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Flight Software

Sr. Engineer, GNC

Virgin Galactic logoVirgin Galactic$143,031–$218,132/yrTustin, California, United StatesFull-timePosted 1d ago

This role falls under U.S. export rules, so the posting asks for U.S. person status. That means a U.S. citizen, a green card holder, a refugee or an asylee.

About the role

<p><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Virgin Galactic is seeking a talented and motivated Senior Engineering for the Flight Controls Guidance Navigation and Control team. Guided by our values, “Safety Above All”, we proactively manage the risks inherent in human spaceflight through our daily actions.The focus of the role is developing the analysis and software to deliver good handling qualities throughout the unique mission profile of Spaceship. In this role, you will collaborate with Pilots, System Analysis, Flight Test, Avionics, Mechanical Systems, and Systems Engineering. The responsibilities will span the entire lifecycle, from conceptual design to flight test and commercial operations. </span>Support the company strategy by holding ourselves and one another accountable for getting the work done.</p><p> </p><p><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>Responsabilities</strong></span></p><ul><li style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Participate in test planning, sim evaluation, and analysis of handling qualities for Spaceship.</span></li><li style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Design stability augmentation control systems for Spaceship and next generation Launch Vehicle primary flight controls.</span></li><li style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Support flight test of Spaceship in the mission control center and analyze flight data.</span></li><li style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Review peer’s work for quality control, ensuring “bugs” are caught early.</span></li><li style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Perform system identification of aircraft systems to drive simulator accuracy.</span></li><li style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Develop flight control software requirements, Simulink implementation, and tests.</span></li><li style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Diagnose and resolve simulation issues across all disciplines. May involve aerodynamics, mass properties, flight controls, interfaces, etc.</span></li><li>Maintain focus on timeliness and execution of tasks and deliverables every day.</li><li>Work collaboratively to achieve goals and/or complete assigned tasks</li><li>Adhere to set directions and guidelines from team leader to support collaboration across teams to complete projects.</li></ul><p> </p><p><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>Required Skills and Experience</strong></span></p><ul><li style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">8+ years of experience and B.S. or M.S. in Mechanical, Aerospace, or Electrical Engineering discipline from an accredited university. M.S. degree preferred.</span></li><li style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">5 + years of experience with aerospace vehicle control systems and simulation.</span></li><li style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Experience with modelling actuators, controllers, electrical systems, 6DOF, etc.</span></li><li style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Strong understanding of flight control systems and fixed-wing aircraft dynamics</span></li><li style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Experience with MATLAB and Simulink in a collaborative environment, specifically Model Based Design of Safety Critical Code.</span></li><li style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Knowledge of classical control theory and modern control theory. </span></li><li style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Excellent diagnostic skills</span></li><li style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Familiar with embedded C programming and git version control.</span></li><li style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Familiar with relevant MIL-SPECS, such as MIL-STD-1797B and SAE AS-94900, etc.</span></li><li style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Flight test or pilot experience beneficial.</span></li><li style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Excellent written and verbal communication skills.</span></li><li style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Demonstrate willingness to adjust thinking and behavior</li><li style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Ability to communicate in a manner that is timely, respectful, and open to other ideas</li></ul><p style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"> </p><p style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">#LI-MS1</p><p style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"> </p><p style="margin: 0.0in; line-height: 115%; font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: Aptos, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">The annual U.S. base salary range for this full-time position is $143,031.00–$218,132.00. 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 <a title="https://vgcareers.virgingalactic.com/global/en/benefits" href="https://usg02.safelinks.protection.office365.us/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fvgcareers.virgingalactic.com%2Fglobal%2Fen%2Fbenefits&data=05%7C02%7CBrooke.Peters%40virgingalactic.com%7C4dc2282061c84221258f08df1da915da%7Ca9008a03b053484687d345880ffa31a1%7C0%7C0%7C639262284319455912%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=iptBJFQmOtp%2FaJ4IRh7FIC7ekBYRlM8PGdbNwimSHlE%3D&reserved=0">https://vgcareers.virgingalactic.com/global/en/benefits</a></span></p><p style="margin: 0.0in; line-height: 115%; font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: Aptos, sans-serif;"> </p><p style="margin: 0.0in; line-height: 115%; font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: Aptos, sans-serif;"> </p><p style="margin: 0.0in; line-height: 115%; font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: Aptos, sans-serif;"><strong><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Who We Are</span></strong></p><p style="margin: 0.0in; line-height: 115%; font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: Aptos, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">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. </span></p><p style="margin: 0.0in; line-height: 115%; font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: Aptos, sans-serif;"> </p><p style="margin: 0.0in; line-height: 115%; font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: Aptos, sans-serif;"> </p><p style="margin: 0.0in; line-height: 115%; font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: Aptos, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Export Requirements <br>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 <strong><u><a href="https://usg02.safelinks.protection.office365.us/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fofac.treasury.gov%2Fspecially-designated-nationals-list-data-formats-data-schemas&data=05%7C02%7CBrooke.Peters%40virgingalactic.com%7C4dc2282061c84221258f08df1da915da%7Ca9008a03b053484687d345880ffa31a1%7C0%7C0%7C639262284319473725%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=MkChRn2dN11v2do3NM6KI%2BGWSk%2BR9UxRY2KHIr2mjYU%3D&reserved=0">here</a></u></strong>.