Flight Sciences Engineer

Stratolaunch

$101K — $158K *
Aerospace & Defense
Less than 5 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Strong knowledge of aerodynamics, performance, stability & control in aerospace vehicle design
  • Experience with both subsonic and hypersonic aerodynamics
  • Self-starter with strong initiative and ability to prioritize
  • Adaptable in dynamic work environments
  • Must be able to obtain a TS/SCI security clearance

Responsibilities

  • Perform trajectory analysis and optimization for hypersonic vehicles
  • Develop aerodynamic databases using various types of data
  • Conduct analytical evaluations of vehicle aerodynamics and stability
  • Create aerodynamic models for hypersonic vehicle configurations
  • Support flight performance simulations
  • Analyze wind tunnel and flight test data as needed
  • Develop advanced design tools and support proposal preparations

Benefits

  • 9/80 work schedule
  • Comprehensive healthcare benefits (medical, dental, vision)
  • Paid maternity and parental leave
  • 401(k) plan with 50% company match (up to $11,500)
  • Tuition reimbursement program
Full Job Description
To help achieve these efforts, Stratolaunch is seeking a level II or Sr-level Flight Sciences Engineer to support the conceptual design and aerodynamic analyses of hypersonic vehicles. Candidates must have a strong foundation in aerodynamics and flight mechanics, including stability and control, aerodynamic model development, flight simulation, computation fluid dynamics (CFD), and/or relevant wind tunnel testing. Experience with aircraft design and aerodynamic/performance analyses across the speed range from subsonic to hypersonic, is highly desired.

As a Flight Science Engineer, you will contribute to a small hypersonic advanced design team, designing current and future Stratolaunch hypersonic vehicles. Your tasking may include conceptual design trade studies, detailed design and analysis tasks, development of analytical tools to support the team, and flight test support of currently operating vehicles.

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES
  • Perform vehicle trajectory analysis and optimization on current and future vehicles
  • Contribute to development of aerodynamic databases using analytical, numerical, ground and flight test data
  • Perform analytical and numerical analyses to evaluate the aerodynamics, performance, and stability & control of hypersonic vehicles
  • Develop aerodynamic models for a variety of hypersonic vehicle configurations
  • Contribute to flight performance simulations through modeling and/or aerodynamic analyses
  • Analyze wind tunnel and flight test data, as required
  • Develop advanced design tools, as required
  • Support the preparation of business proposals to the US Government and industry
  • 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 aerodynamics, performance, stability & control, and atmospheric aerospace vehicle design
  • Experience with subsonic, transonic, or supersonic theory and analyses
  • Ability to self-start, work with urgency, and on their own initiative, and prioritize tasking to fit within the business goals
  • Ability to quickly adapt to changing priorities
  • Ability to obtain a security clearance at the TS/SCI level


Preferred Qualifications:
  • Experience with hypersonic aerodynamic theory and analysis
  • Experience with hypersonic vehicle development and/or test
  • Experience with supersonic vehicle development and/or test
  • Experience building aerodynamics models for complex aerospace vehicles
  • Experience with trajectory shaping and optimization
  • Proficient in lofting compound surfaces for aerospace vehicles
  • Experience with computational fluid dynamics (CFD)
  • Active TS/SCI security clearance


Required Computer Skills:
  • Scripting languages (Python, Matlab, or similar)
  • MS Office (Word, Excel, Outlook, Powerpoint)


Preferred Computer Skills:
  • Experience with CFD analysis tools - preferred: US3D, Fun3D, Pointwise, Link3D, StarCCM, Kestrel
  • Experience with computer-aided design (CAD) software tools
  • Experience with trajectory optimization analysis tools
  • Familiarity with configuration management systems - Jira (preferred)
  • Familiarity with revision control of software - Git (preferred)
EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE
  • Level II ($101,079-$146,500): Bachelor's degree (B.S.) from accredited institution and 2-5 years of engineering experience, OR equivalent combination of education and experience
  • Sr-Level ($120,500-$158,000): Bachelor's degree (B.S.) from accredited institution and 5-10 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. Consideration for remote or partial remote/on-site (hybrid) work for a well-qualified candidate.
  • Travel, as needed, to support the department. Travel estimated to be


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.

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