The Manager, Test Engineering must have 8+ years of Aerospace engineering experience and will lead a team of engineers and technincans to plan, execute and report results for ground tests in multiple disciplines including structures, materials, mechanical systems and avionics.

　　The Manager, Test Engineering will be required to work from our Tustin CA office 3x-4x per week.

　　Oversee and improve VG’s test capabilities, resources and procedures as required to meet the needs of the engineering organization and all VG programs.

　　Track test team schedule and budget and regularly report results to senior leadership and program staff.

　　Provide technical review and approval of engineering documentation including test plans, procedures, reports and associated designs.

　　Resolve schedule and technical setbacks by developing and implementing practically driven recovery plans with engineering and program staff.

　　Support team development and growth with a commitment to elevating people through hiring, mentorship and career development of test engineers and technicians.

　　Drive practical continuous improvement of test activities including test processes, capital projects, standardization efforts and training activities.

　　Responsible for the development and implementation of engineering tools/methods/processes for the functional area of responsibility.

　　Fosters an inclusive work environment that values diversity, sharing, creative problem solving, and strategic thinking.

　　Ensures the integrity of the teams’ engineering through informed, data-driven decisions.

　　Emphasizes Safety in all situations including inside and outside the organization.

　　Responsibility for resource planning and determining program assignments.

　　Interfaces regularly with engineering managers/leads assigned to development programs to generate technical approach plans, staffing requirements, and understand schedule needs.

　　Responsibility for assuring staffing needs and proper skills are deployed for each development program. This includes contractors and ESAs as needed by program leadership.

　　Responsible for attracting, hiring, onboarding and retention of team members.

　　Delivers department communications through regular staff meetings, provides career planning, performance management, mentoring, and training to the team.

　　Responsibility for resolving performance deficiencies or policy violations.

　　Responsibility for engineering personnel having defined tools, methods and processes for executing their individual technical tasks.

　　Responsibility for ensuring common “best” practices are integrated across the development programs and are used upon program go ahead.

　　Participates in various technical reviews for specific product development activities and verifies that technical requirements are properly achieved.

　　Works with the product development Chief Engineer and technical leads to assist in resolving all technical issues and helps implement personnel and process improvements, when needed.

　　Supports review of manufacturing plans and procedures to ensure compliance with program, design and loads requirements.

　　Responsible for the creation of structural test plans which will be used to verify manufacturing processes meet design intent and requirements.

　　Responsible for developing departmental budget inputs to include process and capability improvements and managing the final approved budget throughout the fiscal year.

　　Conducts personnel evaluations and one-on-ones with team members at regular intervals to:

　　Develop personalized growth & development plans, as well as appropriate annual goals

　　Track performance to aforementioned plans and goals

　　Ensure team member concerns are being appropriately addressed

　　Human Resource-based responsibilities as needed include but are not limited to:

　　Review and approval of individual timecards, time-off requests, and expense reports

　　Creation and enaction of Performance Improvement Plans

　　Manage team members required company-level training plans

　　Facilitating knowledge transfer on policies & procedures between HR / Test teams

　　Execute other duties as required by Virgin Galactic senior leadership to support company and program objectives.

　　Required Skills & Experience:

　　8 years minimum of experience in aerospace engineering with experience in multiple disciplines including test.

　　5+ years of demonstrated leadership experience.

　　Excellent knowledge of aerospace test practices including component acceptance and qualification, structural validation, environmental testing, instrumentation, and data acquisition.

　　Experience with Full Scale / Large Scale testing of primary structure in a FAR 23/25 or DoD environment.

　　Experience with environmental testing of mechanical systems and avionics.

　　Experience with mechanical and physical testing of materials, with an emphasis on composite materials.

　　Proven analytical skills in test relevant engineering areas.

　　Strong schedule management skills and understanding of schedule relationship to scope and cost.

　　Good team player with straight up effective communication and good interpersonal skills with the proven ability to lead, motivate and build teams.

　　Effective organizational skills, capable of effectively juggling and completing multiple tasks across different disciplines and programs.

　　Highly autonomous with effective delegation skills and pure grit.

　　Applicants must be U.S. Persons as defined by the ITAR (22 CFR §120.15)

　　Preferred Skills and Experience:

　　Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution, with a concentration in a relevant Engineering discipline.

　　Experience with manufacturing-based ERP systems, such as Oracle is a plus.

　　Hands-on experience with composite part fabrication and assembly process is a plus.

　　The annual U.S. base salary range for this full-time position is $96,600.00–$147,300.00. The base pay actually offered will vary depending on job-related knowledge, skills, location, and experience and take into account internal equity. 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 (https://vgcareers.virgingalactic.com/global/en/benefits.)

　　Who We Are

　　Virgin Galactic is transforming humanity’s relationship with space. By making it more open and accessible, we are connecting the world to the love, wonder and awe inspired by space travel, helping to create new opportunities for the benefit of life on Earth. Whether it’s supporting cutting-edge research missions for scientists and students, or offering life-changing experiences for the adventurers among us, Virgin Galactic is THE spaceline for Earth. Such an audacious vision requires a team as driven as they are curious - one capable of redefining the boundaries of what’s possible.

　　Export Requirements

　　To conform to U.S. Government export regulations, applicant must be a U.S. Person (either a U.S. citizen, a lawful permanent resident or a protected individual as defined 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3) or be able to obtain the required authorization from either the U.S. Department of State or the U.S. Department of Commerce. The applicant must also not be included in the list of Specifically Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons maintained by the Office of Foreign Assets Control. See list here .

　　EEO Statement

　　Virgin Galactic is an Equal Opportunity Employer; employment with Virgin Galactic is governed on the basis of merit, competence and qualifications and will not be influenced in any manner by race, color, religion, gender, national origin/ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, marital status, mental or physical disability or any other legally protected status.

　　DRUG FREE WORKPLACE

　　Virgin Galactic is committed to a Drug Free Workplace. All applicants post offer and active teammates are subject to testing for marijuana, cocaine, opioids, amphetamines, PCP, and alcohol when criteria is met as outlined in our policies. This can include pre-employment, random, reasonable suspicion, and accident related drug and alcohol testing.