Flight Termination System Engineer

About the role

Stratolaunch accelerates the development of next-generation aerospace and defense technologies through reusable hypersonic flight testing. Our autonomous, air-launched Talon-A vehicles provide access to operationally realistic flight environments at speeds exceeding Mach 5, delivering critical data that helps customers validate system performance and advance technologies toward deployment. Our team brings together expertise in engineering, manufacturing, and flight operations to solve complex challenges and advance capabilities essential to national security.

To help achieve these efforts, Stratolaunch is seeking a level I, level II, Sr-, or Staff-level Avionics Engineer with emphasis in Flight Termination Systems (FTS) and Autonomous Flight Safety System (AFSS) to support continued technical development of air-launched hypersonic aircraft. This position will also support the efforts to design, integrate, and test the FTS and AFSS in accordance with RCC-319 and RCC-324. Additionally, this position will include working with range safety personnel to coordinate review and approval of various FTS documents. You must be comfortable with component/system development and integration. Candidates must have an aerospace development background and relevant experience in aerospace systems integration.

Essential Responsibilities

- Support the development, implementation, and subsystem-level testing of the FTS and AFSS

- Collaborate with range safety to review and approve FTS and AFSS documentation

- Support design, procurement, and build of AFSS Hardware in the Loop

- Contribute to flight test planning for integrated (carrier aircraft + pylon + hypersonic vehicle) Stratolaunch missions

- Collaborate with range safety personnel to develop FTS and AFSS technical requirements

- Contribute to coordination of range testing

- Support design reviews throughout vehicle system development

- Evaluate and determine risks and risk mitigation plans

- Regular and comprehensive communication to the Avionics Chief Engineer and FTS/AFSS PM on a weekly and monthly basis

- Contribute to the integration of complex aerospace systems

- Demonstrate honesty, responsibility, integrity, and fulfillment of commitments

Qualifications and 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: electrical engineering, aircraft and/or launch vehicle integration

- Experience with FTS and/or AFSS (receivers, batteries, safe and arm devices, ordnance, initiators)

- Experience architecting avionics system design with COTS or in-house hardware