Lead Technician, Manufacturing

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

Job summary

Virgin Galactic in Mesa, Arizona seeks a Lead Manufacturing Technician to guide shop floor teams in bonding, assembly, and test processes for spacecraft components. You will read engineering drawings, mentor technicians, and deliver high-quality results on a hands-on basis.

The ideal candidate has 5+ years in aerospace manufacturing with leadership experience, strong tool handling, and a commitment to lean practices and safety. Onsite 4/10 schedule; weekend shifts may be required.

Qualifications

• Five+ years as a technician in aerospace or high-reliability field with two years leading/mentoring others.
• Experience with aircraft fabrication or similar production fabrication and assembly.
• Understanding of multiple fasteners.
• Hands-on experience in precision but manual manufacturing.
• Knowledge of drill speeds/feeds and hole tolerances.
• Experience with hand tools and safety in composite/metal structures.

Responsibilities

• Provide technical guidance to shop floor teammates.
• Work with Supervisor to forecast milestones and durations.
• Adhere to supervisor directions to support cross-team collaboration.
• Fabricate and assemble composite parts and sub-assemblies of varying complexity.
• Safely operate shop tools/machinery (drills, grinders, calipers).
• Trim, bag, mix materials and resins to tight tolerances.
• Read and interpret drawings/blueprints/models.
• Support spacecraft integration operations and develop technicians.
• Coach and develop technicians; promote teamwork to achieve goals.

Skills

Leadership & mentoring

Aerospace manufacturing

Reading drawings

Hands-on machining

Quality and safety focus

Education

High School Diploma or equivalent

Tools

Hand drills

PFD

Jiffy/E-Tech tools

Calipers

Job description

Virgin Galactic is seeking a first-rate, highly motivated Lead Manufacturing Technician to support our Vehicle and Rocket Motor Manufacturing teams. 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. This role is for a hands‑on person with great attention to detail, excellent people skills, and a creative, agile mindset ready to overcome challenges and complete projects in a dynamic, pioneering environment.

Working from engineering drawings and detailed work instructions, you will apply and lead our unique bonding, assembly, fabrication, and test processes across both spaceship airframe structures and hybrid rocket motor components. Responsibilities span composites bonding and fabrication, assembly fixturing setup, drilling, fay sealing, wet fastener installation, trimming/fitting, installation and check‑out of aircraft systems, and testing — producing top‑quality components that meet the highest standards. If you thrive on variety, love solving hands‑on problems, and want to be part of the team building the future of spaceflight, you'll feel right at home here.” Support the company strategy by holding ourselves and one another accountable for getting the work done.

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

• Fabricate and assemble composite parts and sub-assemblies of varying complexities and sizes

• Ability to safely and correctly utilize shop tools/machinery to include......(drills, die grinders, calipers, etc.)

• Ability to safely and correctly; trim, bag, mix a variety of materials, composites, chemicals and resins.

• Understanding and familiarity with use of adhesives, mixing/ratios or chemicals/resins to tight tolerances

• Proven technical aptitude and experience

• Work on complex or highly difficult manufacturing assignments, requiring judgement in resolving issues or in making recommendations

• Must be willing to work in both a team environment and/or individually as circumstances dictate

• Follow instructions precisely to complete complex assemblies accurately

• Utilize computer skills to support manufacturing of product(s)

• Ability to apply current skillset as well as a willingness to learn additional skills required to complete spacecraft integration operations

• Encourage, coach and provide development and training opportunities for technicians

• Work collaboratively to achieve goals and/or complete assigned tasks

Required Skills and Experience

• High School Diploma or equivalent

• 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 in technical tasks and projects

• Experience with aircraft fabrication/ or Similar Production Fabrication and assembly required or equivalent

• Understanding and familiarity with multiple types of fasteners

• Hands‑on experience in a precision yet manual manufacturing setting strongly preferred

• Use of hand drills, power feed drills (PFD), Jiffy/E-Tech tools, Setti Tec preferred

• Knowledge of proper drill speeds and feeds for materials being worked

• Understanding of hole angularity and the importance of hole tolerances

• Experience with hand tools, leading teams to ensure safety and correct drilling techniques in both composite and metal structures, including composite/metal stack-ups

• Knowledge of lean manufacturing and continuous improvement practices

• Aircraft fabrication and assembly or equivalent experience

• 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

• Willing to be clean shaven at any given time to wear a full-face respirator or similar

• Ability to support scheduled work shifts, extended hours, and weekends if/when vital

• Hands‑on aerospace manufacturing or auto industry a plus

Preferred Skills and Experience

• Hands‑on experience in a precision yet manual manufacturing setting strongly preferred

• Experience with hand tools (torque wrenches, specialty tools etc.) a plus.

• Experience with plumbing (fluid lines and fittings) a plus.

• Experience with manual lathe and mill operation a plus.

• Experienced with Quality Inspection points and process documentation.

• A strong understanding of the importance of FOD control and tool control.

• Knowledge of lean manufacturing philosophies and tools a plus

• Experience with manufacturing‑based ERP systems a plus

• Knowledge of lean manufacturing and continuous improvement practices

• Willingness to be clean‑shaven and wear respirator when necessary

• Strong safety forward thinking, recognizes the importance of properly handling hazardous materials, chemicals, tools, etc.

#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.virgingalctic.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/fml.pdf)

Know Your Rights: Workplace Discrimination is Illegal