Virgin Galactic is seeking a talented and motivated technical engineer to join our Materials & Process 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 our testing activities.
As a Senior Materials Test Engineer in the Materials & Process Department, you will focus on the activities surrounding the test of composite components and assemblies for our spaceships by defining and driving mechanical testing to support the structural analysis of both current and future space vehicle designs and builds.
You'll bring your extensive expertise in materials testing to help ensure that novel materials, joints, bonding solutions, and part designs meet exact standards before they are accepted for use on next generation of spaceships!
Responsibilities- Develop and refine material requirements across multiple programs
- Author material and joint test plans, oversee their execution and create their associated reports
- Review test data and undertake post-testing activities including design allowable calculations, equivalency determinations, and failure mode analysis
- Review test plans, process specifications, part drawings, and other documents to ensure compliance with design requirements
- Confer with stakeholders in Manufacturing, Engineering, and other departments to facilitate production of parts
- Communicate technical concepts and results to Programmatic and Engineering stakeholders to inform company/program decisions
- Develop standards, procedures, and best practices to improve team efficiency
- Recommend process improvement and equipment purchase to develop team capability
- Provide mentorship, training, and guidance to other engineers on the team
- Identify and implement process improvements for efficiency and quality
Required Skills and Experience- Requires a minimum of 8 years of related experience in the evaluation of aerospace industry (or equivalent) materials, including composites, and plastics with a bachelor's degree from an ABET, or equivalent, accredited institution with a concentration in a relevant Engineering or Sciences discipline.
- A strong understanding of material structure, processing, performance, and failure
- Extensive experience with ASTM or ISO test methods for composite materials
- Familiarity with composite materials and processes used in the manufacture of composite aircraft fuselage and structural components including out-of-autoclave processing
- Experience with materials and process specifications for composite materials
- Familiarity with industry-accepted statistical analysis methods of treating test data such as those found in CMH-17
- Basic CAD modelling and drafting experience (Catia preferred)
- Experience in authoring test plans and reports
- Knowledge of mechanical testing and physical characterization methods
- Familiarity with statistical analysis methods of treating test data
- Conversant in non-destructive inspection methods frequently employed on composite parts and assemblies
- Working knowledge of precision inspection/measurement tools (e.g., optical microscope, FTIR, SEM, Mass Spectrometer, DSC)
- Experience in stress analysis methods, including the use of hand calculations
- Experience with cyclic or fatigue testing of composite materials
- Design of custom test fixturing used in materials testing
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills
- Ability to effectively present technical topics to upper leadership
- Familiarity with shop floor manufacturing and inspection technologies knowledge
- Demonstrated ability to use computer applications to follow work instructions
- 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
Preferred Skills and Experience- Master's or 10+ years' experience in the evaluation of aerospace materials, including composites, and plastics
- Familiarity with composite materials and processes used in the manufacture of composite aircraft fuselage and structural components including bond preparation, surface treatments, and bonded assemblies
- Extensive knowledge of mechanical testing and physical characterization methods for composite materials and joints & familiarity with industry-accepted statistical analysis methods of treating test data such as those found in CMH17-1
- Experience with aerospace grade metals, such as those in the MMPDS
- Experience in authoring/revising materials and process specifications for composite materials
- Experience in developing a Design of Experiments
- Extensive knowledge of mechanical testing and physical characterization methods for composite materials and joints
- Experience with non-destructive inspection methods frequently employed on composite parts and assemblies
- Laboratory or industrial computer application proficiency
- Atlassian product experience (Jira, Confluence)
- Strong safety forward-thinking, practicing good housekeeping and tool control
Physical and/or Additional Requirements- Must be able to work all shifts and be available on weekends when needed
- Must be able to travel as needed (10% travel expected)
- Must be able to stand for extended periods (4 hours)
- Must be able to stoop, bend, crawl, and being able to maneuver in tight spaces
- Medium work: exerting up to 50lbs of force rarely, 20lbs occasionally, 10lbs frequently to move objects
#LI-AB1
The annual U.S. base salary range for this full-time position is $108,871.00-$166,036.00. 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
Who We Are Virgin Galactic is an aerospace and space travel company, pioneering human spaceflight for private individuals and researchers with its advanced air and space vehicles. We are making the dream of space travel a reality, delivering spaceflight at an unprecedented frequency, with the development of next generation space vehicles .
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, gender identity, 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.
Phoenix Employment Requirements
For individuals seeking employment at our Phoenix Mesa Gateway Airport facility, employment is contingent upon you obtaining and maintaining a TSA authorized security badge. This includes initial and annual mandatory background checks that are governed by TSA, and conducted by the Phoenix Mesa Gateway Airport badging office.
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