Long Wall

Produces hypersonic testbeds and defense interceptors

Head of Launch Systems

Engineering LeadershipConfirmed live in the last 24 hours

Full-timeLong Beach, CA, USA$145k - $230k /yrIn-person

About the Job

Requirements

A B.S. in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Systems Engineering, or a related technical discipline is required.
At least 8 years of progressive engineering experience in ground support, launch ground systems, or industrial/energy ground infrastructure is required.
Hands-on experience with at least two of the following system domains is required: electrical systems including power distribution, wiring harnesses, and control electronics; power systems including prime power, UPS, switching, and protection; pneumatic systems including high-pressure gas handling, regulators, and valves; hydraulic systems including actuators, manifolds, and fluid circuits; or structural/mechanical systems including fabricated ground structures, mechanisms, and tight-tolerance structures.
Experience leading or co-leading a multidisciplinary engineering team on a hardware development program is required.
A background in aerospace ground systems such as launch vehicles, missiles, or satellites, or a similar discipline such as oil and gas, automotive, or large field equipment, is required.
Familiarity with requirements management, design review processes, and systems engineering fundamentals is required.
The ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. Secret security clearance is required, and U.S. citizenship is required.
The role is on-site in Long Beach, California.
The position requires U.S. person status, including U.S. citizens, permanent residents, individuals granted asylum, or individuals admitted as refugees, to access export-controlled information.
The work may involve launch structures, high-pressure systems, and energetic materials, with personal protective equipment required.
The employee must be able to lift up to 25 pounds and occasionally work in confined spaces or at elevated heights.
The employee must be able to sit or stand for extended periods and use a computer to complete assignments.
The employee must be able to communicate with individuals and groups in person, by phone, and via telepresence.

Responsibilities

Lead end-to-end design and development of a 40-foot containerized launch system for a new interceptor, meeting performance, safety, and reliability requirements.
Architect, detail, and validate major subsystems, including electrical systems for power distribution, control wiring, and interfaces; power systems for primary and backup power, energy storage, and conversion; pneumatic systems for high-pressure gas management, purge, and actuation; hydraulic systems for actuator control, pressure regulation, and fluid management; and structural systems including welded container structures and mechanisms, as well as structural, thermal, vibration, and acoustic analysis.
Define system-level requirements and flow them down to subsystem and component levels.
Oversee trade studies, preliminary design reviews, critical design reviews, test readiness reviews, and technical baseline management.
Directly manage and develop a team of 3–5 engineers across mechanical, electrical, and systems disciplines.
Assign work, set priorities, conduct performance reviews, and mentor team members toward career growth.
Coordinate schedules and deliverables with internal stakeholders.
Work with external customers to develop key system interfaces and requirements.
Represent the launch system in internal design reviews, customer briefings, and supplier meetings.
Own technical risk identification and mitigation planning across all launch system subsystems.
Lead detailed system design as a player/coach, with work weighted toward the lead technical contributor role.
Lead system integration and qualification testing, including functional, environmental, and acceptance testing.
Develop and review test plans, procedures, and anomaly reports.
Support field deployment and operational readiness at test and operational sites.
Coordinate with safety engineering to ensure compliance with applicable range and system safety requirements.
Travel domestically and internationally up to 25%, including extended periods at remote test sites.

Desired Qualifications

A master's degree in engineering or a related field is preferred.
Experience with canister-based or Vertical Launch System launch system design and integration is preferred.
A background with ISO container-based mobile systems or rapidly deployable weapon or sensor platforms is preferred.
Familiarity with MIL-STD-461, MIL-STD-810, MIL-HDBK-17, or equivalent standards is preferred.
Experience with structural fabrication and inspection to AWS D1.1, AWS 17.1, or equivalent is preferred.
An active Secret or Top Secret/SCI security clearance is preferred.
Hands-on experience integrating and testing propulsion or energetics ground systems is preferred.
Knowledge of safety and reliability methodologies, including failure modes and effects analysis, fault tree analysis, and preliminary hazard analysis, is preferred.
Program management exposure, including earned value, integrated master schedules, and risk registers, is preferred.

Salary Range: 145000 to 230000 (Currency: USD) (Pay period: per-year-salary)

Long Wall Company was created in 2024 to accelerate missile defense technology for the U.S. and our allies. We specialize in ballistic missile defense and are developing Cyclops, a low-cost, mass-producible interceptor. We also produce containerized launchers and offer low-cost targets for threat replication. The future of global security depends on defensive technology that redefines cost, magazine depth, and distribution to deter and defend against evolving threats. Join us.

WHAT WE LOOK FOR

Mission-Driven Problem Solvers – The problems in missile defense demand ingenuity. We want engineers, technicians, and corporate professionals who approach challenges with curiosity, embrace failure as a learning opportunity, and stay focused on delivering the best solution for the mission.

Total Ownership – We seek those who take full responsibility for delivering flight-ready work while recognizing that no one succeeds alone. The best engineers, technicians, and corporate professionals make their teammates better, knowing that complementary skills create force multiplication and drive mission success.

