{"id":3898640,"url":"https://alion.io/job/stratolaunch-staff-operations-engineer","title":"Staff Operations Engineer","company":{"id":445024,"name":"Stratolaunch","domain":"stratolaunch.com","url":"https://alion.io/company/stratolaunch","size_band":"1001-5000","is_staffing_agency":false,"employer_type":"direct","is_intermediary":false,"listed_via":null,"ats_vendor":"Greenhouse","truth_index":{"grade":"A","score":94,"open_postings":27,"ghost_share":0,"stale_share":0.037,"repost_share":0,"time_to_fill_p50_days":80,"computed_at":"2026-11-07T05:47:08Z"}},"role":"Industrial Engineering","role_family":"Industrial Engineering","seniority":"staff","employment_type":null,"work_mode":"on_site","remote_scope":null,"remote_scope_basis":null,"remote_working_hours":null,"hiring_geo_confidence":"structured","locations":["Mojave, United States"],"countries":["US"],"hiring_countries":[],"hiring_countries_total":0,"salary":{"min":130800,"max":150000,"currency":"USD","period":"year","gross":null,"usd_annual":150000},"salary_estimate":null,"experience_years_min":8,"visa_sponsorship":false,"relocation_package":false,"has_equity":false,"technologies":[],"status":"live","first_seen_at":"2026-11-06T21:18:38Z","employer_posted_date":"2026-11-06","last_verified_at":"2026-11-07T20:38:02Z","board_verified":true,"closed_at":null,"days_open":1,"trust":{"level":"ok","repost_count":null,"flags":[],"days_open":1},"description":"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.\nAs an Operations Engineer, you will accept a critical role in achieving new milestones in aviation and enable development of high-speed test vehicles to be air-launched from Stratolaunch Carrier Aircraft. You will provide effective leadership as the focal point for high-speed vehicle operations planning and execution, to include the potential to act as the liaison to the Test Director for vehicle and mission readiness. You should have experience in test vehicle configuration control, test planning and resourcing, and conducting disciplined, effective developmental flight test operations, or similar experience in a technically demanding high pace environment. \nAs a key member of the Stratolaunch team, you will have an essential role in meeting our ambitious company objectives. You must establish and maintain effective relationships with colleagues on a small, agile design-to-flight team. You will be challenged with bringing unique and complex aircraft from initial airworthiness to operational use at a company that believes in giving our team members the authority and responsibility to succeed. \nESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES:\nAssist in the implementation of test strategy and objectives, test plans, test procedures, and mission cards for ground and flight testing for high-speed test vehicles\nCoordinate closely with vehicle engineering team to identify system safety and operational concerns\nInterface with multiple engineers, vehicle crew chiefs and ground support personnel to ensure operational priorities are understood and executed\nProvide organization and preparation in support of Test & Flight Readiness Reviews\nIdentify test hazards and develop / implement real time mitigation actions\nSupport Talon vehicle maintenance & test teams to fulfil operational necessities \nControl on-vehicle priorities and schedules to meet final assembly, test, and flight readiness requirements\nWork closely with the respective vehicle Crew Chiefs to ensure proper vehicle configuration and maintenance is complete to support mission priorities\nAssist with functional system test planning and execution in areas such as avionics, flight control actuation, recovery systems, propulsion integration and propulsion system demonstration activities\nWork with Carrier Aircraft operations teams to ensure successful vehicle mating and integrated systems testing is accomplished\nRespond to emergency situations to ensure the safety of personnel and equipment while assisting as point of contact for first responders; act as mission manager for operations in case of an incident\nSupport execution of integrated vehicle ground test activities\nContribute to high-speed vehicle test data gathering and ensure test results are appropriately reviewed, documented, and controlled\nProvide inputs to refine and mature the high-speed vehicle Concept of Operations including ground and flight operational procedures, timelines, checklists, and emergency response actions, starting from vehicle post manufacture initial testing through recovery of vehicles and return to flight ready state\nParticipate in payload customer meetings, including meetings for payload integration/de-integration planning, integrated vehicle testing and data product delivery\nFacilitate payload hardware and software integration and integrated test on high-speed test vehicles\nAssist in evaluation of risks and risk mitigation plans to determine if the risks are appropriate and risk mitigations are adequate\nTravel, as needed, to support design, mission planning, mission execution, and other tasks\nDemonstrate integrity, accountability, and initiative to fulfill commitments\nDevelop concept of operations for all launch and recovery locations. This includes coordination among many different teams and external parties\nQUALIFICATIONS:\nTo perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty 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:\nREQUIRED:\nProven technical aerospace leadership experience, including supervision and training in a technical operations environment with a focus on execution readiness\nAptitude to analyze and prioritize tasks on their own initiative, and drive projects to completion, to fit within overall business goals\nAbility to lead a large team, make decisions, communicate requirements, and quickly adapt to changing priorities/real world conditions\nPrevious experience with new, experimental, or modified aircraft, launch vehicles or spacecraft, technical and safety review boards, and configuration control methods\nExperience with engineering, scheduling, and test data analysis tools\nKnowledge of risk management or safety management systems\nHave excellent written and verbal communication skills\nBe able to work irregular hours and workdays, and travel periodically\nUS Citizenship / Ability to obtain and maintain