Specialist Engineer. Flight Test

Responsibilities

• Lead ground test and flight test activities.
• Gather and develop the test requirements from the different engineering disciplines.
• Work with Engineering to turn requirements into test configuration, procedures, conditions, and maneuvers.
• Develop test plans, including hazard analyses.
• Develop the test schedules with project engineers and program managers.
• Cookordination test schedules with Maintenance, Engineering, and Flight Operations.
• Define control room display requirements and updates.
• Define and monitor configurations for tests.
• Conduct test readiness reviews (TRRs), technical safety review boards (TSRBs), flight readiness reviews (FRRs), or support major program milestones.
• Monitor and conduct tests on the aircraft and spaceships.
• Provide daily reports on vehicle progress and reports on tests as flown and completed.
• Update flight logs and test documentation.
• Write test reports to document results.
• Continuously practice safety behavior and Foreign Object Debris (FOD) awareness/prevention; adhere to regulatory protocols and rules.
• Work collaboratively to achieve goals and/or complete assigned tasks.

Requirements

• Typically requires a bachelor’s degree in engineering, preferably in aerospace with 12 years of flight test experience.
• Thorough understanding of aeroelastic flutter, fly-by-wire flight controls, handling qualities, and mechanical systems.
• Passionate, and organized team member ready to support complex test operations.
• Able to manage multiple tasks simultaneously and thrive in a complex product development environment with multiple priorities.
• Experience with IMP/IMS, risk management, configuration management, requirements management processes preferred.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with high attention to detail.
• Team player with excellent organizational and interpersonal skills.
• Able to handle multiple tasks while maintaining attention to detail and accuracy and working under tight time deadlines.
• Experience leading a control room for mission-critical test campaigns.
• Able to hold an FAA Second-Class medical certificate.
• Travel between Las Cruces, NM and Spaceport America is 50-70% in 2026.

Preferred Skills And Experience

• A general understanding of aerospace drawings, specifications, and manufacturing processes.
• Understanding and familiarity with the National Airspace System (NAS), Military Operating Areas (MOAs), and other Special Use Airspaces (SUAs).
• Practitioner and advocate of good crew resource management (CRM) practices.
• Test Pilot School graduate or flight test course work.

Pay

The annual U.S. base salary range for this full-time position is $136,063.00–$207,596.00. 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.

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.

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.