Sr. Flight Planner, Airspace

Virgin Galactic Holdings, Inc.•Truth Or Consequences, NM

54d•Onsite

About The Position

Virgin Galactic is seeking an experienced Sr. Airspace Flight Planner. Guided by our values, "Safety above All", we proactively manage the risks inherent in human spaceflight through our daily actions in the design and assembly efforts. In this role, you will be based at The Gateway to Space facility, Spaceport America, New Mexico, and will be part of Mission Integration Team, under the Mission Management group. The successful candidate is a skillful planner that is detail oriented and familiar with the various factors and considerations involved in the management of planning, preparation and operation of air vehicles.

Requirements

A bachelor's degree in a relevant field or an equivalent combination of education and professional work experience is required
Minimum of Eight (8) plus years of experience in a related field with a minimum of five years of flight operations planning and coordination experience, specifically within Aircrew, Flight Operations Support, or Air Traffic Control roles
Proven experience working and coordinating with government representatives, senior executives, and external stakeholders, including VIPs is required
Experience in flight test operations and familiarity with ITAR requirements
Exceptional communication skills, both verbal and written

Nice To Haves

Working knowledge of White Sands Missile Range (WSMR) operations and airspace booking procedures
Solid understanding of aviation meteorology, with the ability to interpret TAFs, METARs, and other NOAA and commercial meteorological products for mission-related weather decision-making
Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities, and keen attention to detail
Excellent interpersonal skills and project management capabilities
Demonstrated ability to function effectively as part of a team and maintain strong working relationships in a high-pressure environment
Flexibility to work outside of standard working hours as required

Responsibilities

Lead the planning and directing of teammates, vehicles, events, and scheduling involving flight readiness and operations, encompassing pilot training on general aviation aircraft to full-scale Space Flight Missions
Schedule and position flight crews, passengers, and cargo safely and efficiently
Forecast and mitigate maintenance downtimes to ensure operational continuity
Manage Airspace requests and submissions to FAA and relevant military entities and fulfill associated requirements such as telemetry or weather balloons
Publish mission codes and establish airspace timing protocols
Act as a liaison with external agencies, including the New Mexico Spaceport Authority (NMSA), FAA offices, and weather services to maintain awareness of airfield and airspace operations, including issuing Notices to Airmen and Mariners (NOTAMs)
Communicate effectively and transparently regarding current and future operational scenarios
Support Aircraft Flight Operations Management, which may involve:
Monitoring pilot currency and readiness requirements
Tracking aircraft flights to ensure data accuracy
Providing retrospective and other flight readiness briefing materials
Develop and coordinate timelines for milestone events, vehicle movements, and other critical activities
Coordinate with meteorologists to understand weather patterns and the effect they may have on flight conditions
Manage the overnight weather go/no-go criteria decisions and act as the spaceship tanking management representative
Work in conjunction with VMS pilot in command regarding the management of weather assessment criteria.
Monitor the progress of pre-flight activities and communicate mission critical updates to maintenance, flight operations, and relevant stakeholders as necessary
Responsible for providing a clear plan of action and guidance on flight readiness including creating and managing inputs into the Pre Mission Readiness Reviews
Ensure work deliverables are prioritized based on flight schedule, operational goals, and safety requirements
Support Mission Control operations within the Mission Control Center operating the Support console, which may require early starts on Space Mission days