Sr. Program Director, Propulsion Systems Production & Test

As the Sr. Director, Propulsion Systems Production & Test, you will be accountable for leading the production and testing operations at our Mojave Propulsion Campus. This factory is home to a world class Hybrid Rocket Motor manufacturing process that is ready to scale up to meet the Delta Spaceship flight cadence in commercial operations. It is also the home of our integrated hot-fire and stage test facilities. We are looking for a motivated candidate who understands the assignment to scale our world class manufacturing operations to meet the internal demand but also setup the company with an incredible capability to leverage for additional external customers.

As the Sr. Director in Propulsion Systems, you will be the onsite lead representing the company and Propulsion Systems. You will be accountable for all aspects of the production and test across the whole life cycle of the products we make, from planning to execution and operations support.  The executive level position is expected to be capable of hitting the ground running and have the confidence and experience to leverage this unique opportunity to lead a critical scope of work for Virgin Galactic supporting our Spaceflight operations with safe and reliable Human Rated rocket motors. Successful candidates must be dynamic in their skillsets and ability to zoom in and out as needed to tackle both the strategic and tactical aspects of the role.

In this role you will be expected to take propulsion components and successfully plan and then execute their production and testing to meet the critical just-in-time demand of both internal and external customers. This will require integrating with engineering disciplines, functions and suppliers to successfully execute while preparing to scale propulsion operations to support improved flight cadences meeting the demand of our new industry.  

As we prepare to transition into Commercial Service, you and your team will be required to support the Entry into Service process as we launch our Spaceline.  Your responsibilities will include the development and deployment of Program Management processes and tools in collaboration with the Program & Business Operations Team. In addition, you will be accountable for leading the development of program plans, including baselining, and execution within the approved baseline cost, schedule, and scope.

• Develop and maintain the detailed program plan or Integrated Master Schedule for the production and testing scope that is aligned with the overall Propulsion Systems portfolio and supports our Spaceship vehicle programs

• Develop and refine an appropriate strategy-to-task architecture that creates and maintains a roadmap for production with appropriate level of detail for the team to execute from efficiently

• Develop and lead risk management process including proactively maintaining and tracking production and program risks and opportunities and providing mitigation plans as needed

• Leveraging your experience to help the Virgin Galactic team develop and deploy program processes aligned with Program Management best practices 

• Regularly report to executive leadership, internal and external customers, and the wider organization the team’s performance in the areas of quality, scope, cost, and schedule

• Develop strategic initiatives that focus the team to meet strategic business goals within the scope of the Production and Test group

Responsibilities

• Lead by example through Virgin Galactic’s values, communicating with respect in a straight-up way fostering transparent, and open communication.

• Apply technical and functional expertise coupled with leadership skills, program management tenacity with an unwavering commitment to quality of work products and the evolution of our tool kit, ensuring the successful advancement of human spaceflight

• Ability to develop a framework and construct that enables detailed program planning to create the roadmap to successful execution, including the development and management of leading program indicators

• Work with other company leaders in engineering, manufacturing, and support organizations to gather history and experience to inform project planning and steering

• Review detailed development, engineering and manufacturing plans and ensure cross functional integration and alignment

• Proactively maintain and track program risks and opportunities and provide mitigation plans as needed

• Regularly report to executive leadership and the broader organization the projects status and performance

• Ensure requirements and capability needs are met for the business infostructure required to operate our production factory within our digital thread environment

• Lead the effort with the manufacturing teams to develop detailed metrics that provide decision quality data on program performance and or factory performance to inform business related decisions

• Lead program reviews, Production Readiness or Manufacturing Readiness Reviews are a key gate to ensure we have control over our products and meet our requirements

Required Skills and Experience

• Minimum of a Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or technical discipline from an accredited institution

• 10+ years of industry experience in progressive technical and leadership roles

• Energetic, passionate and organized program leader ready to lead a project through the full lifecycle

• Experience with Aerospace component development, transition into production, and entry into service.

• Demonstrated success developing or manufacturing complex aerospace products ideally with specific experience setting up the processes for product development, production, or supplier project management.

• Experience providing leadership and management for multidisciplinary teams of engineering, manufacturing, and business support personnel

• Experience with complex supply chain management, production of aerospace component development, and component manufacturing

• Able to manage multiple tasks simultaneously and thrive in a complex product development environment with multiple priorities as well as a disciplined production setting

• Dynamic strategic leader with experience balancing the needs of complex projects requiring both strategic and tactical guidance simutaneously

• Experience with IMP/IMS, risk management, configuration management, and requirements management processes

• Understanding of Product Lifecycle Management, Configuration Management, Configuration Control, and ERP systems.

• Ability to manage multiple tasks simultaneously and thrive in a complex environment with multiple priorities as well as a disciplined flight operations setting.

• Excellent verbal and written communication, excellent computer skills including Microsoft Word, Excel, Project and PowerPoint.

• Experience developing strategic goals and objectives in support of the overall company goals and objectives.

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with a high attention to detail.

• Team player with excellent organizational and interpersonal skills.

Prefered Skills and Experience

• Experience setting up the digital infrastructure or production tools

• Rocket Motor or similar process-controlled hardware manufacturing experience

• Successfully demonstrated taking development products into low-rate production

#LI-DR

The annual U.S. base salary range for this full-time position is $178,602.00–$285,670.00. 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.