Sr. Engineer, Loads

The Senior Loads Engineer will be responsible for advancing the external loads development for the suborbital Spaceship, mothership, and other special projects. The Senior Loads Engineer will also be responsible for providing technical leadership and mentorship, promoting a culture of continual improvement and quality within the Loads Team.

Virgin Galactic is seeking a seasoned engineer with experience in loads, dynamics, aerodynamics, and structures. The candidate will build on an intimate knowledge of all aircraft systems. The engineer will also support instrumentation planning, mission control preparation, data processing, and model evaluation for flight testing and vehicle envelope expansion.

Responsibilities

• Support loads event simulation model development and validation of loads criteria for suborbital space missions and other unconventional configurations
• Support pre-flight preparation including review of test limitations, flight test plans and procedures, flight readiness reviews, mission control room support, and post flight analysis
• Work with other internal and external engineering groups to ensure proper application of design and loads requirements
• Develop airframe and component loads for structural design and qualification
• Support entry into commercial service by ensuring that regulatory and internal company requirements related to loads are met
• Develop standardized analysis and reporting tools
• Perform model updates from data collected during vehicle or component testing and data created with analytical tools
• Develop and maintain loads databases representing all mission phases
• Develop and substantiate rational loads criteria and requirements for unique vehicles with unconventional configurations
• Develop and improve standards, processes, and best practices
• Determine methods and procedures on new assignments and coordinate activities of other team members

Required Skills and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace Engineering, and/or equivalent, with a minimum of 9 years, or Master’s degree in Aerospace Engineering, and/or equivalent, with a minimum of 7 years, or Ph.D. degree in Aerospace Engineering, and/or equivalent, with a minimum of 4 years of related experience.
• Test planning experience is highly desired, including flight and ground testing, writing test plans, instrumentation selection and planning, and data verification
• Test execution experience is highly desired, including familiarity with standard flight test practices and safety processes
• Experience in flight test aerodynamic and loads model validation and correlation
• Experience with full aircraft analysis – transonic required, launch vehicle desirable, supersonic highly desirable
• Working knowledge of aircraft and spacecraft systems
• Experience with flight dynamics 6DOF trajectory simulation
• Familiarity with relevant aerospace standards and structural design criteria (FAA, FAA-AST, NASA, MilSpec, etc.)
• Advanced programming skills: MATLAB, Python, C, C++
• Experience with CATIA V5 and NASTRAN
• Strong ability to work system tasks, and adept at communicating with multiple interfaces
• Proven ability to lead technical work in an environment with multiple stakeholders
• Excellent proactive communication (oral, written, presentation), interpersonal, negotiation and organizational skills
• Ability to successfully complete assigned tasks with minimal supervision and oversight
• Applicants must be U.S. persons as defined by the ITAR (22 CFR §120.15)

Preferred Skills and Experience

• Knowledge of software development best practices like code review and configuration management
• Working knowledge of FORTRAN, Simulink
• Experience in other Flight Sciences disciplines

Physical and/or Additional Requirements

The position will be based out of our Tustin office with a hybrid schedule.

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, 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.