Stratolaunch is a technology accelerator that engineers operationally realistic testing at Mach 5+. Our air-launched, Talon testbeds are reusable, cost-effective platforms that enable routine access to the hypersonic environment. We deliver flight data critical to validating system performance and achieving rapid technology deployment. Together with our customers, we drive innovations that are imperative to advancing national security.

Stratolaunch is seeking a GSE Mechanic to maintain all operational ground support equipment supporting our carrier aircraft and hypersonic vehicles. This hands-on role performs scheduled and unscheduled maintenance and provides dependable equipment support during flight and ground-test operations. The mechanic coordinates equipment readiness and placement with Aircraft Maintenance, Flight Operations, Flight Test, Engineering, and program teams. Occasional mission travel is required.

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES

Inspect, troubleshoot, repair, and test powered and non-powered GSE; perform scheduled and unscheduled maintenance.
Maintain engines, electrical and charging systems, generators, hydraulics, pneumatics, brakes, drivetrains, steering, and cooling systems.
Service ground power units, compressors, hydraulic carts, tow tractors, trailers, and other GSE using technical manuals and approved procedures.
Stage, transport, connect, operate, monitor, disconnect, recover, and store GSE during flight and ground-test operations; verify compatibility and operating limits.
Coordinate on-site equipment placement with Aircraft Maintenance, Flight Operations, Flight Test, Engineering, and program teams; report readiness and limitations.
Perform pre-use, periodic, and post-use inspections; identify leaks, wear, damage, and hazards. Tag and remove unserviceable equipment from use.
Use diagnostic tools, wiring diagrams, and schematics to isolate faults; verify repairs and document serviceability before release under company procedures.
Operate company vehicles; tow and secure equipment using rated connections and spotters. Observe flight-line routes, clearances, speed limits, and exclusion areas.
Maintain inspection and maintenance records, work orders, usage, parts, and discrepancy status; track service intervals and repeat defects.
Apply flight-line safety, foreign object debris (FOD) control, tool control, lockout/tagout, and hazardous-material procedures; isolate stored energy and stop unsafe work.
Keep work areas organized; control spills, fluids, batteries, and waste. Support mission deployments, shift turnovers, and other assigned duties with integrity.

QUALIFICATIONS

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

REQUIRED

3+ years maintaining aviation GSE, gasoline or diesel fleet vehicles, industrial equipment, or comparable military equipment.
Demonstrated troubleshooting and repair skills with gasoline and diesel engines, fuel and cooling systems, brakes, drivetrains, and steering.
Ability to diagnose electrical systems and wiring, batteries, starting and charging systems, and generators using multimeters, load testers, and diagnostic equipment.
Working knowledge of hydraulic and pneumatic pumps, compressors, valves, cylinders, hoses, pressure testing, contamination control, and safe depressurization.
Ability to interpret technical manuals, wiring diagrams, schematics, and maintenance schedules; correctly use hand tools, torque tools, and calibrated test equipment.
Experience performing inspections, preventive maintenance, and functional tests; accurate maintenance documentation and basic computer and work-order system skills.
Knowledge of flight-line safety, FOD control, tool accountability, lockout/tagout, hazardous materials, safety data sheets, spill response, and safe lifting or jacking practices.
Safe towing, load securement, and company vehicle operation skills; valid driver’s license, acceptable driving record, and ability to obtain required equipment authorizations.
Ability to follow checklists, verify GSE output and interface requirements, recognize hazards, and communicate clearly by radio and during shift turnovers.
Ability to work independently and across teams, prioritize changing needs, and report limitations; availability for flexible shifts, weekends, and occasional mission travel.

PREFERRED

Aviation flight-line or flight-test GSE experience, including ground power, servicing equipment, and aircraft towing support.
Welding and fabrication ability; safe use of welding and cutting equipment to build or repair components to approved requirements.
Diesel, automotive, electrical, or industrial maintenance certifications; forklift, aerial lift, or computerized maintenance system experience.

EDUCATION

High school diploma or equivalent required; related vocational, apprenticeship, or military technical training preferred.

