Title: Sr. Test Instrumentation Engineer

Job Description:

Your Mission at Virgin Galactic

Virgin Galactic is seeking a talented and motivated engineer to execute a variety of Test & Evaluation instrumentation activities for our next generation of Spaceships. Guided by our values, “Safety Above All”, we proactively manage the risks inherent in human spaceflight through our daily actions. The Senior Test Instrumentation Engineer for Test & Evaluation Department will lead and execute the design, build, integration, verification and maintenance of custom and off-the-shelf test equipment and instrumentation for multiple engineering disciplines including, but not limited to structures, materials, mechanical systems, avionics and flight controls. Maintain focus on timeliness and execution of tasks and deliverables every day. Support the company strategy by holding ourselves and one another accountable for getting the work done.

Responsibilities

Engage in Virgin Galactic’s ground testing instrumentation and test equipment for the verification of complex mechanical, electronic and/or structural components and systems
Drive and support the execution of entire instrumentation project cycles from concept through completion
- Define the scope and verifiable requirements of test instrumentation efforts
- Design instrumentation and associated equipment
- Design and develop instrumentation software
- Integrate test instrumentation systems
- Verify as-built systems meet requirements
- Maintain test instrumentation after deployment to active testing
Participate in the test engineering review, approval, and release processes
Participate in the continuous improvement of test instrumentation practices, including processes, procedures, technology implementation, capital projects, standardization efforts and training activities
Ensure common best practices are integrated across test instrumentation
Engage in internal instrumentation user groups to foster share learning with teammates
Ensure that all decisions of your team are driven by safety: be the safety focal for Test Instrumentation - drive the adoption of Job Hazard Analyses (JHAs), safety audits for all roles and work functions, and maintain a safety-first culture
With support from senior management, foster an inclusive work environment that values diversity, sharing, creative problem solving, and strategic thinking
Execute other duties as required by Virgin Galactic senior leadership to support company and program objectives
Continuously practice safety behavior and Foreign Object Debris (FOD) awareness/prevention; adhere to regulatory protocols and rules
Work collaboratively to achieve goals and/or complete assigned tasks
Adhere to set directions and guidelines from team leader to support collaboration across teams to complete projects.

Required Skills and Experience

Bachelors degree from an accredited institution with a concentration in a relevant engineering discipline, or equivalent industry experience
8+ years of experience in test instrumentation including test software, fixtures and/or racks used for component acceptance/qualification, structural test, materials test, or environmental test
Demonstrated experience of Instrumentation selection, signal conditioning and data acquisition
Experience instrumenting strain gages, string potentiometers, thermocouples, accelerometers, load cells, LVDTs and pressure transducers
3+ years of National Instruments PXI, cRIO or cDAQ data acquisition experience
5+ years of LabVIEW development experience in industry (Certified LabVIEW Developer accreditation or equivalent)
- Extensive NI-DAQmx experience
- Proven OOD experience and implementation of by-value or by-reference object-oriented designs in LabVIEW
- Working knowledge of Source Code Control (GIT or equivalent) usage
Electrical engineering experience, as applied to data acquisition and control (e.g. analog, digital, high speed data signal integrity)
Hardware system build and integration experience
- Working knowledge of integration tools (DMM, scope, function generator, power supply, loads, hand tools)
- Working knowledge of mechanical and electrical build tools (wire cutter/stripper/crimper, soldering iron)
Engineering analytical skills in test-relevant engineering areas
Demonstrated organizational skills, capable of juggling and completing multiple tasks across different disciplines and programs
Demonstrate willingness to adjust thinking and behavior.
Ability to communicate in a manner that is timely, respectful, and open to other ideas

Preferred Skills and Experience

Experience with component testing in a DO-160 and/or SMC-S-016 (or similar) environment
Experience with environmental testing of mechanical and/or avionics components and systems
Experience with mechanical and physical testing of materials, with an emphasis on metallic and/or composite materials
Practical knowledge of test processes, including requirements gathering, design creation, integrity in build execution, and reporting skills
Working knowledge of PLM systems
Working knowledge of DQMH and/or JKISM
Working knowledge of UML including Class, Object, Activity, Use Case and Sequence diagrams
Working knowledge of Continuous Integration system usage
Experienced Confluence/Jira user
SharePoint familiarity
Successful execution of projects and tasks in an Agile environment
Demonstrated delegation skills
EIM integration knowledge
Working knowledge of Continuous Integration system setup and management

#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 https://vgcareers.virgingalactic.com/global/en/benefits

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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