Air-launched hypersonic vehicle design and manufacturing for defense and space access
Stratolaunch designs and manufactures air-launched hypersonic vehicles (Talon-A platform) for national defense and routine space access. The stack—C++, VxWorks, CATIA, SolidWorks, IBM DOORS—reflects aerospace-grade systems engineering and embedded avionics work; adoption of MES signals a push to tighten manufacturing discipline. Engineering dominates the 56-person hiring slate (36 roles, mostly senior), paired with manufacturing and test infrastructure work, indicating heavy focus on flight vehicle integration and ground systems rather than sales-led growth.
Stratolaunch operates an aerospace manufacturing business centered on hypersonic vehicle development and operations. Based in Mojave, California, the company designs and produces air-launched vehicles capable of sustained high-speed flight and payload delivery, targeting both defense applications and commercial space access use cases. Core projects span propulsion flight test operations, environmental test instrumentation, electrical and avionics systems integration for the Talon-A platform, and experimental payload integration. The 201–500 person organization is heavily weighted toward engineering and manufacturing talent, reflecting the hands-on complexity of aerospace vehicle development, testing, and launch operations.
Talon-A, an air-launched hypersonic vehicle designed for payload delivery, space access, and high-speed flight testing. Active development includes propulsion systems, avionics integration, and ground infrastructure.
Aerospace CAD (CATIA, SolidWorks, AutoCAD), systems engineering (IBM DOORS, SysML, Rhapsody), embedded systems (C++, VxWorks, C#), and collaboration tools (Jira, SharePoint). Recently adopting MES for manufacturing operations.
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