Software Quality Engineer

You are a detail-oriented Software Quality Engineer (SQE) who thrives in high-stakes environments where safety, reliability, and compliance are non-negotiable. You bring a strong foundation in software verification, validation, and regulatory compliance in aerospace or other safety-critical industries. You are passionate about ensuring that software meets the highest standards for safety, performance, and regulatory requirements.

You excel in software development processes, quality assurance, and risk management, and you understand how to balance agility with strict compliance requirements. You are an effective communicator, capable of working alongside software developers, systems engineers, quality engineers, and regulatory bodies to drive software quality excellence.

Responsibilities

As a Software Quality Engineer at Virgin Galactic, your mission is to ensure the quality, reliability, and regulatory compliance of software used in critical aerospace applications. You will be responsible for defining, implementing, and executing software quality assurance processes that align with industry standards and best practices.

• Develop and enforce software quality assurance (SQA) plans to ensure compliance with industry standards such as DO-178C, DO-254, DO-330, AS9100, MIL-STD-498, ARP 4754A, and ARP 4761.

• Collaborate with other software engineers to establish and maintain a robust software development and verification process.

• Conduct independent audits and process assessments to ensure adherence to software quality standards.

• Review and approve software requirements, design documentation, test plans, and test results to verify compliance with system and safety requirements.

• Support software configuration management (SCM) and change control processes to maintain software integrity and traceability.

• Participate in regulatory and customer audits, ensuring software quality assurance processes align with safety and mission requirements.

• Work closely with software development teams to identify defects early in the development lifecycle and ensure timely resolution.

• Develop and improve software quality metrics and reporting to drive continuous improvement.

• Embedded software/ hardware verification background or knowledge

• Demonstrates basic understanding of audit techniques

Required Skills and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, Electrical Engineering and 5 years experience.

• 3+ years of experience in software quality engineering, software verification and validation, or software safety in aerospace, defense, automotive, medical devices, or other safety-critical industries.

• Familiarity with defect tracking and requirements management tools (e.g., JIRA, DOORS, Polarian).

• Strong understanding of software lifecycle processes, software safety analysis, and failure mode analysis.

• Ability to collaborate across engineering disciplines to drive software quality initiatives.

Preferred Skills and Experience

• Experience working with FAA, NASA, or DoD software certification requirements.

• Familiar with real-time embedded software, avionics systems, and flight software.

• Certification in ASQ Certified Software Quality Engineer (CSQE) or similar.

• Experience with automated testing frameworks

#LI-DR

The annual U.S. base salary range for this full-time position is $88,477.00–$134,981.00. 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.