Specialist, Materials Test Technician

<p><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">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 Specialist Materials Manufacturing Technician in the Test & Evaluation Department, you will focus on the activities surrounding the test of composite components and assemblies for our spaceships.

You’ll bring your extensive expertise in materials testing to help ensure that novel materials, joints, bonding solutions and part designs meet exacting standards before they are accepted for use on next generation of spaceships!</span></p><p> </p><p> </p><p><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>Responsibilities</strong></span></p><ul type="disc"><li style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Execute tensile, torsion, compression, flexure and shear materials testing using equipment including (but not limited to) universal test equipment</span></li><li style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Collect test data and report results to engineers, managers and executives</span></li><li style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Interpret engineering drawings and follow Manufacturing Work Instructions (MWIs) to ensure fabrication accuracy and quality</span></li><li style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Identify and implement process improvements for efficiency and quality</span></li><li style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Adhere to set directions and guidelines from team leaders to support collaboration across teams to complete project</span></li><li style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Monitor and control maintenance and calibration of test assets (custom, materials, environmental chambers, thermal vacuum chambers, vibration tables, and more)</span></li><li style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Monitor and control maintenance and calibration of test assets (universal test machines, thermal/humidity chambers)</span></li><li style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Occasional trim, machine and drill composite parts and test coupons to precise specifications</span></li><li style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Occasional adhesive bonding of structural joints using paste adhesives and mechanical fasteners</span></li><li style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Provide mentorship and training to junior technicians</span></li><li style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Execute other duties as required by Virgin Galactic senior leadership to support company and program objectives</span></li></ul><p> </p><p> </p><p><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>Required Skills and Experience</strong></span></p><ul type="disc"><li style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">High School Diploma or equivalent</span></li><li style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Minimum of four (4) years of experience in composite materials test</span></li><li style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Ability to read and interpret drawings, blueprints, and/or models on paper or digital</span></li><li style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Extensive knowledge of and experience in lay-up procedures, vacuum bagging, and oven/autoclave curing</span></li><li style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Experience with structural bonding using both adhesives and mechanical fasteners</span></li><li style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Experience with strain gauge bonding on composite test coupons</span></li><li style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Proficiency in using hand tools, power tools, and composite machining equipment, including saws, surface grinders, drills, pencil grinders, lathes, mills and other mechanical tools</span></li><li style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Shop floor manufacturing and inspection technologies knowledge</span></li><li style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Demonstrated ability to use computer applications to follow work instructions</span></li><li style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">A hands-on mentality and an emphasis on continuous improvement</span></li><li style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Experience in an Agile work environment</span></li><li style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Execute other duties as required by Virgin Galactic senior leadership to support company and program objectives</span></li></ul><p> </p><p> </p><p><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>Preferred Skills and Experience</strong></span></p><ul type="disc"><li style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Familiarity with precision measurement tools (e.g. optical microscope, FTIR instrument, DGA instrument)</span></li><li style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Laboratory or industrial computer application proficiency</span></li><li style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Technical report writing skills</span></li><li style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Atlassian product experience (Jira, Confluence)</span></li><li style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Strong safety forward-thinking, practicing good housekeeping and tool control</span></li><li style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Proven track record of process improvement and technical leadership</span></li></ul><p> </p><p> </p><p><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>Physical and/or Additional Requirements</strong></span></p><ul type="disc"><li style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Must be able to work all shifts and available for overtime as well as weekends when needed</span></li><li style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Must be able to travel as needed (10% travel expected)</span></li><li style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: ari