Specialist, Systems Engineer

Virgin Galactic is seeking a Specialist, Systems Engineer to lead the team responsible for designing, developing, and verifying our groundbreaking spaceflight systems. Guided by our values, “Safety Above All”, we proactively manage the risks inherent in human spaceflight through our daily actions in the design and assembly efforts. This role combines technical and people leadership — driving engineering excellence while developing and helping support a team of talented systems engineers.

Responsibilities

• Lead, mentor, and help develop a high-performing systems engineering team.
• Drive requirements management: capture, decomposition, allocation, traceability, and change control from concept through verification.
• Oversee system architecture definition, modeling, and interface control to ensure seamless integration across subsystems.
• Lead verification and validation planning, execution, and documentation in compliance with aerospace standards.
• Ensure rigorous configuration management, documentation control, and compliance with certification and regulatory requirements.
• Apply quality engineering practices, including defect tracking, root cause analysis, corrective/preventive actions, and lessons learned.
• Guide risk management, trade studies, and technical decision-making to optimize safety, reliability, and performance.
• Ensure adherence to aerospace systems engineering processes (V-model, DO-178/DO-254, ARP4754A) and support major design reviews (SRR, PDR, CDR, etc.).
• Define vision, goals, and expectations while fostering an inclusive, growth-oriented culture.
• Ensure quality and integrity of engineering deliverables across the system lifecycle.
• Collaborate closely with Engineering, Program Management, and Technical Leadership.
• Lead staffing, budgets, schedules, and project plans.

Required Skills And Experience

• Typically requires a bachelor’s degree in STEM with 12 or more years of systems engineering experience; a master’s degree with 8 years of experience; or a PhD with 5 years of experience.
• Strong background in requirements definition, integration, and verification for aerospace systems (avionics, structures, mechanical, electrical, or interiors).
• Knowledge of systems engineering processes (V-diagram), requirements management tools, and milestone reviews (SRR, PDR, CDR, etc.).
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills.
• Self-motivated, adaptable, and capable of managing multiple priorities.

Preffered Skills And Experience

• Advanced degree in Systems Engineering.
• Experience with DOORS, CAMEO, ENOVIA, SysML, MBSE, or similar tools.
• INCOSE CSEP certification.
• Familiarity with aerospace quality and certification standards (AS9100, DO-178/254, ARP4754A, etc.).
• Strong systems architecting skills and big-picture mindset.
• Positive, proactive, and adaptable in dynamic environments.
• Commitment to mentoring and challenging the status quo.

The annual U.S. base salary range for this full-time position is $136,063.00–$207,596.00. 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.