Manager, Test Instrumentation

Virgin Galactic; Tustin (CA); On-site; USD 96,000 - 148,000; Full time

Job summary

Join a pioneering aerospace company as a Test Instrumentation Manager, where you'll lead a talented team to design and maintain cutting-edge test equipment for next-generation spaceships. This role emphasizes safety, innovation, and collaboration, ensuring that engineering and manufacturing needs are met for all Space Line programs. With a focus on continuous improvement, you'll drive best practices in test engineering while fostering an inclusive work environment. If you're ready to take on a leadership role in a groundbreaking industry, this opportunity is perfect for you.

Qualifications

• 6+ years of experience in test instrumentation for various engineering disciplines.
• 2+ years of demonstrated leadership experience in a technical environment.
• Ability to manage schedules and budgets effectively.

Responsibilities

• Oversee ground testing instrumentation and test equipment for Space Line programs.
• Manage Test Instrumentation schedules and budgets, ensuring compliance.
• Drive continuous improvement in test engineering and operations activities.

Skills

Test Instrumentation

Leadership

Analytical Skills

Project Management

Safety Management

Team Motivation

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering

Master's degree in Engineering

Tools

Project Management Software

Confluence

Jira

PLM Systems

Job description

Virgin Galactic is seeking a talented and motivated technical leader to lead a variety of Test & Evaluation activities for our next generation of Spaceships. The Manager, Test Instrumentation for Test & Evaluation department will lead a team of engineers and technicians to design, build, integrate, verify and maintain test equipment and instrumentation for multiple engineering disciplines; including, but not limited to structures, materials, mechanical systems, avionics and flight controls.

Responsibilities

• Oversee the execution of Virgin Galactic’s ground testing instrumentation and test equipment, resources and procedures to meet the needs of the engineering and manufacturing organizations for all Space Line programs

• Actively manage the Test Instrumentation schedules and budgets, regularly working them with both senior leadership and program leaders, suggesting and implementing practically driven plans

• Provide both the technical review and approval of test instrumentation directives including test requirements descriptions, designs, and associated reports

• Participate in technical reviews for Test Operations product development activities and verify technical and operational requirements are properly achieved

• Drive practical continuous improvement of test engineering, instrumentation and operations activities including test processes, capital projects, standardization efforts and training activities

• Be accountable for the development and implementation of engineering tools/methods/processes for the functional area of responsibility

• Review manufacturing plans and procedures to ensure compliance with program, design and other requirements

• Ensure common best practices are integrated across Test Instrumentation

• Deliver department communications through regular staff meetings, provide career planning, performance management, mentoring, and training to the team

• Ensure that all decisions of your team are driven by safety: be the safety focal for Test Instrumentation - drive the adoption of Job Hazard Analyses (JHAs), safety audits for all roles and work functions, and maintain a safety-first culture

• With support from senior management, foster an inclusive work environment that values diversity, sharing, creative problem solving, and strategic thinking

• Conducts personnel evaluations and one-on-ones with team members at regular intervals to:

  • Review and approval of individual timecards, time-off requests, and expense reports

  • Manage team members required company-level training plans

  • Develop personalized growth & development plans, as well as appropriate annual goals, including performance support and tracking

• Execute other duties as required by Virgin Galactic senior leadership to support company and program objectives.

Required Skills and Experience

• 6+ years of experience in test instrumentation including at least one of the following: test software, fixtures, racks, used for component acceptance/qualification, structural test, materials test, or environmental test

• 2+ years of demonstrated leadership experience

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution, with a concentration in a relevant engineering discipline

• Engineering analytical skills in test relevant engineering areas

• Practical knowledge of test instrumentation processes, including requirements gathering, design creation, integrity in build execution, and reporting skills

• Ability to lead schedule management, equating it to scope and cost

• A proven ability to lead and motivate teams

• Demonstrated organizational skills, capable of juggling and completing multiple tasks across different disciplines and programs

• Demonstrated delegation skills

• Experience with project/task management software

Preferred Skills and Experience

• Master’s degree from an accredited institution, with a concentration in a relevant engineering discipline

• Experience with environmental testing of mechanical systems and/or avionics

• Experience with component testing in a DO-160 and/or SMC-S-016 (or similar) environment

• Experience with mechanical and physical testing of materials, with an emphasis on metallic and/or composite materials.

• Working knowledge of PLM systems

• PMP certification

• Advanced Confluence/Jira user

• SharePoint familiarity

• Successfully managing projects and tasks in an Agile environment

• Relevant National Instruments hardware and/or software familiarity

• Working knowledge of UML including Class, Object, Activity, Use Case and Sequence diagrams

• Ability to select data acquisition & control hardware from signal requirements and mechanical design constraints

• Electrical engineering experience, as applied to data acquisition and control (e.g. analog, digital, high speed data signal integrity)

• Hardware system integration experience

• Working knowledge of integration tools (DMM, scope, function generator, power supply, loads, hand tools)

• Working knowledge of mechanical and electrical build tools (wire cutter/stripper/crimper, soldering iron)

• EIM integration knowledge

• Working knowledge of Continuous Integration system setup and management

#LI-DR1

The annual U.S. base salary range for this full-time position is $96,600.00–$147,300.00. 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.