Specialist Test Technician

Virgin Galactic; Irvine (CA); On-site; USD 62,000 - 88,000; Full time

Job summary

Virgin Galactic is seeking a talented and motivated technical person to join our Test & Evaluation team to help get our next generation of spaceships to space. Guided by our 'Safety above All' value, we proactively manage risks in human spaceflight through our testing activities.

This hands-on role emphasizes fabrication, setup, calibration, data collection, and collaboration across teams to meet program objectives and raise the bar on test quality and safety.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or equivalent.
• Minimum of 4 years in testing components/subsystems/systems.
• Ability to read/interpret drawings, blueprints, models.
• Experience with mechanical fabrication from 3D models or drawings.
• Experience with test asset instrumentation and electrical/mechanical tools.
• Experience in an agile work environment.

Responsibilities

• Fabricate test article instrumentation and wire harnesses.
• Set up, calibrate, and fabricate test components and perform testing.
• Operate and supervise test equipment and environmental chambers.
• Collect data and report results to engineers/managers.
• Maintain/test assets and support cross-team collaboration.
• Support design of test systems and assist engineers on projects.
• Provide feedback for process improvements and document procedures.

Skills

Reading drawings

Mechanical assembly

Test data collection

Problem solving

Communication skills

Agile environment experience

Education

High School Diploma

Tools

NI cDAQ/cRIO/PXI

DMMs, scopes, function generators

Jira/Confluence

Job description

Virgin Galactic is seeking a talented and motivated technical person join our Test & Evaluation team to help get our next generation of spaceships to space! Guided by our values, “Safety above All”, we proactively manage the risks inherent in human spaceflight through our daily actions in all of our testing activities.

Responsibilities

• Fabricate test article instrumentation, electro-mechanical assemblies, fluid and test equipment wire harnesses
• Set up, calibrate, and fabricate test components and carry out laboratory, component, assembly and vehicle testing
• Operation and the supervision of operation, of test equipment (custom, materials, environmental chambers, altitude chambers, thermal vacuum chambers, vibration tables, and more)
• Collect test data and report results to designated managers and engineers
• Monitor and control maintenance of test assets (custom, materials, environmental chambers, altitude chambers, thermal vacuum chambers, vibration tables, and more)
• Strongly influence the design of test systems, fixtures and setups
• Assist engineers and other technicians on production and R&D test projects
• Adhere to set directions and guidelines from team leader to support collaboration across teams to complete project
• Provide usage feedback of test systems to engineering for process improvement
• Work collaboratively to achieve goals and/or complete assigned tasks
• Execute other duties as required by Virgin Galactic senior leadership to support company and program objectives

Required Skills And Experience

• High School Diploma or equivalent
• Minimum of four (4) years of experience in testing components, subsystems and/or systems required or equivalent industry
• Ability to read and interpret drawings, blueprints, and/or models on paper or digital
• Experience with:
• mechanical assembly fabrication from 3D models, 2D mechanical drawings, parts lists or cable harness fabrication from wire diagrams, layout drawings, parts lists;
• test asset instrumentation with strain gages, load cells, pressure transducers
• Experience with:
• the operation of saws, lathes, mills and/or other mechanical tools
• the operation of soldering irons, DMMs. scopes, function generators, power supplies, wire cutters/strippers/crimpers and/or other electrical tools
• Structural and/or Systems test experience
• Shop floor manufacturing and inspection technologies knowledge
• Must possess excellent interpersonal and verbal communication skills
• A hands-on mentality and an emphasis on continuous improvement is needed to support the airframe and systems test lab successfully
• Strong safety work ethic – recognizes the importance of properly handing hazardous materials and tools, as well as working around highly energized systems
• Ability to troubleshoot and solve problems
• Demonstrated ability to use computer applications to follow work instructions
• Experience in an agile work environment

Preferred Skills And Experience

• Experience conducting environmental testing per DO-160, SMC-S-016 or MIL-STD-810 environments (e.g. vibration, thermal, humidity, TVAC, waterproofness, proof pressure)
• Familiarity with data acquisition and/or control hardware, NI cDAQ/cRIO/PXI preferred
• Familiarity with NI FlexLogger
• Familiarity with precision measurement tools
• J-STD-001 or NASA-STD-8739.3 certification
• Familiar with quality assurance processes, including non-destructive testing methods
• Laboratory or industrial computer application proficiency
• Technical report writing skills
• Atlassian production experience (Jira, Confluence)
• Demonstrated willingness to adjust thinking and behavior
• Ability to collaborate on technical projects with fellow technicians, or interdepartmental functions to achieve goals or solve problems
• Ability to communicate in a manner that is timely, respectful, and open to other ideas
• Ability to get into the details, while maintaining a broader view
• Strong safety forward thinking, practice good housekeeping, tool control, recognizing the importance of properly handling hazardous materials, and chemicals
• Familiarity with the use of personal protective equipment (PPE)

Physical And/or Additional Requirements

• Must be able to work all shifts and available for overtime as well as weekends when needed
• Must be able to travel as needed (10% Travel expected)
• Must be able to stand for extended periods (4 hours)
• Must be able to stoop, bend, crawl, and being able to maneuver in tight spaces
• Medium work: exerting up to 50lbs of force rarely, 20lbs occasionally, 10lbs frequently to move objects

The annual U.S. base salary range for this full-time position is $61,526.00–$87,516.00. 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.