Back to jobs
New

Composite Manufacturing 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.

To help achieve these efforts, Stratolaunch is seeking a Composite Manufacturing Engineer (ME) level I, II, or Sr. to support design, integration, testing, and maintenance of one of our carrier or hypersonic vehicles electrical and avionics systems; as a ME you will be responsible for the following:

  • Work Instructions, detailed documentation to be released to the composite production shop for manufacturing related information for production, testing or tooling.
    • Ability to fully define a manufacturing process step-by-step
    • Ability to identify alternate part numbers
    • Ability to produce engineering documentation following industry standards (Section Views, Detail Views, flag notes, etc.)
    • Process improvement documentation to establish production line standardization efforts
  • Experience with Composite materials; Carbon, Fiberglass, Pre-impregnated material, BMI, Foam core, honeycomb etc.
  • Experience with autoclave and out of autoclave curing processes processing.
  • Ability to develop tools/shop-aids to fabricated composite detail part, assemblies and final assembles
    • Aerospace Industry Standards implementation
    • Desktop and Shop Aid documentation to support current workflows
  • Liaison between Design Engineering and Production shop to ensure design intent is met, while providing clear process and direction to the shop fabrication shop.
    • Redline released engineering documentation
  • Source and support purchasing efforts from released engineering documentation and manufacturing related tasks for Shop support (Shop setup activities, tooling, etc.)
  • Evaluation of a broad range of technical data, interaction with different disciplines involved in the design, purchasing, manufacturing, integration, and testing of our vehicle(s).
  • Analyze and verify all the engineering requirements are met to estimate time of fabrication and producibility between the margins of cost and schedule

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES

  • Create work instructions to fabricate, install or modify or develop composite components to support Stratolaunch programs
  • Create drawings and work instructions for tooling that supports the build phase of a production effort
  • Reference 3D CAD models and integrate into 2D environments.
  • Support the shop by acting as the engineering liaison to troubleshoot documentation issues and provide real-time support on the shop floor
  • Troubleshoot tooling and composite process, parts and non-conformance to resolve
  • Develop test plans to support concepts, new techniques or planned process
  • Support hypersonic vehicle integrated testing, as required
  • Support composite design effort, as required
  • Contribute to Shop layout, set up and improvement efforts, as required
  • Regular and comprehensive communication to leadership
  • Contribute to the integration of complex aerospace systems
  • Travel, as needed, to support the department
  • 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: composites, composite tooling, experimental vehicle build
  • Experience with Aerospace production documentation (drawings and work orders)
  • Experience with PDM systems, Engineering control and revision control release processes
  • Experience integrating new composite techniques form concept through process
  • Experience with the creation of shop work instructions
  • Familiarity with common aerospace hardware/adhesives such as click-bond fasteners, structural adhesives, and latest composite techniques
  • Direct hands-on experience with aircraft composite repair, inspections and replacement of composite structure.
  • Facilitation skills and ability to communicate technical challenges and guidance to varied audiences to gain support or resolve concerns
  • Ability to work on your own initiative and prioritize tasking to fit within the business goals
  • Complex aerospace composite development
  • Ability to quickly adapt to changing priorities

Preferred Qualifications:

  • Security clearance

Required Skills:

  • Composite Materials, process and fabrication
  • Shop equipment: Ovens, composite tools and fabrication support tools
  • Familiarity with 3D CAD
  • MS Office (Word, Excel, Outlook)

Preferred Skills:

  • Siemens Capital/Mentor Graphics
  • 3D CAD modeling experience – NX, CATIA, or Solidworks
  • Familiarity with configuration management systems – Jira (preferred)

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE

Level I ($83,000-$120,500): Bachelor’s degree (B.S.) from accredited institution and 0-2 years of engineering experience, OR equivalent combination of education and experience

Level II ($98,100-$128,700): Bachelor’s degree (B.S.) from accredited institution and 2-5 years of engineering experience, OR equivalent combination of education and experience

Sr Level ($117,000-$153,500): Bachelor’s degree (B.S.) from accredited institution and 5-10 years of engineering experience, OR equivalent combination of education and experience

Staff Level ($152,500-$200,000): 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 on-site based in Mojave, CA

Travel, as needed, to support the department, travel estimated to be <5%

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): 

  • 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 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

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 street, city, state, & zip code

Select...
Certain U.S. government contracts supported by our company prohibit employment of individuals who hold citizenship (including dual citizenship) in specific countries designated by the U.S. Department of State. Please indicate whether you currently hold citizenship (including dual citizenship) in any of the following countries: *

If yes, please list all additional countries of citizenship. If no, please enter “N/A.”

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.