</span></p><p style="margin: 0.0in; line-height: 115%; font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: Aptos, sans-serif;"> </p><p style="margin: 0.0in; line-height: 115%; font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: Aptos, sans-serif;"> </p><p style="margin: 0.0in; line-height: 115%; font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: Aptos, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">EEO Statement<br>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. </span></p><p style="margin: 0.0in; line-height: 115%; font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: Aptos, sans-serif;"> </p><p style="margin: 0.0in; line-height: 115%; font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: Aptos, sans-serif;"> </p><p style="margin: 0.0in; line-height: 115%; font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: Aptos, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Drug Free Workplace<br>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. </span></p><p style="margin: 0.0in; line-height: 115%; font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: Aptos, sans-serif;"> </p><p style="margin: 0.0in; line-height: 115%; font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: Aptos, sans-serif;"> </p><p style="margin: 0.0in; line-height: 115%; font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: Aptos, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Phoenix Employment Requirements<br>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.</span></p><p style="margin: 0.0in; line-height: 115%; font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: Aptos, sans-serif;"> </p><p style="margin: 0.0in; line-height: 115%; font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: Aptos, sans-serif;"> </p><p style="margin: 0.0in; line-height: 115%; font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: Aptos, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Accommodation Requests</span></p><p style="margin: 0.0in; line-height: 115%; font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: Aptos, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">If you require a reasonable accommodation to apply for a position, please contact the Virgin Galactic Talent Team at: <strong><a href="mailto:VGTalent@virgingalactic.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener">VGTalent@virgingalactic.com</a> </strong></span></p><p style="margin: 0.0in; line-height: 115%; font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: Aptos, sans-serif;"> </p><p style="margin: 0.0in; line-height: 115%; font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: Aptos, sans-serif;"> </p><p style="margin: 0.0in; line-height: 115%; font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: Aptos, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Mandatory Notices</span></p><p style="margin: 0.0in; line-height: 115%; font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: Aptos, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><a title="https://www.dol.gov/sites/dolgov/files/whd/legacy/files/eppac.pdf" href="https://usg02.safelinks.protection.office365.us/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.dol.gov%2Fsites%2Fdolgov%2Ffiles%2FWHD%2Flegacy%2Ffiles%2Feppac.pdf&data=05%7C02%7CBrooke.Peters%40virgingalactic.com%7C4dc2282061c84221258f08df1da915da%7Ca9008a03b053484687d345880ffa31a1%7C0%7C0%7C639262284319488745%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=HCqxWGI7mep0xm5QCnBP4Ti3j6AO%2BPEov5BBuG%2BRogo%3D&reserved=0" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Employee Polygraph Protection Act Rights</a></span></p><p style="margin: 0.0in; line-height: 115%; font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: Aptos, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><a title="https://www.anl.gov/sites/www/files/2024-01/e-verify_participation_poster_eng_es.pdf" href="https://usg02.safelinks.protection.office365.us/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.anl.gov%2Fsites%2Fwww%2Ffiles%2F2024-01%2FE-Verify_Participation_Poster_Eng_Es.pdf&data=05%7C02%7CBrooke.Peters%40virgingalactic.com%7C4dc2282061c84221258f08df1da915da%7Ca9008a03b053484687d345880ffa31a1%7C0%7C0%7C639262284319503620%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=jW3QbGFEScWXN2TMMdZTbjX4U3evaz73iFjc9pMHmcw%3D&reserved=0" target="_blank" rel="noopener">E-Verify_Participation_Poster_Eng_Es</a></span></p><p style="margin: 0.0in; line-height: 115%; font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: Aptos, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><a title="https://www.dol.gov/sites/dolgov/files/whd/legacy/files/fmlaen.pdf" href="https://usg02.safelinks.protection.office365.us/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.dol.gov%2Fsites%2Fdolgov%2Ffiles%2FWHD%2Flegacy%2Ffiles%2Ffmlaen.pdf&data=05%7C02%7CBrooke.Peters%40virgingalactic.com%7C4dc2282061c84221258f08df1da915da%7Ca9008a03b053484687d345880ffa31a1%7C0%7C0%7C639262284319519251%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=TjrhpL2ojtbeTc4Y4RzqEVW6gO3mNP7JHD%2FsFEo5A6I%3D&reserved=0" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Your Employee Rights Under the Family and Medical Leave Act</a> </span></p><p style="margin: 0.0in; line-height: 115%; font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: Aptos, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><a title="https://www.eeoc.gov/sites/default/files/2023-06/22-088_eeoc_knowyourrights6.12screenrdr.pdf" href="https://usg02.safelinks.protection.office365.us/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.eeoc.gov%2Fsites%2Fdefault%2Ffiles%2F2023-06%2F22-088_EEOC_KnowYourRights6.12ScreenRdr.pdf&data=05%7C02%7CBrooke.Peters%40virgingalactic.com%7C4dc2282061c84221258f08df1da915da%7Ca9008a03b053484687d345880ffa31a1%7C0%7C0%7C639262284319534212%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=UR3KpKsulhA0sSg3yLD0dXreEHuUuLAqBtuaLFWwl10%3D&reserved=0" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Know Your Rights: Workplace Discrimination is Illegal</a> </span></p>

Copied from the listing Virgin Galactic published, verified 30 Oct 2026.

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