Back to jobs
New

Materials & Process Lead Engineer

Mojave, CA

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.

Stratolaunch is seeking an experienced engineer to lead the Materials and Processes (M&P) service center. The M&P service center resides in the Engineering Department and supports product realization at Stratolaunch through expertise and test capabilities in the areas of material science, materials test, materials specification development, and process specification development.  The M&P leader will work across the business to ensure successful execution of our current program portfolio while also building capabilities to achieve future objectives. A successful candidate will have demonstrated leadership capability and broad technical expertise that spans M&P theory, testing, and aerospace system development.

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES

  • Accountable for all aspects of M&P service center operation, including personnel, infrastructure, and budget management.
  • Provide technical direction and leadership to a team of engineers and specialists. Mentor junior engineers and review the work of team members to ensure technical accuracy and quality.
  • Lead development and maintenance of material specification databases
  • Lead development of material process specifications
  • Lead development of manufacturing process specifications. Relevant examples include welding, heat treatment, additive manufacturing, machining, and composite laminating, curing, and bonding.
  • Lead qualification testing of process specifications to ensure reliability and repeatability
  • Support programs and other stakeholders as a M&P subject matter expert (e.g. non-advocate technical reviewer, peer reviewer, proposal writing)
  • Collaborate with program technical leaders to balance technical rigor with programmatic constraints and effectively manage risk related to M&P (e.g. material selection for new designs, NC dispositions)
  • Develop and maintain capability roadmaps for the M&P service center and lead the realization of those capabilities (e.g. M&P test lab)
  • Propose and lead M&P related IRAD projects
  • Root cause analysis: Lead failure analysis investigations. Collaborate with internal stakeholders to conduct non-conformance reviews for production issues. Identify root cause and define corrective actions to prevent future failures.

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:

  • In-depth understanding of material properties, characterization techniques, and failure mechanisms  (e.g. composites, metallics, ceramics, coatings, adhesives)
  • Extensive knowledge of materials for high-temperature aerospace applications
  • Extensive knowledge of various manufacturing processes, such as composite processing, welding, bonding, heat treatment, and surface finishing
  • Familiarity with industry material data standards (e.g., MMPDS, ASTM) and regulatory specifications
  • Expert in the design of experiments and the development of material specification databases
  • Experience developing process specifications
  • Experience in a M&P laboratory setting
  • Demonstrated ability as a technical leader and people manager
  • Excellent verbal and written communication skills: Capable of conveying complex technical information to diverse audiences
  • Ability to interact with customers and/or external stakeholders
  • Experience with low temperature pre-preg composite materials, including layups and/or wet tie joint assemblies
  • Demonstrated experience applying analytical and critical thinking skills to solve multi-disciplinary, open-ended engineering problems
  • Ability to work independently in a dynamic environment to achieve business goals
  • US Citizen with the ability to obtain a DOD security clearance

 

Required Computer Skills:

  • CAD
  • MS Office (Word, Excel, Outlook)

 

Preferred Qualifications:

  • Experience supporting aerospace manufacturing operations ranging from prototype work to low-rate production
  • Experience supporting hypersonic development programs
  • Experience with aerospace propulsion systems
  • Experience with thermal protection systems
  • Experience with additive manufacturing
  • Hands-on experience with composite and/or metallic structure fabrication
  • Active DOD security clearance

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE

  • Principal Level ($175,500-$230,300): Bachelor’s degree (B.S.) from accredited institution and 20-25 years of engineering experience, OR equivalent combination of education and experience
  • Sr. Principal Level ($200,300-$262,700): Bachelor’s degree (B.S.) from accredited institution and 25+ 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%

Benefits and our location(s): 

  • 9/80 schedule
  • 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 95 miles north of Los Angeles. To outsiders it may seem like it is the middle-of-nowhere, but it offers both affordability and central access to a variety of California’s best attractions and landmarks. Hikers will find themselves within a 2-3 hours distance of some of the best state and national parks, including Yosemite and Sequoia in the Sierra Nevada Mountains. Skiers will delight in being closely distanced to world-class resorts at Mammoth Mountain, Mountain High, and Big Bear. Beachgoers can find plenty of sand, sun, and sunsets at both Southern and Central California beaches like Ventura, Huntington, Santa Monica, and Pismo. The area also offers plenty of rural area for off-roading and horseback riding enthusiasts. 

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

Create a Job Alert

Interested in building your career at Stratolaunch? Get future opportunities sent straight to your email.

