Flight Termination System Engineer

About the role

Stratolaunch is at the forefront of developing hypersonic testing platforms that can achieve speeds exceeding Mach 5, aimed at enhancing national security capabilities. We are currently in search of a Flight Termination System Engineer at various levels - Level II, Senior, or Staff - to take charge of the design, integration, and testing processes for Flight Termination Systems (FTS) and Autonomous Flight Safety Systems (AFSS). This role is crucial in ensuring the safety and reliability of our aerospace systems during testing and operational phases.

Key facts

What you'll do

• Design and execute subsystem-level testing protocols for Flight Termination Systems and Autonomous Flight Safety Systems, ensuring they meet all safety and operational standards.
• Collaborate with range safety teams to establish technical specifications and facilitate the approval of necessary documentation for flight operations.
• Oversee the design, procurement, and assembly processes for Hardware in the Loop systems associated with Autonomous Flight Safety Systems.
• Engage in flight test planning for missions involving integrated carrier aircraft, pylons, and hypersonic vehicles, ensuring all aspects are meticulously coordinated.
• Conduct design reviews and implement risk management strategies throughout the entire lifecycle of vehicle development to mitigate potential issues.
• Provide regular updates on project progress to the Avionics Chief Engineer and other stakeholders, ensuring transparency and alignment with project goals.
• Coordinate and support range testing activities, contributing to the integration of complex aerospace systems and ensuring compliance with safety protocols.
• Analyze test data and provide insights to improve system performance and reliability, contributing to the overall success of flight missions.

Requirements

• A Bachelor's degree in an engineering discipline is mandatory.
• Experience levels: Level I (0-2 years), Level II (2-5 years), Senior (5-10 years), or Staff (10-20 years) are acceptable.
• A solid background in electrical engineering, aircraft integration, or launch vehicle integration is essential.
• Hands-on experience with components related to Flight Termination Systems and Autonomous Flight Safety Systems, including receivers, batteries, ordnance, initiators, and safe and arm devices.
• Proven ability to design avionics architectures using both Commercial Off-The-Shelf (COTS) and custom hardware solutions.
• Familiarity with RCC-319 and RCC-324 standards is required for compliance and operational excellence.
• Experience in qualification, acceptance, and maximum predicted environment testing is necessary to ensure system robustness.
• Must be able to obtain and maintain a Department of Defense (DoD) security clearance.

Nice to have

• Advanced knowledge in RF system design, including aspects such as antenna placement, link budgets, and antenna design principles.
• Understanding of debris catalogs and breakup analysis to enhance safety protocols.
• Experience with environmental testing specifications and instrumentation, such as thermocouples or accelerometers, to ensure accurate data collection.
• Proficiency in programming languages such as C, C++, and tools like AGI STK and HFSS for simulation and analysis.
• Background in air-launch programs, collaboration with government agencies, or experience in aircraft prototype development would be advantageous.

Skills & tools

• Proficient in engineering programming languages, particularly Matlab or similar software.
• Familiar with configuration management tools such as Git, Bitbucket, and JIRA for project tracking and version control.
• Competent in using the Microsoft Office suite for documentation and reporting purposes.

Practical notes

• Salary ranges are as follows: Level I ($83,000-$120,500), Level II ($101,000-$146,500), Senior ($120,500-$158,000), and Staff ($157,000-$206,000).
• The role requires minimal travel, estimated at less than 10%.
• Benefits include comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance, paid parental leave, tuition reimbursement, and a 401(k) plan with a 50% company match up to $11,500.
• U.S. citizenship may be necessary to meet security clearance requirements, ensuring compliance with federal regulations.

About the company

High-speed flight test services form the core work of this American aerospace team. Company roots trace to 2011, created by Paul Allen and Burt Rutan to explore air-launched space transport. Home base is Seattle. Earlier collaboration on SpaceShipOne informed the project. New ownership arrived in 2019 through Cerberus Capital Management. Funding remains private. Operations follow a non-traditional defense contractor model, focusing on test missions and system development under continued private investment.