal candidate is a demonstrated leader and team player with significant experience across experimental aircraft and air-launch platforms, possessing a breadth of technical expertise across aircraft systems, aircraft certification, store certification, maintenance, and operations.

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES
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* Accountable for the technical data packages for Stratolaunch owned launch platforms, including technical baselines and change control.
* Partner with the Launch Platform Program Manager to ensure launch platform readiness for test operations and execute aircraft modification programs
* Apply Systems Engineering principles to control scope, manage risk, and drive quality technical execution within the Launch Platform service center
* Partner with internal hypersonic vehicle programs and external customers to execute store integration and certification efforts with Stratolaunch aircraft
* Partner with the Maintenance and Operations organizations to achieve experimental aircraft certifications
* Support test planning and execution as required (ground and flight)
* Support business proposals and planning for new launch platform programs
* Facilitate successful technical meetings and reviews such as Engineering Review Board phase-gate technical reviews. (e.g., SRR, PDR, CDR)
* Create engineering staffing plans and identify skillset gaps in the team
* Manage engineering staff dedicated to the Launch Platforms service center
* Effectively collaborate across the enterprise in support of business objectives and program execution

QUALIFICATIONS \& SKILLS
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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:**

* Outstanding communication and interpersonal skills
* Demonstrated proficiency as a front-line manager of technical employees
* Experience maintaining, modifying, and testing experimental aircraft
* Demonstrated success as an engineering team leader and experience balancing cost, schedule, and technical performance considerations when making decisions
* Experience recruiting and hiring engineers
* Experience supporting defense contracts and working on classified programs
* Ability to interact with customers and/or external stakeholders
* Demonstrated success applying analytical and critical thinking skills to solve multi-disciplinary, open-ended technical problems
* Strong Systems Engineering fundamentals
* Ability to work independently in a dynamic environment to achieve business goals
* Familiarity with relevant components of the FAR (e.g. Part 21, Part 25)
* US Citizen with the ability to obtain a DOD security clearance

**Required Computer Skills:**

* MS Office (Word, Excel, Outlook)

**Preferred Qualifications:**

* Direct experience integrating air-launched stores onto launch platforms
* Familiarity with common military store carriage devices and bomb racks (e.g. MAU-12)
* Expertise in MIL-STD and MIL-HDBK documents pertinent to store certification and store integration (e.g. MIL-STD-1760, MIL-STD-1553, MIL-HDBK-1763) and experience with store certification efforts and authorities
* Experience working in matrixed organizations supporting multiple programs
* Demonstrated success as a Chief Engineer overseeing development programs
* Experience and expertise in hypersonic flight vehicle design, development, and test
* Active DOD security clearance

EDUCATION \& EXPERIENCE
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* Staff-level ($157,000-$206,000): Bachelor's degree (B.S.) from accredited institution and 10-20 years of relevant experience, OR equivalent combination of education and experience
* Principal Level ($181,000-$237,300): Bachelor's degree (B.S.) from accredited institution and 20+ years of engineering experience, OR equivalent combination of education and experience

**Special remarks regarding work environment, if applicable**

* Position based in Mojave, CA. It is strongly preferred the candidate be fully on-site. Consideration for hybrid (partial remote/on-site work) work location arrangement at no less than 75-80% on-site time for well-qualified candidates.
* Travel, as needed, to support the department. Travel estimated to be \<10%