Lead Avionics Engineer

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 Avionics Engineer to lead an air‑launched hypersonic vehicle avionics team through continued design, integration, and testing. You will be considered a subject‑matter expert and provide technical leadership and mentorship to a group of avionics engineers. This position will include coordination, planning, scheduling, and testing of a broad range of avionics components.

Candidates must have an aerospace development background and relevant experience in aerospace systems integration.

• Lead architecture, design, analysis, integration, and testing of avionics and electrical systems
• Maintain configuration control over major avionics system elements including wiring diagrams, 3D CAD, work orders, etc.
• Coordinate with and lead engineers across a broad spectrum of disciplines to understand requirements and engineer technical solutions
• Lead coordination with other subsystem leads to develop requirements, test plans, and procedures
• Perform analysis to gauge system design adequacy and performance to meet program requirements
• Coordinate with external customers to support range integration, launch license applications, safety documentation and analyses, and payload integration
• Review presentations and support design reviews throughout vehicle development
• Support ground and/or flight test, as required
• Evaluate risks and risk mitigation plans to determine if the risks and mitigations are appropriate.
• Regular and comprehensive communication to the program Chief Engineer on a weekly and monthly basis
• Communicate with the Chief Engineer of Avionics to address avionics needs such as training, test equipment upgrades, avionics‑specific processes, etc.
• Management of direct reports (1:1s, reviews, etc.)
• Contribute to the integration of complex aerospace systems
• Demonstrate honesty, responsibility, integrity, and fulfillment of commitments

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.

• Knowledge of, and experience with, one or more of these disciplines: electrical engineering, avionics, experimental aircraft and/or launch vehicle integration
• Experience managing the manufacturing of an aerospace vehicle
• Experience with integration of avionics wiring and hardware into an aerospace vehicle
• Experience with aerospace vehicle bring‑up, including ground tests, flight tests, and system validation
• Experience with telemetry systems and IRIG‑106 (CH4, CH10, CH7)
• Experience with data acquisition and instrumentation (thermocouples, accelerometers, strain gages, pressure transducers)
• Experience with electrical power systems
• Experience creating and reviewing wiring diagrams and/or circuit schematics.
• Experience with electrical design analysis such as power budgets, thermal analysis, or RF budgets
• Ability to work on your own initiative and prioritize tasking to fit within the business goals
• Complex aerospace system development
• Ability to quickly adapt to changing priorities
• Ability to obtain and maintain a DoW security clearance

• Experience in C/C++, Python, Matlab, or equivalent
• MS Office (Word, Excel, Outlook)

• Knowledge of environmental testing (vibration, thermal, shock)
• Experience with testing of RF avionics components such as RF transmitters, RF cabling, and RF antennas
• Experience with MIL‑STD‑461 Conducted Susceptibility (CS), Radiative Susceptibility…