Lead AFSS Avionics Engineer

Responsibilities

• Lead the technical development, implementation, and subsystem-level testing of Autonomous Flight Safety Systems (AFSS) and Flight Termination Systems (FTS)
• Collaborate with range safety personnel to develop technical requirements and review/approve AFSS and FTS documentation
• Support the design, procurement, and build of AFSS Hardware in the Loop
• Contribute to flight test planning for integrated Stratolaunch missions involving carrier aircraft, pylons, and hypersonic vehicles
• Support design reviews throughout the vehicle system development lifecycle
• Evaluate technical risks and develop comprehensive mitigation plans
• Mentor and develop junior engineers within the avionics team
• Provide regular technical updates to the Avionics Chief Engineer and FTS/AFSS Program Manager

Requirements

• Extensive experience in electrical engineering, aircraft integration, or launch vehicle integration
• Proven experience with FTS and/or AFSS components (receivers, batteries, safe and arm devices, ordnance, etc.)
• Experience architecting avionics system designs using COTS or in-house hardware
• Experience tailoring RCC-319 and RCC-324 requirements
• Proficiency with engineering tools such as Matlab and configuration management systems like Git, Bitbucket, or JIRA
• Demonstrated ability to lead cross-functional teams and manage technical project milestones
• Ability to obtain and maintain a Department of Defense (DoW) security clearance

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience developing and certifying safety-critical flight software (DO-178 or equivalent)
• Knowledge of RF system design, including link budgets and antenna placement
• Experience with air-launch programs or aircraft prototype development
• Proficiency in programming languages such as C or C++
• Experience working with government agencies and managing environmental test specifications

Benefits

• 9/80 work schedule
• Comprehensive healthcare including medical, dental, and vision
• Paid maternity and parental leave
• 401(k) with 50% company match up to $11,500
• Tuition reimbursement

About the Company

Stratolaunch is a technology accelerator that engineers operationally realistic testing at Mach 5+. We develop reusable, cost-effective air-launched platforms that enable routine access to the hypersonic environment, providing critical flight data to advance national security and rapid technology deployment.