What you’ll do:

Depending on size and complexity, a Subsystems Engineer may own one or more vehicle systems (Propulsion, Fuel / Energy Storage, Electrical, Avionics, Landing Gear, Flight Controls, Hydraulics, Environmental Controls / Pressurization, etc.), or they may work on a team helping to develop a single system to maturity. Regardless, these engineers are responsible for fleshing out an initial requirement and translating that into a design that meshes with the overall aircraft goals. This means conceptualizing a solution, negotiating detailed requirements, performing detailed design and analysis, developing definition (models, drawings, schematics, work instructions), supervising fabrication and installation, defining and performing operational tests, and ultimately, acting as a system subject matter expert as the vehicle moves into integrated tests and flight. 

The Subsystems Engineer will get to explore the nooks and crannies (i.e. bowels and hell-holes) of our airplanes all while smelling like jet fuel, contorting under cabin floors, climbing into engine nacelles, squinting at multi-meters, and trying to figure out why the thing isn’t doing the thing it’s supposed to. If this is your idea of a good time, we’d love to learn more about you!

Category: Engineering

Location: Mojave, CA

Citizenship Required: United States Citizenship

Clearance Type: None

Schedule: 9/80 Work Schedule

Relocation Assistance: Relocation assistance may be available

Benefits: 100% Paid Benefits and 401k Matching 

About Scaled

Founded by visionary aircraft designer Burt Rutan, Scaled Composites has been in the business of Designing, Building, and Flying unique airplanes and spacecraft for over 40 years. We are a modestly sized company, constantly building small teams of empowered and capable employees to achieve extraordinary accomplishments in aerospace. From the farthest (Global Flyer), to the largest (Stratolaunch), to the highest (SpaceShipOne, Proteus), and many in between, Scaled’s track record of innovation has pushed against and expanded some of the most stubborn corners of the flight envelope. 

We honor that legacy today by doing what we’ve always done - seeking out the hardest problems in aerospace and having fun while solving them. With an average of a new design first flight for every year of our existence, there is no better place to practice the arts and science of new aircraft development than here at Scaled.

Duties and Responsibilities may include, but are not limited to: 

Developing end-to-end mechanical sub-system conceptsSelecting and / or designing system componentsDetermining loads and system demands based on vehicle requirementsAnalyzing system performance with installation details, documenting the work, and presenting results for reviewDesigning for fault-tolerant behavior of all critical subsystemsDeveloping build documentation (drawings, work instructions) and supervising part and system fabrication and integrationDeveloping functional, acceptance-level, and “qualification” level test procedures and conducting testsProviding system knowledge and expertise to, or potentially as part of, the flight test team for informed conduct of initial and ongoing vehicle flight testing

Required Qualifications:  

Understanding of and ability to analyze system behaviorKnowledge of related system components and their functionsAbility to operate test and vehicle instrumentation to verify system performanceStrong problem solving, organizational, and communication skillsExperience in 3D Computer Aided Design (CAD)Ability and interest to work across multiple engineering disciplines on an aggressive scheduleBachelor of Science in a relevant engineering discipline or substantial equivalent experienceAbility to obtain and maintain a Department of Defense (DoD) secret clearance

Preferred Qualifications: 

Experience in NX, Catia V5, or SolidworksRapid prototyping experienceHands-on design and build experienceAerospace experience (work history, pilot’s license, experimental aircraft building, etc.)DOD Secret ClearanceAdditional degrees or additional relevant work experience

Essential Job Functions: 

Requires mobility and the ability to bend and reach May infrequently require lifting, carrying, pushing, and/or pulling materials (Ground Power Units, fuel bowsers, small aircraft) with a force up to 30 pounds Manual dexterity and coordination are required; repetitive hand motion (e.g., to operate computer keyboard, test equipment, aircraft avionics) Vision at close distances and the ability to adjust focus for prolonged periods (i.e., computer screen, flight displays)Ability to remain sedentary or stationary for prolonged periods of time Ability to write for extended periods of time Ability to work in an office setting for prolonged periods of timeMay be asked to carry up to 20 lbs. up and down a flight of stairs on a regular basis such as files, books, office equipment, test hardware, etc. Occasional reaching overhead and lifting up to 15 poundsAbility to converse and communicate information with othersOccasional exposure to chemical vapors and/or fumes in low non-hazardous concentrationPotential to climb up and down steps on a daily basisMust be able to read and understand Safety Data Sheets (SDS)