Special remarks regarding work environment, if applicable

This position is located in Mojave, CA. Shop, hangar, and flight-line work includes desert heat and cold, wind, dust, noise, exhaust, fuels, oils, and moving equipment.
Must stand and walk for extended periods; bend, kneel, crouch, climb, reach, and work in restricted spaces; use tools and move items up to 50 pounds with lifting aids or team assistance as appropriate, with or without reasonable accommodation.
Must use required PPE, communicate around operating equipment, and recognize gauges, indicators, markings, and hazards, with or without reasonable accommodation.
4/10 schedule
4-6 years experience: $31.00-$39.86
6+ years experience: $34.60-$45.85

Base salary and leveling are established on a case-by-case basis. We consider several factors to ensure a competitive offer, including your location, educational background, and a comprehensive assessment of the skills and experience demonstrated during your interviews.

Benefits and our location(s):

Healthcare (medical, dental, vision, prescription drugs)
Paid Maternity and Parental Leave
50% company match per contributed dollar into 401(k) savings plan, up to $11,500
Tuition reimbursement

This position may involve the operation of company vehicles as part of assigned duties.

Mojave Air & Spaceport is located just outside of Lancaster/Palmdale and is only 95 miles north of Los Angeles. The area offers both affordability and central access to a variety of California's best attractions and landmarks.

Not much for the outdoors and prefer the city life? You’re within a half day’s drive or less of Los Angeles, San Diego, Las Vegas, and San Francisco where you can find a variety of live entertainment, museums, tours, and historical sight-seeing. Theme parks are in abundance, with Six Flags Magic Mountain, Disneyland, and Knotts Berry Farm ready to meet the needs of rollercoaster thrill seekers.

Food and drink fanatics are in a haven of delectable choices. Wine aficionados will also find easy access to some of the state’s best vino in Paso Robles, Santa Ynez, and even more locally in Tehachapi and Agua Dulce. Beer fanatics will find some of the best West Coast IPAs at Bravery and Lucky Luke’s in Lancaster. Any food option you crave is covered, and we always recommend the authentic and fresh Mexican food that you won’t find anywhere else in the United States.

Stratolaunch is an equal opportunity employer that values diversity at our company. We encourage people from all walks of life to apply, without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, disability or any other characteristic protected by law. Our management team does not tolerate discrimination or harassment at any point during our employees’ and applicants’ time with us, especially with respect to recruitment, hiring, placement, promotion, transfer, training, compensation, benefits, employee activities, and general treatment during employment. For purposes of transparency, U.S. Citizenship may be required for some positions with a government clearance and certain other restricted positions.

Equal Employment Opportunity is the Law :

https://www.dol.gov/ofccp/regs/compliance/posters/pdf/eeopost.pdf

About the company

Stratolaunch designs, manufactures, and launches aerospace vehicles and technologies to meet national needs for reliable, routine access to space and to advance the United States’ ability to design and operate hypersonic vehicles. Its offerings span the full end-to-end process of aerospace programs, from initial design through manufacturing to launch operations. The company differentiates itself by focusing on practical space access and the development of hypersonic capabilities, aiming to support national security and defense needs rather than pursuing consumer or commercial applications. The goal is to provide dependable ways to reach space regularly while pushing forward the nation’s hypersonic design and operational expertise.

Company Size

201-500

Company Stage

N/A

Total Funding

N/A

Headquarters

Mojave, California

Founded

2011

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Simplify's Take

What believers are saying

Stratolaunch completed more than ten Talon-A hypersonic flights by July 2026.
Reuters reported a September 2026 IPO plan targeting up to $500 million.
The new 777 should lift flight-test capacity 35% and widen international reach.

What critics are saying

Stratolaunch depends on Pentagon test budgets and MACH-TB demand staying elevated through 2028.
The 777 modification program runs through 2027, exposing execution slippage and integration risk.
If the IPO stalls, Elliott and Cerberus face a capital-strained, auction-prone company.

What makes Stratolaunch unique

Stratolaunch’s Talon-A is America’s only autonomous, reusable, air-launched hypersonic test platform.
On September 30, 2026, Stratolaunch bought a Boeing 777-200ER for global launch operations.
The February 19, 2026 MACH-TB award locked in $90.8 million across two years.

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Benefits

9/80 schedule
Healthcare (medical, dental, vision, prescription drugs)
Paid Maternity and Parental Leave
50% company match per contributed dollar into 401(k) savings plan, up to $11,500
Tuition reimbursement
Paid Holidays
Unlimited Paid Time Off
Remote Work Options
Hybrid Work Options
Flexible Work Hours
Wellness Program
Mental Health Support

Growth & Insights and Company News

Headcount

6 month growth

14%

1 year growth

14%

2 year growth

14%

ch-aviation

Oct 6th, 2026

US's Stratolaunch Systems acquires B777-200ER.

