Carrier Aircraft Chief Engineer (Hypersonic)

Location: Mojave, California, United States. Strong preference for fully onsite work; hybrid arrangements may be considered for well-qualified candidates with at least 75–80% onsite time. Travel is estimated at less than 10%.

Base salary: $157,000–$206,000 for Staff level or $181,000–$237,300 for Principal level, annually. Final leveling and compensation are determined based on qualifications and experience.

Company

hirify.global engineers operationally realistic Mach 5+ testing using reusable air-launched Talon testbeds and launch platform aircraft, including the Spirit of Mojave, a 747-400, and Roc.

What you will do

• Own technical data packages, technical baselines, and change control for launch platform aircraft.
• Lead multidisciplinary engineering teams supporting aircraft modification, maintenance, operation, and test readiness.
• Apply systems engineering principles to control scope, manage risk, and drive technical execution.
• Lead store integration and certification efforts with internal hypersonic programs and external customers.
• Support experimental aircraft certification, ground and flight test planning, technical reviews, and program proposals.
• Build staffing plans, identify skill gaps, and manage engineering staff for the Launch Platforms service center.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in an applicable field and 10–20 years of relevant experience for Staff level, or 20+ years of engineering experience for Principal level; equivalent combinations may be considered.
• Experience maintaining, modifying, and testing experimental aircraft, with strong systems engineering fundamentals.
• Demonstrated experience leading technical employees, balancing cost, schedule, and technical performance, and recruiting and hiring engineers.
• Experience supporting defense contracts and classified programs, with the ability to obtain a DOD security clearance.
• US citizenship required; ability to interact with customers and external stakeholders.
• Familiarity with FAR Part 21 and Part 25 and proficiency with MS Office.

Nice to have

• Experience integrating air-launched stores and familiarity with military store carriage devices and bomb racks such as MAU-12.
• Expertise with MIL-STD-1760, MIL-STD-1553, MIL-HDBK-1763, store certification, and relevant authorities.
• Experience as a Chief Engineer overseeing development programs and working in matrixed organizations.
• Experience with hypersonic flight vehicle design, development, and test.
• Active DOD security clearance.

Culture & Benefits

• 9/80 work schedule.
• Medical, dental, vision, and prescription drug coverage.
• Paid maternity and parental leave.
• 50% company match on 401(k) contributions, up to $11,500.
• Tuition reimbursement.