Mechanical Engineer
US$120,500 – US$206,000 / yr base salary
Posted 7 Jul 2026
Advertised as “Mechanical Engineer, Technical Lead”
BranchFactor Summary
The original posting with the fluff stripped out
- Expected experience
- 5–20 yrs
- Management level
- People management
- Employment
- Hybrid
| Base salary | US$120,500 – US$206,000 / yr |
|---|
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: