Specialist- Aerospace Development Engineer - Interiors

Your Mission at Virgin Galactic

As the Sr. Aerospace Development Engineer focused on our Spaceship Interiors, you will be a technical leader working directly with the program Project Engineer and a cross discipline engineering team responsible for critical scope that delivers comfort, convenience, and safety to our passengers, and allows us to deliver a “best in class” experience during a compelling and transformational journey that takes them to space and back. Our Spaceship interior is a completely custom design, meant to deliver on our passenger’s high expectations for a once in a lifetime experience with a goal of delivering compelling views of the earth from space and a one-of-a-kind apogee experience they will truly never forget. The interior is our touch point and interface with each passenger delivering on the Virgin brand of quality, comfort, and safety from the moment they enter, to their first step back on Earth. Our goal is for this to look and feel like nothing they have ever done before, and to leave them excited to return.  

• Responsible for design, development, and delivery of critical scope including full lifecycle requirement definition, verification planning, design, execution, and on-ship implementation.


• Support the Interiors Project Engineer and Chief Engineer in identifying the engineering scope required across all disciplines to meet program requirements.


• Lead engineering resources and direct external vendors to complete program deliverables.


• Support development of design, validation, and verification plans.


• Develop integrated proposals to mitigate and retire program risks.


• Validate schedule and staffing estimates for the Engineering activities.


• Communicate status effectively with the Engineering Team and leadership.


• Perform high level quality control of the work (technical adequacy, plans, personnel's performance).


• Report on engineering project status to program and engineering leadership.


• Develop and implement corrective actions for poor quality engineering results.


• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering from an accredited institution.


• 8+ years engineering experience


• Prior experience with interiors or similar programs.


• Demonstrated ability to lead and empower a team of subject matter experts in varying technical disciplines.


• Understanding of aircraft or transportation system design and engineering processes.


• Excellent written & verbal communication skills


• Strong analytical and creative problem-solving skills with a high attention to detail.


• Team player with excellent collaboration, organizational and interpersonal skills.


• Highly dependable, strong work ethic, with excellent time management skills.  

Preferred Skills and Experience

• Experience with life safety design/requirements •Experience with prototype, development, and/or innovative products


• Hands on experience with equipment assembly, fabrication, and installation


• Proactive/self-sufficient/able to work and add value with minimal oversight


• Willingness to learn new things and continually improve capabilities/skills


• Positive and optimistic influence on team, department, and community


• Comfortable working in a creative/chaotic environment


• Desire and ability to mentor others 

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. 

ITAR Requirements 

To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, applicant must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the U.S., protected individual as defined by ITAR (22 CFR §120.15) or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State. 

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. 

COVID 

As part of our commitment to health and safety, COVID-19 vaccines are required for current U.S. teammates, as well as newly hired employees. As of October 1, 2021, all new hires must be able to provide proof that they are fully vaccinated against the COVID-19 virus, (“fully vaccinated” means at least two weeks have expired since receiving the vaccination’s last dose as recommended by the manufacturer) or have a valid religious or medical exemption.  If you are offered employment, this requirement must be met be your date of hire.  Virgin Galactic complies with federal, state, and local laws with regard to accommodations related to this policy.