Engineer II, Systems

Virgin Galactic; Tustin (CA); On-site; USD 88,000 - 135,000; Full time

Job summary

Virgin Galactic is seeking a Systems Engineer to join the systems engineering team responsible for design, development and verification of our space flight systems. You will work with a team of professionals in requirements definition, architecture, development and verification to deliver transformative space experiences.

The role emphasizes collaboration across disciplines, adherence to safety and regulatory standards, and participation in design reviews and customer meetings.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in a STEM discipline is required.
• Minimum 5 years of systems engineering experience in aerospace.
• Experience with Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) using Cameo or equivalent.
• Proficiency with a requirements management tool (DOORS) for capture and traceability.
• Experience with avionics, mechanical, interior, electrical, and structures integration and verification.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong interpersonal skills and collaboration across the organization.
• Detail-oriented, organized, and adaptable in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong problem-solving mindset and safety-forward thinking.
• Familiar with PPE and regulatory safety practices.
• Willingness to adjust thinking and approach when needed.
• Ability to communicate in a timely, respectful manner.

Responsibilities

• Support systems engineering activities across the project lifecycle from concept through delivery.
• Define system performance requirements and assure compatibility of interfaces.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to design and integrate subsystems.
• Develop and manage system requirements with traceability from objectives to components.
• Contribute to design trade studies and product development planning.
• Participate in major design reviews (SRR, PDR, CDR, TRR) and customer meetings.
• Perform system and requirements validation and verification to meet mission goals.
• Review test plans, procedures, reports, data, and waivers.
• Maintain safety behavior and FOD awareness; follow regulatory protocols.
• Prioritize timeliness and execution of tasks; support cross-team collaboration.

Skills

STEM Degree

5+ Years Experience

MBSE Cameo

DOORS

Systems Integration

Communication

Team Collaboration

Detail-oriented

Problem Solving

Safety Awareness

PPE Familiarity

Flexibility

Effective Communication

Education

BSc in STEM

Tools

DOORS

CAMEO

ENOVIA

SysML

MBSE

Job description

Virgin Galactic is seeking a Systems Engineer to join the systems engineering team responsible for the design/development and verification of our innovative and unique space flight systems. Guided by our values, “Safety Above All”, we proactively manage the risks inherent in human spaceflight through our daily actions. The Systems Engineer will join a team of talented systems engineers comprising discipline professionals with expertise, systems architecting, requirement definition, development and management and systems verification and validation. Our unique flight vehicles are critical components in allowing us to deliver a groundbreaking customer experience that includes compelling views of the earth from space, and a one-of-a-kind apogee experience that our customers will never forget. Our goal is to deliver a transformative experience that changes the way people look at the planet and their place in it.

Responsibilities

• Support systems engineering activities across the project lifecycle, from concept through delivery.
• Evaluate operational needs to define system performance requirements, integrate technical parameters and assure compatibility of all physical, functional and program interfaces.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to design and integrate various subsystems.
• Develop and manage system requirements, ensuring traceability from high-level objectives down to component specifications, including interfaces
• Contribute to design trade studies and product development planning.
• Participate in major design reviews (SRR, PDR, CDR, TRR) and customer meetings.
• Perform system and requirements validation and verification to ensure compliance with mission goals.
• Review test plans, procedures, and reports; review test data and waivers.
• Continuously practice safety behavior and Foreign Object Debris (FOD) awareness/prevention; adhere to regulatory protocols and rules.
• Maintain focus on timeliness and execution of tasks and deliverables every day.
• Work collaboratively to achieve goals and/or complete assigned tasks
• Adhere to set directions and guidelines from team leader to support collaboration across teams to complete projects.

Required Skills And Experience

• Bachelor’s Degree in a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering or Math) discipline
• Minimum 5 years of relevant systems engineering experience with either government or commercial aerospace/space programs.
• Experience with Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) using tools such as Cameo or equivalent.
• Proficiency in using requirements management tool (such as DOORS) for requirements capture and traceability.
• Experience with Requirements definition, specifications, integration and verification of avionics, aircraft mechanical systems, interior design, electrical systems, and structures.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to collaborate across all levels of the organization.
• Detail-oriented, organized, and adaptable in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong problem-solving mindset and passion for working in a team-driven culture.
• Strong safety forward thinking, practice good housekeeping, tool control, recognizing the importance of properly handling hazardous materials and chemicals.
• Familiar with the use of personal protective equipment (PPE).
• Demonstrate willingness to adjust thinking and behavior.
• Ability to communicate in a manner that is timely, respectful, and open to other ideas.

Preferred Skills And Experience

• Advanced degree in Systems Engineering.
• Experience with DOORS, CAMEO, ENOVIA, SysML, MBSE, or comparable toolsets.
• Familiarity with aerospace quality and certification standards (AS9100, DO 178/254, ARP4754A).
• Positive, proactive, and resilient in dynamic environments.
• Passion for challenging the status quo to elevate engineering excellence.

The annual U.S. base salary range for this full-time position is $88,477.00–$134,981.00. 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 https://vgcareers.virgingalactic.com/global/en/benefits

Who We Are

Virgin Galactic is an aerospace and space travel company, pioneering human spaceflight for private individuals and researchers with its advanced air and space vehicles. We are making the dream of space travel a reality, delivering spaceflight at an unprecedented frequency, with the development of next generation space vehicles.

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, gender identity, 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.