Specialist Engineer, Flight Test

Socket.dev; Tustin (CA); On-site; USD 136,000 - 208,000; Full time

Job summary

Virgin Galactic is seeking a Specialist Engineer, Flight Test to lead ground and flight test activities and coordinate with Engineering, Maintenance, and Flight Operations. The role emphasizes safety, regulatory compliance, and thorough documentation.

The candidate will develop test plans, hazard analyses, and reports, while ensuring test configurations and procedures meet mission requirements and schedule integrity. Travel between sites may be required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, preferably in aerospace with 12 years of flight test experience.
• Thorough understanding of aeroelastic flutter, fly-by-wire flight controls, handling qualities, and mechanical systems.
• Able to manage multiple tasks simultaneously in a complex product development environment.
• Experience with risk management and requirements management processes (IMP/IMS preferred).
• Ability to obtain FAA Second-Class medical certificate.

Responsibilities

• Lead ground test and flight test activities.
• Gather and develop the test requirements from engineering disciplines.
• Turn requirements into test configurations, procedures, conditions, and maneuvers.
• Develop test plans, including hazard analyses.
• Develop the test schedules with project engineers and program managers.
• Coordinate test schedules with Maintenance, Engineering, and Flight Operations.
• Define control room display requirements and updates.
• Define and monitor configurations for tests.
• Conduct TRRs, TSRBs, FRRs, or support major program milestones.
• Monitor and conduct tests on the aircraft and spaceships.
• Provide daily reports on vehicle progress and test results.
• Write test reports documenting results.

Skills

Flight test leadership

Aerospace engineering

Test planning

Hazard analysis

Control room operations

Regulatory compliance

FAA medical certification

Travel readiness

Education

Bachelor's degree in engineering (aerospace preferred)

Tools

IMP/IMS

Configuration management

Job description

As a Specialist Engineer, Flight Test, you will lead ground and flight test activities. Guided by our values, "Safety above All", we proactively manage the risks inherent in human spaceflight through our daily actions, ensure the project meets mission requirements and maintains technical, budgetary and schedule integrity. You will be the communication liaison between engineers and managers by developing consistent test methods, processes, and procedures and be responsible for coordinating activities involved with planning, executing, and reporting on ground and flight tests. You will plan, support, and conduct test missions, provide timely test reports, and provide some analysis as required. The Specialist Engineer, Flight Test works closely with Engineering to turn their requirements into specific test procedures and plans to verify the safe and effective operations of our flight test vehicles. Configuration control, test conduct, and reporting are standard duties.

Responsibilities

• Lead ground test and flight test activities
• Gather and develop the test requirements from the different engineering disciplines
• Work with Engineering to turn requirements into test configuration, procedures, conditions, and maneuvers
• Develop test plans, including hazard analyses
• Develop the test schedules with project engineers and program managers.
• Coordinate test schedules with Maintenance, Engineering, and Flight Operations.
• Define control room display requirements and updates
• Define and monitor configurations for tests
• Conduct test readiness reviews (TRRs), technical safety review boards (TSRBs), flight readiness reviews (FRRs), or support major program milestones
• Monitor and conduct tests on the aircraft and spaceships
• Provide daily reports on vehicle progress and reports on tests as flown and completed
• Update flight logs and test documentation
• Write test reports to document results
• Continuously practice safety behavior and Foreign Object Debris (FOD) awareness/prevention; adhere to regulatory protocols and rules
• Work collaboratively to achieve goals and/or complete assigned tasks

Required Skills and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, preferably in aerospace with 12 years of flight test experience
• Thorough understanding of aeroelastic flutter, fly-by-wire flight controls, handling qualities, and mechanical systems
• Passionate, and organized team member ready to support complex test operations
• Able to manage multiple tasks simultaneously and thrive in a complex product development environment with multiple priorities
• Experience with IMP/IMS, risk management, configuration management, requirements management processes preferred
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with high attention to detail - Team player with excellent organizational and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to handle multiple tasks while maintaining attention to detail and accuracy and working under tight time deadlines.
• Experience leading a control room for mission-critical test campaigns
• Able to hold an FAA Second-Class medical certificate
• Travel between Las Cruces, NM and Spaceport America is 50-70% in 2027

Preferred Skills and Experience

• A general understanding of aerospace drawings, specifications, and manufacturing processes
• Understanding and familiarity with the National Airspace System (NAS), Military Operating Areas (MOAs), and other Special Use Airspaces (SUAs)
• Practitioner and advocate of good crew resource management (CRM) practices
• Test Pilot School graduate or flight test course work

#LI-MS1

The annual U.S. base salary range for this full-time position is$136,063.00–$207,596.00. 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.