a secret security clearance\nCritical thinking skills, and problem-solving attitude a must\nPREFERRED:\nBachelor’s degree in engineering, or similar technical foundation\nProfessional Flight Test Course\nKnowledge of launch vehicle or aircraft requirements verification and development of requirements\nUnderstanding of launch vehicle, air-launch, or high-speed flight programs\nPrior involvement with government flight test organizations, ranges, and procedures\nExperience operating in a classified work environment or with classified hardware\nPrevious expeditor or production superintendent familiarity\nExisting TS/SCI Clearance\nEDUCATION & EXPERIENCE:\n Staff Level ($130,800-$150,000): Bachelor’s degree (B.S.) from accredited institution and 8+ years of engineering experience, OR equivalent combination of education and experience \nSpecial remarks regarding work environment:\nThis position is located in Mojave, CA\nTravel, as needed, to support the department, travel estimated to be <20%\n#LI-Onsite\nBase salary and leveling are established on a case-by-case basis. We consider several factors to ensure a competitive offer, including your location, educational background, and a comprehensive assessment of the skills and experience demonstrated during your interviews.\nBenefits and our location(s) : \nHealthcare (medical, dental, vision, prescription drugs)\nPaid Maternity and Parental Leave\n50% company match per contributed dollar into 401(k) savings plan, up to $11,500\nTuition reimbursement\nThis position may involve the operation of company vehicles as part of assigned duties.\nMojave 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. \nNot 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. \nFood 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.\nStratolaunch is an equal opportunity employer that values diversity at our company. We encourage people from all walks of life to apply, without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, disability or any other characteristic protected by law. Our management team does not tolerate discrimination or harassment at any point during our employees’ and applicants’ time with us, especially with respect to recruitment, hiring, placement, promotion, transfer, training, compensation, benefits, employee activities, and general treatment during employment. For purposes of transparency, U.S. Citizenship may be required for some positions with a government clearance and certain other restricted positions.\nEqual Employment Opportunity is the Law :\nhttps://www.dol.gov/ofccp/regs/compliance/posters/pdf/eeopost.pdf","description_format":"text","description_chars":9162,"description_truncated":false,"requirements":{"experience_years_min":8,"management_years_min":null,"team_size_min":null,"manages_managers":false,"education":{"level":"bachelor","optional":false},"security_clearance":true,"languages":[]},"benefits":["Parental leave"],"hiring_locations":[],"hiring_excludes":[],"relocation_offered":false,"industries":["Space Services","Defense Manufacturing"],"lifecycle":[{"event":"open","at":"2026-11-06T23:54:20Z"}],"visa":[],"liveness":{"score":86,"band":"hot","label":"Hiring now","p_open":1,"p_active":0.86,"p_room":1,"age_days":0,"expected_fill_days":80,"reasons":["conf:1","win:early"],"computed_at":"2026-11-07T05:47:08Z"},"pay":{"stated_usd_annual":150000,"is_top_pay":false},"html_url":"https://alion.io/job/stratolaunch-staff-operations-engineer","json_url":"https://alion.io/job/stratolaunch-staff-operations-engineer.json","meta":{"generated_at":"2026-11-08T00:28:55Z","cache_seconds":300,"methodology":"https://alion.io/methodology","terms":"https://alion.io/terms","contact":"https://alion.io/contact","api":"https://alion.io/developers","about":"Alion is a live layer of people, companies and AI agents: who they are, whether they are real and active right now, what they do and how to work with them, readable by people and by agents and paid per call.","catalog":"https://alion.io/catalog.json","usage":{"tier":"crawler_verified","counted_by":"address","units_charged":1,"used_today":1098,"day_limit":null,"remaining_today":null,"minute_limit":300,"resets_at":"2026-11-09T00:00:00Z"}},"offers":[{"id":"company.slices","title":"One company in depth, by slice","status":"live","price":{"credits":0.02,"usd":0.002,"plus_per_slice":{"credits":0.05,"usd":0.005}},"unit":"per company, plus each slice with data","note":"the employer in depth","call":{"mcp_tool":"get_company","arguments":{"id":445024},"rest":"https://alion.io/mcp/rest/get_company?id=445024"},"human":"https://alion.io/catalog?offer=company.slices&for=job%2Fstratolaunch-staff-operations-engineer"},{"id":"market.stats","title":"A market slice: pay, demand and time to fill","status":"live","price":{"credits":1,"usd":0.1},"unit":"per slice","note":"pay, demand and time to fill for this role and place","call":{"mcp_tool":"market_stats"},"human":"https://alion.io/catalog?offer=market.stats&for=job%2Fstratolaunch-staff-operations-engineer"},{"id":"job.search","title":"Open jobs by role, technology, place, pay and visa","status":"live","price":{"credits":0.02,"usd":0.002},"unit":"per posting in a list","note":"similar open postings","call":{"mcp_tool":"search_jobs"},"human":"https://alion.io/catalog?offer=job.search&for=job%2Fstratolaunch-staff-operations-engineer"},{"id":"company.verify","title":"Is this company real and active right now","status":"pilot","price":null,"unit":"per company","request":{"url":"https://alion.io/catalog/request","method":"POST","body":"{\"offer\": \"company.verify\", \"for\": \"job/stratolaunch-staff-operations-engineer\", \"note\": \"what you need it for\"}"},"human":"https://alion.io/catalog?offer=company.verify&for=job%2Fstratolaunch-staff-operations-engineer"}],"agent":{"mcp":"https://alion.io/mcp/jobs","mcp_open":"https://alion.io/mcp/open","next":[{"tool":"get_job","arguments":{"id":3898640}},{"tool":"search_jobs","arguments":{"company":"stratolaunch.com","detail":"compact"}},{"tool":"match_people","arguments":{"job_id":3898640},"note":"people open to offers who fit this vacancy"}],"note":"The same data through MCP tools: https://alion.io/mcp/open needs no sign-in (compact searches, postings, people); https://alion.io/mcp with an Alion account has everything. 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