Lead Test Technician

Virgin Galactic is seeking a talented and motivated technical person join our Test & Evaluation team to help get our next generation of spaceships to space!  Guided by our values, “Safety Above All”, we proactively manage the risks inherent in human spaceflight through our daily actions in all of our testing activities. 

As a Lead Test Technician in the Test & Evaluation Department, you will lead the team of technicians that will help build and operate test equipment that will verify component, subsystems and systems of our spaceships, often as the last step before they are installed for flight.  Support the company strategy by holding ourselves and one another accountable for getting the work done.  This is an exciting opportunity to bring your experience, knowledge and enthusiasm to help us make future astronauts!

Responsibilities

• Lead a team of technicians to set up, calibrate, and fabricate test components and carry out laboratory, component, assembly and vehicle testing

• Strongly influence the design of test systems, fixtures and setups

• Adhere to set directions and guidelines from leadership to support collaboration across teams to complete projects

• Provide usage feedback of test systems to engineering for process improvement

• Lead the fabrication test article instrumentation, electro-mechanical assemblies, fluid and test equipment wire harnesses

• Operation and the supervision of operation, of test equipment (custom, materials, environmental chambers, altitude chambers, thermal vacuum chambers, vibration tables, and more)

• Ensure teammates practice safety behavior and Foreign Object Debris (FOD) awareness/prevention and adhere to regulatory protocols and rules

• Assist engineers and other technicians on production and R&D test projects

• Encourage and provide development and training opportunities for technicians 

• Collect test data and report results to designated managers and engineers

• Prepare and conduct tests of composites for mechanical properties

• Lead the execution of bonding and machining of test coupons

• Monitor and control maintenance of test assets (custom, materials, environmental chambers, altitude chambers, thermal vacuum chambers, vibration tables, and more)

• Work collaboratively to achieve goals and/or complete assigned tasks

• Execute other duties as required by Virgin Galactic senior leadership to support company and program objectives

Required Skills and Experience

• High School Diploma or equivalent 

• Minimum  five (5) years of experience as a technician in an aerospace or equivalent high-reliability field with  two (2) years of leading and mentoring others and/ or demonstrated ability to lead and train on technical tasks and projects

• Proven ability to mentor and coach others

• Experience developing, deploying and maintaining best practices within a team

• Experience designing and executing team training activities

• Experience prioritizing critical tasks

• Ability to read and recommend improvements to mechanical, harness & P&ID engineering drawings, circuit layouts, parts lists

• Ability to read and interpret drawings, blueprints, and/or models on paper or digital

• An advanced ability to troubleshoot and solve complex problems on a range of systems

• Deep expertise of:

  • cable harness fabrication from wire diagrams, layout drawings, parts lists

  • mechanical assembly fabrication from 3D models, 2D mechanical drawings, parts lists

  • test asset instrumentation with strain gages, load cells, pressure transducers

• Deep expertise of:

  • the operation of saws, lathes, mills and/or other mechanical tools

  • the operation of soldering irons, DMMs. scopes, function generators, power supplies, wire cutters/strippers/crimpers and/or other electrical tools

• Experience conducting environmental testing per DO-160, SMC-S-016 or MIL-STD-810 environments (e.g. vibration, thermal, humidity, TVAC, waterproofness, proof pressure)

• Structural and/or Systems test experience

• Experience executing tension/compression test machines and related software

• Shop floor manufacturing and inspection technologies knowledge

• Very well-developed technical writing skills

• Familiarity with precision measurement tools

• Familiar with quality assurance processes, including non-destructive testing methods

• Laboratory or industrial computer application proficiency

• Must possess excellent interpersonal and verbal communication skills

• A hands-on mentality and an emphasis on continuous improvement is needed to support the airframe and systems test lab successfully

• Strong safety work ethic – recognizes the importance of properly handing hazardous materials and tools, as well as working around highly energized systems

• Ability to troubleshoot and solve problems

• Demonstrated ability to use computer applications to follow work instructions  

• Experience in an Agile work environment

• Atlassian production experience (Jira, Confluence)

• Execute other duties as required by Virgin Galactic senior leadership to support company and program objectives

Preferred Skills and Experience

• Familiarity with NI FlexLogger

• J-STD-001 or NASA-STD-8739.3 certification

• Strong ability to communicate in a manner that is timely, respectful, and open to other ideas

• Strong ability to get into the details, while maintaining a broader view

• Strong safety forward thinking, practice good housekeeping, tool control, recognizing the importance of properly handling hazardous materials and chemicals

• Familiar with the use of personal protective equipment (PPE)

Physical and/or Additional Requirements

• Must be able to work all shifts and available for overtime as well as weekends when needed

• Must be able to travel as needed (10% Travel expected)

• Must be able to stand for extended periods (4 hours)

• Must be able to stoop, bend, crawl, and being able to maneuver in tight spaces

• Medium work: exerting up to 50lbs of force rarely, 20lbs occasionally, 10lbs frequently to move objects

#LI-TQ

The annual U.S. base salary range for this full-time position is $72,134.00–$105,019.00. 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.