Engineer I, Flight Test

Virgin Galactic • Truth or Consequences, NM

20d

About The Position

As an Engineer I Flight Test, you will lead ground and flight test activities. Guided by our values, “Safety above All”, we proactively manage the risks inherent in human spaceflight through our daily actions, ensure the project meets mission requirements and maintains technical, budgetary and schedule integrity. You will be the communication liaison between engineers and managers by developing consistent test methods, processes, and procedures and be responsible for coordinating activities involved with planning, executing, and reporting on ground and flight tests. You will plan, support, and conduct test missions, provide timely test reports, and provide some analysis as required. The Engineer I Flight Test works closely with Engineering to turn their requirements into specific test procedures and plans to verify the safe and effective operations of our flight test vehicles. Configuration control, test conduct, and reporting are standard duties.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, preferably in aerospace
• 1-2 years of flight test experience
• General 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
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with high attention to detail - Team player with excellent organizational and interpersonal skills
• Ability to handle multiple tasks while maintaining attention to detail and accuracy and working under tight time deadlines.
• Able to hold an FAA Second-Class medical certificate
• Travel is 50-70% in 2025/2026

Nice To Haves

• 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
• Mission control room experience
• Pilot license rating

Responsibilities

• Perform 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
• Coordinate test schedules with Maintenance, Engineering, and Flight Operations
• Conduct test readiness reviews (TRRs), technical safety review boards (TSRBs), flight readiness reviews (FRRs), or support major program milestones
• 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

Benefits

• 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

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Number of Employees: 501-1,000 employees