Specialist Engineer

Your Mission at Virgin Galactic

This role is located in Tustin CA. Candidates will be required to work on site 4x per week.

As the Static Test Article Technical Lead within our Test & Evaluation Program Team, you will be responsible and accountable for leveraging your technical expertise to support the successful testing of Static Test Articles for the Delta Program that meet technical requirements.  You will be responsible and accountable for all technical decisions made regarding the configuration, setup and test results associated with the Static Test Articles.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Design, build and deliver products that achieve technical, cost, and schedule objectives.
• Support the successful development of project plans, including baselining, and execution within the approved baseline cost, schedule, and scope.
• Leverage your experience to help the Virgin Galactic team refine and deploy test processes aligned with industry best practices
• Collaborate with other organizations across the company (Supply Chain, Manufacturing, Business/Cost Management, Quality, etc) as required to ensure execution of your projects.

What you bring:

• Intellectual curiosity and passion for the Virgin Galactic mission of connecting people through spaceflight
• Minimum of a B.S. in Engineering or technical discipline from an accredited university
• Minimum 14 years of experience with the design, development, integration, and testing of aerospace systems products
• Hands-on experience in systems test lab environment.
• Deep understanding of composite airframe design, stress analysis and testing of primary structure.
• Leadership experience on a product development and/or test team in a collaborative, fast paced environment
• Demonstrated success leading aerospace development projects.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with a high attention to detail
• Collaborative team player with excellent written and interpersonal communication skills
• Applicants must be U.S. persons as defined by the ITAR (22 CFR §120.15)

Experience or Expertise in any of these areas a plus:

• Aerospace test practices including component acceptance and qualification, structural validation, environmental testing, instrumentation, and data acquisition.
• Full Scale / Large Scale testing of primary structure in a FAR 23/25 or DoD environment.
• Aircraft systems development and/or testing per DO-254 and DO-178
• Environmental Qualification standards such as DO-160, MIL-STD-810, MIL-STD-461/464, MIL-STD-704

The annual U.S. base salary range for this full-time position is $132,100.00–$201,550.00. The base pay actually offered will vary depending on job-related knowledge, skills, location, and experience and take into account internal equity. Other forms of pay (e.g., bonus or long term incentive) may be provided as part of the compensation package, in addition to a full range of medical, financial, and other benefits, dependent on the position offered. For more information regarding Virgin Galactic benefits, please visit

Who We Are

Virgin Galactic is transforming humanity’s relationship with space. By making it more open and accessible, we are connecting the world to the love, wonder and awe inspired by space travel, helping to create new opportunities for the benefit of life on Earth. Whether it’s supporting cutting-edge research missions for scientists and students, or offering life-changing experiences for the adventurers among us, Virgin Galactic is THE spaceline for Earth. Such an audacious vision requires a team as driven as they are curious – one capable of redefining the boundaries of what’s possible.

Export Requirements
To conform to U.S. Government export regulations, applicant must be a U.S. Person (either a U.S. citizen, a lawful permanent resident or a protected individual as defined 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3) or be able to obtain the required authorization from either the U.S. Department of State or the U.S. Department of Commerce. The applicant must also not be included in the list of Specifically Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons maintained by the Office of Foreign Assets Control. See list here.

EEO Statement
Virgin Galactic is an Equal Opportunity Employer; employment with Virgin Galactic is governed on the basis of merit, competence and qualifications and will not be influenced in any manner by race, color, religion, gender, national origin/ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, marital status, mental or physical disability or any other legally protected status.

DRUG FREE WORKPLACE
Virgin Galactic is committed to a Drug Free Workplace.  All applicants post offer and active teammates are subject to testing for marijuana, cocaine, opioids, amphetamines, PCP, and alcohol when criteria is met as outlined in our policies. This can include pre-employment, random, reasonable suspicion, and accident related drug and alcohol testing.

PHOENIX EMPLOYMENT REQUIREMENTS
For individuals seeking employment at our Phoenix Mesa Gateway Airport facility, employment is contingent upon you obtaining and maintaining a TSA authorized security badge. This includes initial and annual mandatory background checks that are governed by TSA, and conducted by the Phoenix Mesa Gateway Airport badging office.