US's Stratolaunch Systems acquires B777-200ER. * Commercial Aviation Stratolaunch Systems Boeing B747-400, (C) Stratolaunch Systems By Daniel Martinez Garbuno 06Oct2026 Stratolaunch Systems (Mojave) has acquired one B777-200ER, expanding its fleet to support the flight test platform for its Talon-A hypersonic test vehicles. The aircraft, whose serial number and registration were not disclosed, will undergo modifications to enable the launch of its Talon-A test vehicles from its fuselage, with completion expected in 2027. In 2023, the company acquired its first aircraft, a B737-400, N949SL (msn 32745), called The Spirit of Mojave. ch-aviation has reached out to Stratolaunch Systems for confirmation on the identity of the new B777. It was not immediately available. Stratolaunch Systems is developing Talon-A, an autonomous, reusable, air-launched hypersonic flight test platform designed specifically for flight testing, enabling the evaluation of advanced technologies under hypersonic flight conditions. The company's carrier aircraft take Talon-A to altitude before it is air-launched. About Stratolaunch Systems.

MRO Business Today

Oct 4th, 2026

Stratolaunch adds Boeing 777 to hypersonic test aircraft fleet.

Stratolaunch adds Boeing 777 to hypersonic test aircraft fleet. Stratolaunch has acquired a Boeing 777-200ER as it expands its carrier aircraft fleet supporting the company's Talon-A reusable hypersonic flight-test vehicles. The aircraft will be modified to enable Talon-A vehicles to be air-launched from its fuselage, with the work expected to be completed in 2027. The addition gives Stratolaunch a third carrier aircraft alongside its existing Spirit of Mojave and Roc platforms. The Boeing 777 acquisition is aimed at increasing Stratolaunch's flight-test capacity and providing greater flexibility for global hypersonic test operations. The company expects the three-aircraft carrier fleet to increase overall flight capacity by approximately 35%, while supporting parallel missions and reducing scheduling constraints. The modification programme will be a key element of integrating the 777 into Stratolaunch's specialised flight-test infrastructure. The aircraft will effectively serve as a reusable first-stage platform, carrying the autonomous Talon-A vehicle to altitude before its release for hypersonic flight testing. According to Stratolaunch, the air-launch approach provides greater deployment flexibility and allows test vehicles to operate across a wider range of mission profiles compared with conventional ground-launched systems. The acquisition follows a series of recent milestones for the company. Stratolaunch said in July 2026 that it had completed more than 10 successful hypersonic flights with Talon-A. Earlier this year, it also announced a US$90.8 million contract under the MACH-TB programme for air-launched hypersonic capability test vehicles. For MRO and aerospace operations, the 777 programme represents the conversion of a commercial widebody platform into a specialised carrier aircraft, requiring structural and systems modifications to support air-launch operations. Once operational, the aircraft will add capacity to Stratolaunch's growing flight-test and support infrastructure.

Aviation International News

Oct 1st, 2026

Stratolaunch Expands Hypersonic Test Fleet With 777

Stratolaunch expands hypersonic test fleet with 777. Third aircraft set to carry Talon-A hypersonic flight test vehicles to launch altitude October 1, 2026 Stratolaunch has acquired an additional aircraft, a Boeing 777-200ER, to support ongoing missions involving its reusable Talon-A hypersonic flight test vehicle. Alongside the private U.S. aerospace group's existing carrier assets - the Boeing 747-400 'Spirit of Mojave' and purpose-built 'Roc' aircraft - the former airliner will now be converted into an airborne 'mothership' to take Talon-A aloft. Announcing the investment on September 30, Stratolaunch said that the 777 will expand its flight test infrastructure. Modifications to enable the air launch of the autonomous Talon-A vehicles from its fuselage are expected to be completed in 2027. These are to be released at altitude and fly in excess of Mach 5 before returning to land on a standard runway. When operational, Stratolaunch estimates this third member of its fleet of test platforms will boost overall flight capacity by 35%. "As demand for hypersonic technologies continues to grow, we're building the operational scale to make routine hypersonic testing a reality for our customers around the world," Stratolaunch CEO Zachary Krevor said. The company describes its custom-designed Talon-A craft as the only autonomous, reusable, air-launched hypersonic flight test platform in the U.S. According to Stratolaunch, "rather than build an entirely new test vehicle for every mission, customers benefit from a reusable platform that increases testing frequency while helping reduce costs and development timelines." In July, Stratolaunch revealed its pair of Talon-A aircraft had completed more than ten successful hypersonic missions to date. In February 2026, Stratolaunch extended its partnership with the Pentagon's Multi-Service Advanced Capability Hypersonics Test Bed program, originally awarded in September 2025. Under this new award, the company pledged to conduct "multiple air-launched flight tests over a two-year period," supporting U.S. military research objectives.

