Sr. Configuration Design Engineer

Virgin Galactic is a seeking an experienced configuration design engineer with experience in aerospace vehicle sizing, and configuration integration of trans-atmospheric vehicles. You will be supporting ongoing activities transforming the future of high-speed suborbital global mobility. You will be responsible for analyzing, evaluating, and formulating development strategy for vehicle configuration designs in disruptive, safe, and reusable high-speed solutions to global connectivity. You will also be responsible for providing technical leadership and mentorship, promoting a culture of continual improvement and quality within the R&D Team.

• Lead conceptual-level design, layout, and vehicle integration/packaging activities during development of high-speed vehicle(s), define technical requirements, and set a path to meet requirements.
• Collaborate with the extended VG engineering organization to integrate flight sciences, mass properties and other disciplines as part of design programs.
• Perform trade studies including vehicle configuration, weight, performance, structural and equipment layout, propulsion, and payload.
• Provide Outer Mold Line surface definition, wing planform design, fuselage shaping, control surface placement, propulsion placement, subsystems integration, etc., following aerospace best practices.
• Prepare performance specifications, requirements, and statement of work documents for both internal team members and suppliers.
• Execute existing VG conceptual design analysis programs and support development or acquisition of new conceptual design software tools and methods.
• Review work and technical findings from both internal team members and suppliers.
• Present work and technical findings with justification to management and senior leadership through design reviews and program milestones.
• Develop customer presentations, provide engineering reports, specifications, and proposal inputs.

What You Bring

• Bachelor’s degree in aerospace engineering, and/or equivalent, with a minimum of 10 years of related experience
• Demonstrated experience with aerospace vehicle design and build teams/projects with emphasis in high speed or suborbital performance.
• Strong CAD experience in CATIA V5, 3DX preferred.
• Ability to develop parametric configuration models to support multi-disciplinary design and optimization (MDAO)
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with a high attention to detail.
• Proven ability to lead technical work in an environment with multiple stakeholders.
• Excellent proactive communication (oral, written, presentation), interpersonal, negotiation and organizational skills.
• Demonstrated ability to mentor teammates and coworkers on configuration development and the complex integration of the vehicle systems.
• Working programming knowledge of MATLAB, Python.
• Ability to execute strategic goals and objectives in support of the overall company goals and objectives.

The annual U.S. base salary range for this full-time position is $105,700.00–$161,200.00. 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 transforming humanity’s relationship with space. By making it more open and accessible, we are connecting the world to the love, wonder and awe inspired by space travel, helping to create new opportunities for the benefit of life on Earth. Whether it’s supporting cutting-edge research missions for scientists and students, or offering life-changing experiences for the adventurers among us, Virgin Galactic is THE spaceline for Earth. Such an audacious vision requires a team as driven as they are curious - one capable of redefining the boundaries of what’s possible. 

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, 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.