Sr. Engineer, Propulsion Test
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 qualified Senior Test Engineer with electrical system development and qualification testing experience. In this role, you develop and establish requirements and documentation for tests in support of Hybrid Propulsion System installed in Virgin Galactic’s Spaceship Vehicle. The engineer in this position will have responsibility for the definition of equipment, processes, systems, and materials to perform safe, repeatable, and efficient tests. This role is for a hands-on person with great attention to detail and excellent people skills. This is a full-time position at the VG’s aerospace facility in Mojave, California. </span></p><p> </p><ul style="list-style-type: disc;"><li style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Partner with a team of engineers, technicians, vendors, and subcontractors while performing systems analysis to double-check existing work, design new systems, prepare and safely conduct critical development and qualification tests.</span></li><li style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Coordination of test requirements and development of test procedures.</span></li><li style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Verifying all electrical systems in ground control and test facilities are in good working order, and ensuring necessary improvements, maintenance and documentation are in place to support ongoing testing and flight operations.</span></li><li style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Analyzes and plans workforce utilization, space requirements, and workflow, and designs layout of equipment and workspace for maximum efficiency.</span></li><li style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Confer with vendors to determine product specifications, arrange for the purchase of equipment, materials, or parts, and evaluate products according to specifications and quality standards.</span></li><li style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Estimate fabrication times, staffing requirements, and related costs to provide information for management decisions.</span></li><li style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Confer with management, engineering, and other staff regarding fabrication capabilities, schedules, and other considerations to facilitate testing activities.</span></li><li style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Design and implement Data Acquisition and Control System (DACS) for the test stand and for lab testing.</span></li></ul><p> </p><p><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>Required Skills and Experience</strong></span></p><ul style="list-style-type: disc;"><li style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution, with a concentration in a relevant Engineering discipline or physics </span></li><li style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">8+ years of experience in Data Acquisition and Control Systems (DACS), Instrumentation Engineering, and Electrical Circuit Design</span></li><li style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Development of test requirements and procedures for components, subsystems, and integrated rocket engine/stage systems</span></li><li style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Knowledge and understanding of</span></li><li style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Test readiness reviews, issue tracking, resolution, and reporting</span></li><li style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Test control room hierarchy, etiquette, and protocol</span></li><li style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Coordination of multiple support organizations (S&MA, regulatory bodies)</span></li><li style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Ground support equipment and high-pressure fluid design and analysis experience</span></li><li style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Electronics testing in laboratory environment; strong troubleshooting and data analysis skill required</span></li><li style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Strong team player; excellent interpersonal and coaching skills; ability to work successfully with all levels of the organization.</span></li><li style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Excellent verbal and written communication skills</span></li><li style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Excellent organizational skills and problem-solving skills</span></li><li style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Standard computer skills: Word, Excel, PowerPoint; CATIA V5, Matlab, Labview strongly preferred.</span></li></ul><p> </p><p><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>Preferred Skills and Experience</strong></span></p><ul style="list-style-type: disc;"><li style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Experience with COPV</span></li><li style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Test system development using LabVIEW</span></li><li style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Wiring harness design, production, and implementation</span></li><li style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">5+ years’ experience in liquid or hybrid rocket propulsion development and qualification testing. </span></li><li style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Experience with the design of flight vehicles or vehicle systems to a set of requirements or standards such as CFR 14, Part 400, Part 23 and 25, military or NASA</span></li><li style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Experience with high-performance teams including engineers, production technicians, and ground/flight operations personnel</span></li><li style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Fluid and thermodynamic analysis experience</span></li></ul><p> </p><p><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">#LI-AB1</span></p><p> </p><p><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">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://vgcareers.virgingalactic.com/global/en/benefits">https://vgcareers.virgingalactic.com/global/en/benefits</a></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><strong>Who We Are</strong></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #000000;">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><span style="color: #000099;">.</span> </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Export Requirements </span><br><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">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%7C01%7CSandi.Kosaka%40virgingalactic.com%7C5c47d814f3664ac6bb2a08dbc1063575%7Ca9008a03b053484687d345880ffa31a1%7C0%7C0%7C638316004624246835%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000%7C%7C%7C&sdata=px2%2BAC1K7DW630GR8Iqm8cc2OQohKudkYOGJrZ%2FqKVw%3D&reserved=0">here</a></u></strong>.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">EEO Statement</span><br><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">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><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Drug Free Workplace</span><br><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">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><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Phoenix Employment Requirements</span><br><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">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><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Accommodation Requests</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">If you require a reasonable accommodation to apply for a position, please contact the Virgin Galactic Talent Team at: <strong><a title="" href="mailto:VGTalent@virgingalactic.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener">VGTalent@virgingalactic.com</a> </strong></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Mandatory Notices</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><a id="menur6hc" title="https://www.dol.gov/sites/dolgov/files/whd/legacy/files/eppac.pdf" href="https://www.dol.gov/sites/dolgov/files/WHD/legacy/files/eppac.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label="Link Employee Polygraph Protection Act Rights">Employee Polygraph Protection Act Rights</a></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><a id="menur6he" title="https://www.anl.gov/sites/www/files/2024-01/e-verify_participation_poster_eng_es.pdf" href="https://www.anl.gov/sites/www/files/2024-01/E-Verify_Participation_Poster_Eng_Es.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label="Link E-Verify_Participation_Poster_Eng_Es.pdf">E-Verify_Participation_Poster_Eng_Es</a></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><a id="menur6hg" title="https://www.dol.gov/sites/dolgov/files/whd/legacy/files/fmlaen.pdf" href="https://www.dol.gov/sites/dolgov/files/WHD/legacy/files/fmlaen.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label="Link Your Employee Rights Under the Family and Medical Leave Act">Your Employee Rights Under the Family and Medical Leave Act</a> </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><a id="menur6hi" title="https://www.eeoc.gov/sites/default/files/2023-06/22-088_eeoc_knowyourrights6.12screenrdr.pdf" href="https://www.eeoc.gov/sites/default/files/2023-06/22-088_EEOC_KnowYourRights6.12ScreenRdr.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label="Link Know Your Rights: Workplace Discrimination is Illegal">Know Your Rights: Workplace Discrimination is Illegal</a> </span></p>
Copied from the listing Virgin Galactic published, verified 30 Oct 2026.
About Virgin Galactic
Winged spaceships that carry people to the edge of space.
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