Intern, Materials & Processes

Virgin Galactic internships will be built for in-person experiences. Every year, we help connect students from colleges around the country to the love, wonder and awe created by space travel.

We are excited for you to learn more about Summer Internships at Virgin Galactic!

Internships at Virgin Galactic are typically a 12-week summer experience and a prime opportunity for students to have real hands-on experience that helps push their careers by developing some in-demand skills.

Virgin Galactic interns are empowered to complete real-life projects and will have the opportunity to apply their studies and skills to significant projects while bringing their unique selves to the company.

Our Aerospace & Systems Engineering Interns work on diverse teams, solving real-world problems, while having fun along the way. This is your chance to bring ideas and solutions to life while working on cutting-edge technologies on our spaceflights.

For approximately 12 weeks you will be immersed in our incredible culture and work on challenging and meaningful projects that directly relate to company goals. The hands-on experience you will gain along with opportunities to engage with our exceptional executives, engineers, and other professionals will be incredibly valuable in shaping the foundation for your future.

This position is in our corporate headquarters in Tustin, CA location and require you to be a onsite Monday through Thursday, with a remote option on Friday. 

Responsibilities

As a Materials and Processes Intern with a focus on Composite Materials, you will be assisting the development and improvement of materials and process specifications to consistently produce components with predictable performance as determined by qualification testing. In addition, you are partially responsible for providing the Design team with guidance on the appropriate use of composite materials within a vehicle, considering service requirements, manufacturability, and integration with the rest of the vehicle.

• Pre-liminary review drawings and part models to ensure the use of appropriate materials with necessary drawing notes for the required manufacturing processes
• Draft and revise materials and process specifications as needed to produce products with predictable performance
• Working with team members and leadership, Interact with Manufacturing, Engineering, and other departments for various projects.

Required Skills and Experience

• Currently enrolled in a bachelor’s/master’s degree in a related Materials Science & Engineering discipline.
• Must have at least one additional quarter/semester of school remaining following the completion of the internship.
• An understanding of how materials are characterized, particularly polymer matrix composites.
• The ability to read and write in technical English
• Development of both technical skills as well as leadership qualities.
• Strong interest in commercial space flight

Preferred Skills and Experience

• Basic course or project experience with polymer composite (CFRP/GFRP), particularly hand lay-up with autoclave and out-of-autoclave processing
• Understanding of statistical modeling and tolerance intervals
• Basic course or project experience with standard test methods for material characterization
• Basic computer software skills including MS office, project, Python, Visio, or Sharepoint.

The annual U.S. base salary range for this full-time position is $41,600.00–$55,640.00. 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.