The Edge Media Group

Sep 10th, 2026

US hypersonic firm Stratolaunch prepares IPO to raise up to US$500 mil - Reuters

US hypersonic firm Stratolaunch prepares IPO to raise up to US$500 mil - Reuters. 10 Sep 2026, 10:12 am Filepix for illustration purpose only. WASHINGTON/MEXICO CITY (Sept 9): Hypersonic flight company Stratolaunch is preparing to launch a US initial public offering (IPO) that could raise up to US$500 million as soon as October, a source familiar with the matter told Reuters on Wednesday. Stratolaunch, backed by Elliott Investment Management and Cerberus Capital Management, is seeking a valuation of about US$2 billion to US$3 billion, the source said, adding that Goldman Sachs and Citigroup are leading the IPO preparations. The private US company could make its filing public as soon as this month, said the source, who spoke on condition of anonymity as he is not authorised to speak to the media. Stratolaunch declined to comment when contacted by Reuters. The company operates the only autonomous, reusable, air-launched hypersonic flight test platform in the United States, which it calls the "Talon-A". It also develops expendable hypersonic targets for missile defence testing and military training, as well as weapons subsystems for defence contractors and government customers, according to its website. Activist investor Elliott took a stake in the company and gained board representation, the Wall Street Journal reported in January. The Pentagon said in May 2025 that Stratolaunch was part of a second successful test of a reusable hypersonic test vehicle, following an earlier test of its Talon-A vehicle in December 2024 that was not publicised. Uploaded by Liza Shireen Koshy

PR Newswire

Jul 30th, 2026

Stratolaunch named to Future Union's inaugural All-World Defense 300 list.

Stratolaunch named to Future Union's inaugural All-World Defense 300 list. Jul 30, 2026, 12:00 ET MOJAVE, Calif., July 30, 2026 /PRNewswire/ - Stratolaunch, a leading pure-play hypersonics company, today announced that it has been named to Future Union's inaugural All-World Defense 300, recognizing the most influential private companies that are shaping the future of defense and global national security. The All-World Defense 300 includes defense companies driving innovation and advancing technologies to strengthen national and allied security. Stratolaunch's inclusion reflects the company's continued momentum as a leading pure-play hypersonics company built to deliver the testing, targets, data and systems the U.S. and its allies need to compete in the next era of aerospace defense. "We're honored to be named to Future Union's inaugural All-World Defense 300 alongside organizations helping define the future of defense," said Zachary Krevor, President and Chief Executive Officer of Stratolaunch. "Hypersonics are a national security necessity, and this recognition reflects the dedication of our entire team and the progress we've made in assisting in the acceleration of U.S. leadership in the space. We are proud to be delivering the hypersonic flight test capabilities that our country and our customers need to accelerate the development of next-generation hypersonic technologies." Within the last year alone, Stratolaunch has achieved significant operational milestones that underscore the company's position at the forefront of hypersonic innovation, including: * The completion of more than 10 hypersonic flights with the reusable, fully autonomous Talon-A aircraft; * The successful execution of a Flight Test Experiment for the U.S. Missile Defense Agency, supporting ongoing hypersonic flight testing; and, * The announcement of a $90.8M contract award under MACH-TB 2.0 Task 3 for air-launched capability test vehicles. Stratolaunch continues to expand its hypersonic flight test capabilities, demonstrating increasing operational cadence and providing customers with repeatable flight opportunities that generate real-world data needed to validate advanced systems. About Stratolaunch Stratolaunch is a leading pure-play hypersonics company focused on the design, manufacture and operation of advanced aerospace systems for national security. The company enables faster, more affordable and more realistic hypersonic development through an autonomous, reusable, air-launched flight test platform and a growing portfolio of hypersonic target and mission-system offerings. For the latest news and information, visit www.stratolaunch.com and follow us on Facebook, X, LinkedIn, and Instagram. SOURCE Stratolaunch

Stratolaunch

GSE Technician

About the job