Harness Engineer

About the role

Stratolaunch is at the forefront of technological innovation, dedicated to advancing testing capabilities that reach speeds beyond Mach

5. Our Talon testbeds are designed to provide reusable and cost-effective solutions for accessing hypersonic environments, enabling the collection of vital flight data that enhances system performance and accelerates the deployment of new technologies. We work closely with our clients to drive advancements that are essential for national security. We are currently seeking a Harness Engineer at the Level II, Senior, or Staff level to support the design and improvement of avionics systems for our air-launched hypersonic vehicles. This role involves working alongside a multidisciplinary team to define requirements, design, analyze, manufacture, test, and integrate avionics systems.

Key facts

What you'll do

• Collaborate with a diverse team of mechanical, avionics, and manufacturing engineers to achieve project goals.
• Participate in the development and refinement of wire harness specifications to meet project requirements.
• Design and layout the architecture of wire harness systems to ensure optimal performance and reliability.
• Create production drawings and work closely with manufacturing teams to confirm that designs are practical for production.
• Manage the procurement process, coordinating with both internal departments and external suppliers to source necessary materials.
• Develop specifications and testing protocols for wire harnesses to ensure they meet quality standards.
• Supervise the installation of harnesses and conduct functional tests to verify their performance.
• Assist manufacturing technicians in troubleshooting and resolving issues that arise during production.
• Contribute to test planning and conduct failure analysis, supporting hardware and software qualification and flight testing efforts.
• Improve packaging processes to enhance yield and reliability, while establishing metrics for monitoring and evaluation.
• Prepare and present documentation for design and test readiness reviews to stakeholders.
• Maintain consistent communication with program leads across Avionics, Structures, and Manufacturing teams.
• Uphold the company's core values of honesty, responsibility, and integrity in all professional commitments.

Requirements

• Proven experience and knowledge in wire harness design, mechanical design, avionics manufacturing, or aircraft systems.
• Strong background in the design and construction of electronics and avionics harnesses.
• Hands-on experience in fabrication within an aerospace environment.
• Demonstrated success in transitioning prototype programs to Low Rate Initial Production (LRIP) phases.
• Proficient in reading and interpreting wire schematics and technical documentation.
• Familiarity with aerospace technical work and vendor management.
• Experience in risk management and understanding critical path workflows.
• Ability to work effectively within small engineering teams, taking on diverse responsibilities.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills to convey technical information clearly.
• Self-motivated with the ability to prioritize tasks effectively in alignment with business objectives.
• Adaptability to changing project priorities and requirements.
• Willingness to obtain and maintain a security clearance as required for the role.

Nice to have

• Experience with 3D CAD software, particularly Siemens NX and Teamcenter, as well as SolidWorks.
• Familiarity with MS Office/365 Suite for documentation and reporting purposes.
• Knowledge of configuration management systems such as JIRA, GIT, or JAMA for project tracking and collaboration.

Skills & tools

• Proficient in 3D CAD software (preferably Siemens NX and Teamcenter, also SolidWorks).
• Familiarity with MS Office/365 Suite for documentation and reporting.
• Experience with configuration management systems such as JIRA, GIT, JAMA, etc.

Practical notes

Candidates may need to obtain a security clearance for this position. Stratolaunch offers a competitive benefits package and actively encourages applications from individuals with diverse backgrounds. We are committed to fostering an inclusive work environment where all employees feel valued and empowered.

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.