Specialist Engineer, M&P

Virgin Galactic$160,544–$244,948/yrTustin, California, United StatesFull-timePosted 1w ago

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How this pay compares

This posting states $161k–$245k a year. Open materials engineer jobs in California post a median of $153k a year, the middle half $127k–$170k, across 26 jobs that state their pay, so this one is above the middle half of what they post.

Materials engineers and chemists in California: pay by town and employer

About the job

As a Specialist, Materials and Processes Engineer with a focus on Composite Materials, you will be responsible for the development and improvement of materials and process specifications to consistently produce components with predictable performance as determined by qualification testing.

Guided by our values, “Safety Above All”, we proactively manage the risks inherent in human spaceflight through our daily actions. When exceptions to the defined processes arise, you will provide Quality and Manufacturing with your technical opinion on the impact of these exceptions to the expected performance of the materials, to aid in the appropriate disposition of these non-conformances.

In addition, you are responsible for providing the Design team with guidance on the appropriate use of composite materials within a vehicle, considering service requirements, manufacturability, and integration with the rest of the vehicle.

Support the company strategy by holding ourselves and one another accountable for getting the work done.Responsibilities<ul type="disc"><li style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Review drawings and part models to ensure the use of appropriate materials with necessary drawing notes for the required manufacturing processes</li><li style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Draft and revise materials and process specifications as needed to produce products with predictable performance</li><li style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Troubleshoot issues which arise in Manufacturing or at Vendors related to deviations from specifications or failure of existing specifications to reliably produce the desired results.</li><li style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Working with team members and leadership, Interact with Manufacturing, Engineering, and other departments for various IRAD projects.</li><li style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Continuously practice safety behavior and Foreign Object Debris (FOD) awareness/prevention; adhere to regulatory protocols and rules.</li><li style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Maintain focus on timeliness and execution of tasks and deliverables every day.</li><li style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Work collaboratively to achieve goals and/or complete assigned tasks.</li></ul> Required Skills and Experience<ul type="disc"><li style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Bachelor’s Degree or higher in a related Engineering or Physical Science field from an ABET or equivalent accredited institution.</li><li style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">A minimum of 12 years experience preferred in the evaluation or processing of aerospace materials, including composites, and plastics</li><li style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Familiarity with composite materials and processes used in the manufacture of composite aircraft structural components including out-of-autoclave processing.</li><li style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Experience with materials and process specifications for composite materials</li><li style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Knowledge of composite material mechanical testing and physical characterization methods & familiarity with statistical analysis methods of treating test data</li><li style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Excellent verbal and written communication skills</li><li style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Excellent organizational and problem-solving skills</li><li style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Excellent computer skills, familiarity with Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint</li><li style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Strong team player</li><li style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Demonstrate willingness to adjust thinking and behavior.</li><li style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Ability to communicate in a manner that is timely, respectful, and open to other ideas</li><li style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Familiar with the use of personal protective equipment (PPE)</li></ul> Preferred Skills and Experience<ul type="disc"><li style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Master’s or Doctorate from an ABET, or equivalent, accredited institution with a Concentration in a relevant Materials Engineering / Aerospace Engineering / Physical Sciences discipline</li><li style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">A minimum of 12 years’ experience in the manufacture and assembly, of aerospace composites, and plastics.</li><li style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Familiarity with composite materials and processes used in the manufacture of composite aircraft structural components including bond preparation, surface treatments, and bonded assemblies</li><li style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Familiarity with composite aircraft repair methods & processes, including authoring repair processes</li><li style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Experience in authoring / revising materials and process specifications for composite materials and associated processes</li

From Virgin Galactic's job posting, checked 7 Nov 2026. The employer's own page is the final word on requirements and availability.

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About Virgin Galactic

Winged spaceships that carry people to the edge of space.

Pay on its listings: 100% of its open jobs state an hourly rate

How it pays: Paid as an employee on Virgin Galactic's own payroll (salaried or hourly, as each posting states).

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