Lead Manufacturing Technician, Avionics

Virgin Galactic; Mesa (AZ); On-site; USD 72,000 - 105,000; Full time

Job summary

Virgin Galactic in Mesa, AZ is seeking a Lead Avionics Technician to oversee technicians on avionics harness fabrication, wiring, and installation for a fly-by-wire spacecraft. The role emphasizes safety, schedule adherence, and collaboration with engineering teams.

The position requires five years in aerospace electronics, strong drawing interpretation, and hands-on troubleshooting across a manufacturing environment.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• Five years aerospace tech experience with leadership responsibilities.
• Experience with aircraft wire harness fabrication and installation.
• Ability to read drawings/blueprints/models.
• IPCA-620 knowledge; certification a plus.
• Experience using shop tools and measurement devices.

Responsibilities

• Provide technical guidance to shop floor teammates.
• Coordinate with Supervisor to meet milestones and forecast durations.
• Adhere to directions to support cross-team collaboration.
• Lead fabrication, installation, and testing of avionics hardware.
• Fabricate avionics harnesses and integrate on vehicle.
• Ensure safety and regulatory compliance (FOD awareness).
• Promote development and training of technicians.
• Ensure quality and efficient installations and troubleshoot processes.

Skills

Leadership experience

Wire harness fabrication

Hand tools operation

Blueprint reading

Manufacturing instructions

Drawing interpretation

Education

High School Diploma or equivalent

Tools

Shop Tools/Machinery

Job description

Virgin Galactic is seeking a highly motivated Lead Avionics Technician to assist with the oversight of manufacturing technicians in Mesa. Guided by our values, "Safety Above All", we proactively manage the risks inherent in human spaceflight through our daily actions in the design and assembly efforts. In this role, you will work hands-on with the unique avionics’ architecture of a full fly by wire spaceship that include but not limited to harness installation, wire tying, wire bundle routing, wire stripping, wire terminations, ring outs, troubleshooting and other dynamic and exciting spacecraft manufacturing operations.

Primary tasks are associated with the unique avionics architecture of a full fly by wire spaceship that include but not limited; utilize Shop Tools/Machinery to include multimeters, soldering irons, crimpers, wire strippers and cutters. Maintain focus on timeliness, execution of tasks and deliverables every day. Support the company strategy by holding ourselves and one another accountable for getting the work done.

Current Work Schedule

• 4/10 Onsite Monday through Thursday Day Shift (6:00am - 4:30pm)

Potential Future Work Schedules

• 4/10 Onsite Monday through Thursday Night Shift (4:00pm - 2:30am)
• 4/10 Onsite Thursday through Sunday Day Shift (6:00am - 4:30pm)

Responsibilities

• Assist with providing technical guidance to shop floor teammates
• Work closely with Supervisor to ensure that daily milestones are met, forecast completion dates and estimate work package durations
• Adhere to set directions and guidelines from Supervisor to support collaboration across teams to complete projects
• Assist with supporting and leading the manufacturing team in installation, design, development, and testing of parts and technologies used on aircrafts or in space exploration
• Fabricate and assemble avionics LRU’s and harnesses and integrate on vehicle
• Ensure teammates practice safety behavior and Foreign Object Debris (FOD) awareness/prevention and adhere to regulatory protocols and rules
• Encourage and provide development and training opportunities for technicians
• Ensure quality and efficiency of installations, including troubleshooting and may provide guidance in troubleshooting processes and concepts to adhere to assembly instructions to ensure accurate completion of complex project assemblies
• Fabricate and assemble avionics components and install on ship to include wire harnesses, data acquisition units (DAU's, sensors
• Work collaboratively to achieve goals and/or complete assigned tasks

Required Skills and Experience

• High School Diploma or equivalent
• Understanding of IPCA-620 standards; certification is a plus
• Minimum five years of experience as a technician in an aerospace or equivalent high-reliability field with two years of leading and mentoring others and/ or demonstrated ability to lead and train on technical tasks and projects
• Experience with aircraft wire harness fabrication and installation
• Experience with hand tools, leading teams to ensure safety and correct drilling techniques in both composite and metal structures, including composite/metal stack-ups
• Aircraft fabrication and assembly or equivalent experience
• Experience in both a precision and manual manufacturing environment strongly preferred
• Demonstrated ability to use computer applications to follow manufacturing work instructions
• Ability to read and interpret drawings, blueprints, and/or models on paper or digital

Preferred Skills and Experience

• Knowledge of applying current manufacturing practices and willingness to learn cutting edge spacecraft manufacturing techniques and/or Airframe & Power plant (A&P) training
• Strong ability to communicate in a manner that is timely, respectful, and open to other ideas
• Knowledge of lean manufacturing philosophies and tools a plus
• Strong ability to get into the details, while maintaining a broader view
• Strong safety forward thinking, practice good housekeeping, tool control, recognizing the importance of properly handling hazardous materials and chemicals
• Ability to lift up to 50 pounds
• Familiar with the use of personal protective equipment (PPE)

#LI-MS1

The annual U.S. base salary range for this full-time position is $72,134.00-$105,019.00. 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.

Accommodation Requests

If you require a reasonable accommodation to apply for a position, please contact the Virgin Galactic Talent Team at: [e-mail]

Mandatory Notices

Employee Polygraph Protection Act Rights (https://www.dol.gov/sites/dolgov/files/WHD/legacy/files/eppac.pdf)

E-Verify_Participation_Poster_Eng_Es

Your Employee Rights Under the Family and Medical Leave Act (https://www.dol.gov/sites/dolgov/files/WHD/legacy/files/f/mln.pdf)

Know Your Rights: Workplace Discrimination is Illegal