Virgin Galactic · 18 hours ago
Senior Materials Test Engineer
Tustin, CA
Full-time
Onsite
Senior Level, Lead/Staff
$109K/yr - $166K/yr
8+ years expVirgin Galactic is seeking a talented and motivated technical engineer to join our Test & Evaluation team to help get our next generation of spaceships to space. As a Senior Materials Test Engineer, 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.
AerospaceCommercialSpace Travel
No H1B
U.S. Citizen Only
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
Qualification
Required
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
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
Benefits
A full range of medical, financial, and other benefits
Company
Virgin Galactic
Virgin Galactic is a commercial spaceline that develops commercial spacecrafts.
501-1000 employees
Funding
Current Stage
Public CompanyTotal Funding
$1.59B2025-12-09Post Ipo Equity· $46M
2025-12-09Post Ipo Debt· $203M
2024-11-06Post Ipo Equity· $300M
Leadership Team
Michael Colglazier
Chief Executive Officer
Aparna Chitale
Chief People Officer & Executive Vice President Customer Operations
Recent News
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