Specialist Test Technician

Virgin Galactic•Irvine, CA

5d•$61,526 - $87,516•Onsite

About The Position

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 Test Technician in the Test & Evaluation Department, you will help build and operate test equipment that will verify component, subsystems and systems of our spaceships, often as the last step before they are installed for flight. Support the company strategy by holding ourselves and one another accountable for getting the work done. This is an exciting opportunity to step up, bringing your experience, knowledge and enthusiasm to help us make future astronauts!

Requirements

High School Diploma or equivalent
Minimum of four (4) years of experience in testing components, subsystems and/or systems required or equivalent industry
Ability to read and interpret drawings, blueprints, and/or models on paper or digital
Experience with: mechanical assembly fabrication from 3D models, 2D mechanical drawings, parts lists or cable harness fabrication from wire diagrams, layout drawings, parts lists; test asset instrumentation with strain gages, load cells, pressure transducers
Experience with: the operation of saws, lathes, mills and/or other mechanical tools
Experience with: the operation of soldering irons, DMMs. scopes, function generators, power supplies, wire cutters/strippers/crimpers and/or other electrical tools
Structural and/or Systems test experience
Shop floor manufacturing and inspection technologies knowledge
Must possess excellent interpersonal and verbal communication skills
A hands-on mentality and an emphasis on continuous improvement is needed to support the airframe and systems test lab successfully
Strong safety work ethic – recognizes the importance of properly handing hazardous materials and tools, as well as working around highly energized systems
Ability to troubleshoot and solve problems
Demonstrated ability to use computer applications to follow work instructions
Experience in an agile work environment

Nice To Haves

Experience conducting environmental testing per DO-160, SMC-S-016 or MIL-STD-810 environments (e.g. vibration, thermal, humidity, TVAC, waterproofness, proof pressure)
Familiarity with data acquisition and/or control hardware, NI cDAQ/cRIO/PXI preferred
Familiarity with NI FlexLogger
Familiarity with precision measurement tools
J-STD-001 or NASA-STD-8739.3 certification
Familiar with quality assurance processes, including non-destructive testing methods
Laboratory or industrial computer application proficiency
Technical report writing skills
Atlassian production experience (Jira, Confluence)
Demonstrated willingness to adjust thinking and behavior
Ability to collaborate on technical projects with fellow technicians, or interdepartmental functions to achieve goals or solve problems
Ability to communicate in a manner that is timely, respectful, and open to other ideas
Ability to get into the details, while maintaining a broader view
Strong safety forward thinking, practice good housekeeping, tool control, recognizing the importance of properly handling hazardous materials, and chemicals
Familiarity with the use of personal protective equipment (PPE)

Responsibilities

Fabricate test article instrumentation, electro-mechanical assemblies, fluid and test equipment wire harnesses
Set up, calibrate, and fabricate test components and carry out laboratory, component, assembly and vehicle testing
Operation and the supervision of operation, of test equipment (custom, materials, environmental chambers, altitude chambers, thermal vacuum chambers, vibration tables, and more)
Collect test data and report results to designated managers and engineers
Monitor and control maintenance of test assets (custom, materials, environmental chambers, altitude chambers, thermal vacuum chambers, vibration tables, and more)
Strongly influence the design of test systems, fixtures and setups
Assist engineers and other technicians on production and R&D test projects
Adhere to set directions and guidelines from team leader to support collaboration across teams to complete project
Provide usage feedback of test systems to engineering for process improvement
Work collaboratively to achieve goals and/or complete assigned tasks
Execute other duties as required by Virgin Galactic senior leadership to support company and program objectives