Specialist Engineer, Loads & Dynamics

Virgin Galactic•Tustin, CA

4d•$136,063 - $207,596

About The Position

Virgin Galactic is seeking an experienced Loads & Dynamics specialist to join our multidisciplinary System Analysis organization. Guided by our values, “Safety Above All”, we proactively manage the risks inherent in human spaceflight through our daily actions. Serve as the SME for Loads & Dynamics within the System Analysis team, owning technical depth in that domain while interfacing with adjacent disciplines across engineering. In this role, you will support flight test, structural analysis, model development, and dynamic behavior evaluation for our suborbital Spaceship, Launch Vehicle, and special ‑mission programs. You will contribute directly to how our vehicles are analyzed, tested, and brought into commercial service; working in an environment that values collaboration across Aerodynamic, Thermal, External Loads, and Aeroelasticity disciplines. This position offers a rare combination of deep technical challenge, hands on involvement, and broad cross‑ disciplinary influence. As part of a unified System Analysis team, you’ll work at the intersection of loads, dynamics, aeroelasticity, aerodynamics, and thermal, helping shape how these disciplines integrate across the full vehicle lifecycle. You will have direct impact on active flight‑ test campaigns, model development, and vehicle design decisions, with opportunities to see your work validated‑ through real data. Beyond technical execution, this role provides room for leadership growth. You will help develop engineering standards, guide analytical strategy, mentor others, and contribute to shaping the future direction of Loads & Dynamics as our fleet and capabilities expand. This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced engineer who enjoys solving cross functional challenges and wants meaningful influence on both near‑ term vehicle performance and long‑ ‑term system architecture. Maintain focus on timeliness and execution of tasks and deliverables every day.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in engineering from an accredited institution with approximately 12+ years of relevant professional experience (advanced degrees may reduce experience requirement)
Experience with flight and ground test planning, including test plan authorship, instrumentation selection, and data verification
Expertise in dynamic model validation and correlation using test data
Working knowledge of aircraft or spacecraft systems
Experience with 6DOF flight dynamics and trajectory simulation
Familiarity with applicable aerospace standards and structural design criteria (FAA, FAA‑AST, NASA, MilSpec, etc.)
Strong programming and automation skills in MATLAB and Python, including sound software development practices
Experience with FEM software cush as FEMAP, PATRAN
Proficiency with NASTRAN
Demonstrate willingness to adjust thinking and behavior.
Ability to communicate in a manner that is timely, respectful, and open to other ideas

Nice To Haves

Experience developing vibratory environments and supporting application of vibratory spectra to component qualification
Experience with ZAERO, ZEUS, ZONAIR, or FUN3D
Cross disciplinary‑ experience in aerodynamics or thermal analysis
Hands o‑n flight test execution experience and familiarity with standard flight test safety processes

Responsibilities

Support development and validation of loads event simulations and loads criteria for suborbital and unconventional vehicle configurations
Contribute to pre‑flight preparation including limitations review, test plans, procedures, readiness reviews, mission control support, and post‑flight analysis
Collaborate cross functionally‑ to ensure proper application of loads and dynamic requirements across structures, aero, thermal, and design engineering
Develop airframe and component static loads for structural design and qualification
Establish dynamic loads for structural design such as Tuned and PSD Gust, dynamic landing, and store separation
Support the entry into commercial service by ensuring internal and regulatory loads requirements are satisfied
Build or modify dynamically representative Finite Element Models (FEM) using FEMAP
Perform FEM updates and tuning using ground and flight test data as well as analytical tools
Develop rational static and dynamic loads criteria for unique vehicle configurations
Lead development of standardized analysis methods, tools, and reporting processes
Provide technical leadership within Loads & Dynamics and across the engineering organization
Mentor and coach team members, sharing best practices and elevating analytical capability
Help define loads and dynamics scope for programs, coordinate work packages, and ensure high quality, on‑ ‑schedule deliverables
Lead cross functional teams to resolve complex technical problems and advise engineering leadership on critical loads‑ related‑ risks and opportunities
Work collaboratively to achieve goals and/or complete assigned tasks