Propulsion Test Lead — Rocket Systems

Virgin Galactic; Mojave (CA); On-site; USD 72,000 - 105,000; Full time

Job summary

Virgin Galactic is seeking a Lead, Propulsion Test to lead the propulsion test team in our Spaceship Propulsion group. You will drive test systems, mentor technicians, and ensure safety and regulatory compliance during maintenance, fabrication, and assembly of propulsion components.

This role requires hands-on experience in test operations, data collection, and propulsion hardware, with a background in aerospace fabrication and risk assessment.

Qualifications

• Minimum 2 years of college level education and/or combination of work and education is required.
• Graduated from a technical college or other recognized apprenticeship, and/or on the job training, experience is required.
• Minimum 5+ years line maintenance, Test site operations, test component and systems fabrication experience are required.
• Prior experience with Data collection, electronics and system fabrication is required.

Responsibilities

• Lead implementation of Test systems and Test structures.
• Lead technicians to accomplish assigned maintenance, preventive maintenance, and repair work on the rocket system test platform and all test components.
• Checks, dismantles, adjusts, overhauls, repairs, fabricates, removes, and installs all parts of Test article and Test fixtures, including propulsion systems, Electrical and Data recording equipment & instruments, fuel & pressurizing systems, and mechanical systems.
• Performs machine tool work and Metal fabrication in connection with the above mechanical and systems maintenance work.
• Ensure compliance with all safety regulations and protocols, conducting regular inspections and risk assessments, and implementation of PPE to maintain a safe working environment.
• Accountable to complete and sign work records in connection with work performed.
• Inspects, dismantles, adjusts, overhauls, repairs, fabricates, assembles, removes, and installs all propulsion system components/assemblies, including electronic equipment & instruments, pressurization systems, and mechanical systems.
• Inspect parts, sub-assemblies and completed assemblies only to the extent necessary to determine, accomplish and approve own work.
• Responsible for operational procedures for propellant/cryogens/pressurized gases loading.
• Will be required to, but not limited to work on base maintenance type workloads valid for the rocket systems test platform.
• Coach, train, set directions and guidelines for the team to support collaboration across team members to drive projects to completion.
• Be an example of safety behavior and Foreign Object Debris (FOD) awareness/prevention; adhere to regulatory protocols and rules.
• Willing to work in a Hazardous environment with High Energetic Materials

Skills

Team leadership

Maintenance experience

Data collection

Electronics

Fabrication

Safety awareness

Communication skills

CDL

Education

Technical college or apprenticeship

Tools

Test systems

Test structures

Propulsion systems

Electrical equipment

Data recording equipment

Instrumentation

Job description

Virgin Galactic is seeking a Lead, Propulsion Test to lead the propulsion test team in our Spaceship Propulsion group. You will drive test systems, mentor technicians, and ensure safety and regulatory compliance during maintenance, fabrication, and assembly of propulsion components.

This role requires hands-on experience in test operations, data collection, and propulsion hardware, with a background in aerospace fabrication and risk assessment.