Facilities Manager

Virgin Galactic; Truth or Consequences (NM); On-site; USD 110,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Virgin Galactic is seeking a Technical Facilities Manager to ensure mission-critical facilities at Spaceport America are ready for launch and flight operations. This hands-on leader will supervise maintenance across mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and HVAC systems and drive preventive programs to meet aerospace standards.

Based in Truth or Consequences, NM with daily on-site presence and collaboration across operations, safety, and engineering teams.

Qualifications

• 7+ years of facilities or maintenance experience in critical environments.
• Hands-on experience across mechanical, electrical, plumbing, HVAC.
• Ability to write and maintain SOPs and PM programs.
• Experience with CMMS-driven work orders and preventive maintenance.
• Strong budgeting, vendor negotiations and cost-control skills.
• On-site work in Truth or Consequences, NM and daily presence at Spaceport America.

Responsibilities

• Own day-to-day mechanical, electrical, plumbing, HVAC, and facilities readiness.
• Perform real-time troubleshooting during operations and flight days.
• Lead preventive maintenance programs for all building systems.
• Manage vendors, contractors, and maintenance budgets.
• Develop SOPs, schedules, work orders, and checklists.
• Ensure compliance with NM state codes, FAA‑impacted operations, OSHA, and Spaceport requirements.
• Supervise on-site technicians and provide status updates to leadership.

Skills

Facilities management

Mechanical systems

Electrical systems

HVAC systems

SOPs & PM programs

CMMS & work orders

Budgeting & cost control

Vendor negotiations

Leadership & mentoring

Communication & collaboration

Job description

This role is responsible for ensuring all mission-critical facilities and building systems at Spaceport America are fully operational, safe, and ready to support the spaceflight program. The Technical Facilities Manager is a hands-on expert who has worked as a technician and has deep experience across mechanical, electrical, plumbing, HVAC, and general facility systems. The manager will execute and supervise maintenance activities, manage vendors, lead preventive maintenance programs, support launch-day readiness, and ensure the facility meets all regulatory, safety, and operational requirements.

This position is based in Truth or Consequences, NM, with daily presence at Spaceport America and occasional support for other New Mexico facilities.

Responsibilities

• Operational Readiness & Mission Support
• Own the day-to-day mechanical, electrical, plumbing, HVAC, structural, and general facility readiness to ensure launch and flight operations are never impacted.
• Perform real-time troubleshooting and corrective actions during operational windows, including quick-turn support for flight days.
• Conduct daily facility walkdowns with a focus on mission-critical systems readiness.
• Partner closely with Mission Operations, Safety, Engineering, and GSE teams to align facility status with operational schedules.
• Facilities Operations & Maintenance
• Oversee daily facility operations, maintenance, repairs, grounds, utilities, shop readiness, and safety.
• Perform technician-level tasks as needed (painting, carpentry, basic electrical/mechanical/HVAC/plumbing) to maintain operations and service levels.
• Lead/execute preventive maintenance programs for all building systems and critical infrastructure.
• Ensure hangars, workshops, warehousing, storage rooms, and mission-critical spaces are maintained to aerospace operational standards.
• Maintain and operate specialized systems including high-capacity HVAC units, compressed air systems, drinking water systems, industrial electrical distribution, fire/life-safety systems, and backup power generation.
• Process, Documentation & Compliance
• Develop, document, implement, and maintain facility SOPs, maintenance schedules, work orders, and checklists.
• Ensure compliance with NM state codes, FAA-impacted operations environments, OSHA, environmental regulations, and Spaceport America requirements.
• Drive improvements using 5S, PM optimization, and reliability-centered maintenance practices.
• Budget, Vendor, and Project Management
• Create and manage facility budgets, forecasts, capital requests, and cost-control measures; report KPIs.
• Manage contractors and vendors, including sourcing, bids, contracts, oversight, and invoice validation.
• Scope, plan, and execute small‑to‑medium capital projects, upgrades, and renovations, ensuring minimal operational disruption.
• Supervise and develop on-site technicians and contractors; conduct training and performance reviews.
• Provide clear communication, status updates, and recommendations to leadership, including mission‑support impacts.

Required Skills & Experience

• 7+ years of facilities or maintenance experience with at least 3+ years as a senior technician or lead tech in industrial, aerospace, manufacturing, or mission‑critical environments.
• Demonstrated hands‑on experience in mechanical, electrical, plumbing, HVAC, troubleshooting, and general facility systems.
• Proven ability to respond quickly to technical issues in operational environments (aviation, aerospace, industrial plant, utilities, etc.).
• Experience writing and maintaining SOPs, PM programs, and CMMS-driven work‑order systems.
• Strong financial acumen including budgeting, vendor negotiations, and cost control.
• Valid driver’s license; able to work onsite in T or C and remote desert environments daily.

Preferred Skills & Experience

• Strong attention to detail, safety, and operational discipline.
• Comfortable working in a fast-paced operations environment with irregular schedules driven by flight cadence.
• Exceptional communication and collaboration with engineering, operations, mission control, and cross‑functional teams.
• Customer-service and mission‑oriented mindset; passionate about enabling safe, successful spaceflight.