Head of Launch Systems

Description

We are seeking an experienced and driven Head of Launch System to lead the design, development, integration, and qualification of interceptor launchers and ground support equipment. These launchers will enable deployment of a missile defense interceptors in low cost, discreet form factors. This leader will own the full system lifecycle, from design through fielding across all subsystem domains including electrical, power, pneumatic, hydraulic, structural systems, and USG safety requirements. This role will carry forward Long Wall’s proven track record of developing mobile launch systems and leverage the heritage of operating the Ironwood ground system for liquid launch vehicles. This is a highly visible leadership role responsible for both technical excellence and people management.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

System Design & Development

Lead end-to-end design and development of a 40-ft containerized launch system for a new interceptor, meeting all performance, safety, and reliability requirements.
Architect, detailed design and validation of all major subsystems, including:
Electrical systems — power distribution, control wiring, and system interfaces
Power systems — primary and backup power, energy storage, and conversion
Pneumatic systems — high-pressure gas management, purge, and actuation circuits
Hydraulic systems — actuator control, pressure regulation, and fluid management
Structural systems — Container mechanical (welded structures and mechanisms) design and structural, thermal, vibration , and acoustic analysis
Define system-level requirements and flow down to subsystem and component levels.
Oversee trades studies, design reviews (PDR, CDR, TRR), and technical baseline management.

Program & Team Leadership

Directly manage and develop a team of 3–5 engineers across mechanical, electrical, and systems disciplines.
Assign work, set priorities, conduct performance reviews, and mentor team members toward career growth.
Interface with internal stakeholders to coordinate schedules and deliverables.
Work closely with external customers to develop key system interfaces and requirements
Represent the launch system in internal design reviews, customer briefings, and supplier meetings.
Own technical risk identification and mitigation planning for all launch system subsystems.

Development, Integration, Test & Field Operations

Lead detailed system design, operating as ‘player/coach’ with work split biased towards lead technical contributor
Lead system integration and qualification testing, including functional, environmental, and acceptance testing.
Develop and review test plans, procedures, and anomaly reports.
Support field deployment and operational readiness activities at test and operational sites.
Coordinate with safety engineering to ensure compliance with all applicable range and system safety requirements.

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:

B.S. in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Systems Engineering, or a related technical discipline.

8+ yrs of progressive engineering experience in ground support, launch ground systems, or industrial/energy ground infrastructure.

REQUIRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:

Demonstrated hands-on experience with two or more of the following system domains:

Electrical systems (power distribution, wiring harnesses, control electronics)

Power systems (prime power, UPS, switching, protection)

Pneumatic systems (high-pressure gas handling, regulators, valves)

Hydraulic systems (actuators, manifolds, fluid circuits)

Structural/mechanical systems (fabricated ground structures, mechanisms, tight tolerance structures)

Experience leading or co-leading a multi-discipline engineering team on a hardware development program.

Background in aerospace ground systems (launch vehicles, missiles, satellites) or a similar discipline (oil and gas, automotive, large field equipment)

Familiarity with requirements management, design review processes, and systems engineering fundamentals.

Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. Secret security clearance (U.S. citizenship required).

This is an on-site role based in Long Beach, California.

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:

Master’s degree in engineering or a related field.

Experience with canister-based or VLS (Vertical Launch System) launch system design and integration.

Background with ISO container-based mobile systems or rapidly deployable weapon/sensor platforms.

Familiarity with MIL-STD-461, MIL-STD-810, and MIL-HDBK-17 or equivalent standards.

Experience with structural fabrication and inspection to AWS D1.1, AWS 17.1, or equivalent

Active Secret or Top Secret/SCI security clearance.

Hands-on experience with the integration and testing of propulsion or energetics ground systems.

Knowledge of safety and reliability methodologies, including FMEA, FTA, and PHA.

Program management exposure (Earned Value, IMS, risk registers).

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

Work is performed in a combination of office, laboratory, and field environments.

May require work near launch structures, high-pressure systems, and energetic materials; PPE required.

Ability to lift up to 25 lbs; occasionally work in confined spaces or at elevated heights.

Domestic and international travel up to 25%, including extended periods at remote test sites.

Ability to sit or stand for extended periods of time

Ability to use a computer to complete assignments

Ability to communicate with individuals and groups in person, by phone, and telepresence

While performing the duties of this job, the employee will typically work in an office environment

ITAR Requirement

This position requires access to information protected under US export control laws, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations and/or the Export Administration Regulations. As such, US person status (including US citizens, U.S. permanent residents, individuals granted U.S. asylum status, or individuals admitted in U.S. refugee status) is a required qualification for this position.

Equal Opportunity Employer

We are an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, protected veteran status, disability, genetics, or citizenship status (when otherwise legally authorized to work and access export-controlled data) and will not be discriminated against on the basis of such characteristics or any other status protected by the laws or regulations in the locations where we operate. We encourage applicants of all ages.

National Security Suitability
Depending on the position, Long Wall may require the successful completion of a national security suitability screening in addition to its standard background check. Where required, the screening is conducted by Long Wall’s Facility Security Officer following offer acceptance and may include verification of any current or prior U.S. government security clearances or public trust positions. Information provided during the screening is used solely to determine suitability for the role and is held in confidence by Security. For positions subject to this requirement, any offer of employment is contingent upon a favorable suitability determination.

About the Company

Long Wall

Produces hypersonic testbeds and defense interceptors

Long Wall repurposes its launch heritage to serve U.S. defense needs, building deployable space and missile-defense testing tools for the government. Its RSX is a hypersonic flight-test vehicle used as a test bed and threat-replication target, Ironwood is a containerized ground system for responsive launch, and Cyclops is a surface-launched interceptor designed to engage missiles in midflight. Unlike rivals pursuing commercial satellite launches, Long Wall focuses on U.S.-made defense hardware and offers an integrated set of launch/test and interception capabilities to shorten timelines and reduce costs. Its goal is to strengthen national security by providing ready-to-use, deployable defense testing and interception solutions for government customers.

Company size: 51-200
Company stage: Grant
Total funding: $659.9M
Headquarters: Long Beach, CA
Founded: 2025

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