Supervisor, Materials Testing
About The Position
Virgin Galactic is seeking a talented and motivated technical supervisor to 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 Materials Test Technician Supervisor 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!
Requirements
- High School Diploma or equivalent
- Minimum of six (6) years of experience in composite material test, preferably in the aerospace industry
- Minimum of three (3) years of leadership experience of a technician team
- Ability to read and interpret drawings, blueprints, and/or models on paper or digital
- Extensive knowledge of and experience in lay-up procedures, vacuum bagging, and oven/autoclave curing
- Experience with structural bonding using both adhesives and mechanical fasteners
- Experience with strain gauge bonding on composite test coupons
- Proficiency in using hand tools, power tools, and composite machining equipment, including saws, surface grinders, drills, pencil grinders, lathes, mills and other mechanical tools
- Shop floor manufacturing and inspection technologies knowledge
- A hands-on mentality and an emphasis on continuous improvement
- Experience in an Agile work environment
- Execute other duties as required by Virgin Galactic senior leadership to support company and program objectives
Nice To Haves
- Familiarity with precision measurement tools (e.g. optical microscope, FTIR instrument, DGA instrument)
- Laboratory or industrial computer application proficiency
- Technical report writing skills
- Atlassian production experience (Jira, Confluence)
- Strong safety forward-thinking, practicing good housekeeping and tool control
- Proven track record of process improvement and technical leadership
Responsibilities
- Supervise day-to-day operation of the materials test team, laboratory and inventory
- Execute tensile, torsion, compression, flexure and shear materials testing using equipment including (but not limited to) universal test equipment
- Collect test data and report results to engineers, managers and executives
- Oversee the trimming, machining and drilling of composite parts and test coupons to precise specifications
- Interpret engineering drawings and follow Manufacturing Work Instructions (MWIs) to ensure fabrication accuracy and quality
- Identify and implement process improvements for efficiency and quality
- Adhere to set directions and guidelines from team leaders to support collaboration across teams to complete project
- Provide mentorship and training to junior technicians
- Monitor and control maintenance and calibration of test assets (universal test machines, thermal/humidity chambers)
- Provide mentorship and training to junior technicians
- Execute other duties as required by Virgin Galactic senior leadership to support company and program objectives
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
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Mid Level
Industry
Support Activities for Transportation
Education Level
High school or GED
Number of Employees
501-1,000 employees
