Lead Technician, Manufacturing

Virgin Galactic; Phoenix (AZ); Sur place; USD 80 000 - 115 000; Plein temps

Résumé du poste

Virgin Galactic seeks a Lead Manufacturing Technician to guide bonding, assembly, and test processes for spaceship airframe structures and rocket motor components. You will work from drawings and instructions across composites bonding, fixturing, drilling, sealing, and checks to deliver high‑quality spacecraft components.

Expect 4/10 onsite schedules with occasional future shifts; lead teams, troubleshoot issues, and ensure safety and quality standards while mentoring technicians in a dynamic

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or equivalent.
• Five years of technician experience in aerospace/high-reliability field with two years leading/mentoring.
• Experience with aircraft fabrication/production fabrication and assembly.
• Familiarity with multiple fasteners.
• Hands-on experience in precision, manual manufacturing.
• Knowledge of drill speeds/feeds for materials.
• Ability to read and interpret drawings/blueprints/models.
• Willing to be clean shaven to wear a full-face respirator.
• Lean manufacturing and continuous improvement experience.
• Ability to use computers to follow manufacturing work instructions.

Responsabilités

• Provide technical guidance to shop floor teammates.
• Collaborate with Supervisor to meet milestones and forecast work packages.
• Follow Supervisor directions to coordinate cross-team projects.
• Fabricate and assemble composite parts and sub-assemblies of varying complexities.
• Safely operate shop tools and machines (drills, grinders, calipers).
• Trim, bag, mix materials, composites and resins to specifications.
• Apply adhesives and resin ratios to tight tolerances.
• Read and apply engineering drawings to assemblies.
• Support spacecraft integration operations with new skills as needed.
• Coach and develop technicians; contribute to team goals.

Connaissances

Leadership

Hands-on

Attention to detail

Reading blueprints

Team collaboration

Problem solving

Formation

High School Diploma or equivalent

Outils

Drills

PFDs

Jiffy/E-Tech tools

Setti Tec

Description du poste

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