Avionics Data Engineer, Payloads

About the Role

Stratolaunch is seeking an Avionics Data Engineer - Payloads to support the design, build, integration, and testing of experimental customer payloads on the Talon-A hypersonic vehicles. This role involves collaboration with a multi-disciplinary engineering team, program management, and customers.

Key Responsibilities

• Evaluate experimental payload requirements to determine fit for integration onto a hypersonic testbed.
• Work across teams and subsystems to define and implement collection and recording of experimental payload data.
• Contribute to instrumentation and telemetry (data) system requirements development, design, testing, and operation for customer payloads.
• Develop and support instrumentation and telemetry tests.
• Make suggestions and recommendations for improvements, including workflow changes.
• Support the Talon-A Payload Integration Lead.
• Support technical customer reviews and ensure contract deliverables are on time and meet or exceed customer expectations.
• Analyze flight data and generate reports for customers.
• Represent the company professionally.
• Travel as needed to support the company.
• Demonstrate honesty, responsibility, integrity, and fulfillment of commitments.

Requirements & Tech Stack

Required Qualifications

• Experience in instrumentation, telemetry, or network engineering in an operational or regulated test environment.
• Experience with data acquisition systems and dataloggers.
• Experience working with government procurement processes.
• Experience writing system requirements or ability to effectively elicit requirements from a customer.
• Experience with designing test equipment for both bench and in-vehicle testing of electronic assemblies.
• Excellent written and verbal communication.
• Ability to acquire and maintain a DOW security clearance.

Required Skills

• Proficiency with at least one programming language, including but not limited to C/C++/C#, Python.
• Experience with source control systems such as git.
• Fundamental experience with laboratory equipment (e.g., oscilloscope, benchtop power supplies, etc.).
• Proficiency with MS Office (Word, Excel, Outlook, Powerpoint, Visio).

Preferred Qualifications

• Flight test program experience or Mission Control Room console experience.
• Experience designing & manufacturing aircraft harnesses.
• Aircraft and/or launch vehicle development or design experience (electrical, structures, or propulsion systems).
• Experience with integration and test of payloads onto vehicles.
• Expertise with RF devices such as transmitters, receivers, encoders/decoders, or similar.
• Experience with environmental qualification of electronic devices intended for flight vehicles.
• Hands-on aircraft build, piloting, or flight test experience.
• Active DOW TS/SCI security clearance.

Preferred Skills

• Experience with Curtiss-Wright or Safran Data Acquisition Units.
• Experience with NI LabVIEW and NI DAQmx.
• Experience with requirements management tools such as JAMA or Doors.

Education & Experience

Level I: Bachelor’s degree (B.S.) from accredited institution and 0-2 years of engineering experience, OR equivalent combination of education and experience.

Level II: Bachelor’s degree (B.S.) from accredited institution and 2-5 years of engineering experience, OR equivalent combination of education and experience.

Sr Level: Bachelor’s degree (B.S.) from accredited institution and 5-10 years of engineering experience, OR equivalent combination of education and experience.

Work Environment & Location

• Located in Mojave, CA.
• Consideration for hybrid work arrangement with at least 75% on-site time for well-qualified candidates.
• Travel estimated to be <10% in support of the program.
• 9/80 schedule.
• This position may involve the operation of company vehicles.