Senior Engineer, Guidance, Navigation, & Control

Virgin Galactic is seeking a talented and motivated GNC engineer with piloted simulation experience. The focus of the role is developing the flight control systems to deliver superior handling qualities throughout the unique mission profile of Spaceship. You will collaborate with aerodynamics engineers, flight test engineers, mechanical systems, and pilots. The ideal candidate will have at least 5 years of experience with aerospace vehicle control systems and simulation.

Responsabilities

• Participate in test planning, sim evaluation, and analysis of handling qualities for Spaceship.

• Design stability augmentation control systems for Spaceship primary flight controls

• Support flight test of Spaceship in the mission control center and analyze post-flight data

• Develop flight control software requirements, Simulink implementation, and unit tests.

• Perform system identification on various aircraft systems to accurately model in Simulink.

• Diagnose and resolve simulation issues across all disciplines.  May involve aerodynamics, mass properties, flight controls, interfaces, etc.

Required Skills and Experience

• Must have a 8+ years of experience with B.S. or M.S. in Mechanical, Aerospace, or Electrical Engineering discipline from an accredited university.  M.S. degree or higher preferred.

• Intuitive level understanding of flight control systems and fixed-wing aircraft dynamics

• Knowledge of classical control theory and modern control theory.

• Experience evaluating handling qualities of fixed-wing aircraft.

• Experience with modelling actuators, controllers, electrical systems, 6DOF, etc.

• MATLAB and Simulink in a collaborative environment.

• Excellent diagnostic skills

• Familiar with embedded C programming and git version control.

• Flight test or pilot experience beneficial.

#LI-DR

The annual U.S. base salary range for this full-time position is $108,871.00–$166,036.00. 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.