Apply for this job

*

indicates a required field

Resume/CV*

Accepted file types: pdf, doc, docx, txt, rtf

Cover Letter

Accepted file types: pdf, doc, docx, txt, rtf

Full address including City, State, Zip

Select...
Select...
Select...

I understand that if offered employment I may be required to submit to a drug and/or alcohol screen. I further understand that I must successfully pass such a screen as a condition of beginning my employment.   If test results are not received until after I start employment, a positive test will result in my termination. 

Select...

* Please note that our Relationships at Work policy prohibits the creation of a direct or indirect reporting relationship between an employee and a family member or someone with whom they have a personal relationship with.

Voluntary Self-Identification

For government reporting purposes, we ask candidates to respond to the below self-identification survey. Completion of the form is entirely voluntary. Whatever your decision, it will not be considered in the hiring process or thereafter. Any information that you do provide will be recorded and maintained in a confidential file.

As set forth in Stratolaunch’s Equal Employment Opportunity policy, we do not discriminate on the basis of any protected group status under any applicable law.

Select...
Select...
Race & Ethnicity Definitions

If you believe you belong to any of the categories of protected veterans listed below, please indicate by making the appropriate selection. As a government contractor subject to the Vietnam Era Veterans Readjustment Assistance Act (VEVRAA), we request this information in order to measure the effectiveness of the outreach and positive recruitment efforts we undertake pursuant to VEVRAA. Classification of protected categories is as follows:

A "disabled veteran" is one of the following: a veteran of the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service who is entitled to compensation (or who but for the receipt of military retired pay would be entitled to compensation) under laws administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs; or a person who was discharged or released from active duty because of a service-connected disability.

A "recently separated veteran" means any veteran during the three-year period beginning on the date of such veteran's discharge or release from active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval, or air service.

An "active duty wartime or campaign badge veteran" means a veteran who served on active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service during a war, or in a campaign or expedition for which a campaign badge has been authorized under the laws administered by the Department of Defense.

An "Armed forces service medal veteran" means a veteran who, while serving on active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service, participated in a United States military operation for which an Armed Forces service medal was awarded pursuant to Executive Order 12985.

Select...

Voluntary Self-Identification of Disability

Form CC-305
Page 1 of 1
OMB Control Number 1250-0005
Expires 04/30/2026

Why are you being asked to complete this form?

We are a federal contractor or subcontractor. The law requires us to provide equal employment opportunity to qualified people with disabilities. We have a goal of having at least 7% of our workers as people with disabilities. The law says we must measure our progress towards this goal. To do this, we must ask applicants and employees if they have a disability or have ever had one. People can become disabled, so we need to ask this question at least every five years.

Completing this form is voluntary, and we hope that you will choose to do so. Your answer is confidential. No one who makes hiring decisions will see it. Your decision to complete the form and your answer will not harm you in any way. If you want to learn more about the law or this form, visit the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) website at www.dol.gov/ofccp.

How do you know if you have a disability?

A disability is a condition that substantially limits one or more of your “major life activities.” If you have or have ever had such a condition, you are a person with a disability. Disabilities include, but are not limited to:

  • Alcohol or other substance use disorder (not currently using drugs illegally)
  • Autoimmune disorder, for example, lupus, fibromyalgia, rheumatoid arthritis, HIV/AIDS
  • Blind or low vision
  • Cancer (past or present)
  • Cardiovascular or heart disease
  • Celiac disease
  • Cerebral palsy
  • Deaf or serious difficulty hearing
  • Diabetes
  • Disfigurement, for example, disfigurement caused by burns, wounds, accidents, or congenital disorders
  • Epilepsy or other seizure disorder
  • Gastrointestinal disorders, for example, Crohn's Disease, irritable bowel syndrome
  • Intellectual or developmental disability
  • Mental health conditions, for example, depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety disorder, schizophrenia, PTSD
  • Missing limbs or partially missing limbs
  • Mobility impairment, benefiting from the use of a wheelchair, scooter, walker, leg brace(s) and/or other supports
  • Nervous system condition, for example, migraine headaches, Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis (MS)
  • Neurodivergence, for example, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), autism spectrum disorder, dyslexia, dyspraxia, other learning disabilities
  • Partial or complete paralysis (any cause)
  • Pulmonary or respiratory conditions, for example, tuberculosis, asthma, emphysema
  • Short stature (dwarfism)
  • Traumatic brain injury
Select...

PUBLIC BURDEN STATEMENT: According to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 no persons are required to respond to a collection of information unless such collection displays a valid OMB control number. This survey should take about 5 minutes to complete.