• Direct a team of 3-6 engineers on LauncherOne propulsion models, and data tools.
• Enforce best practices for model creation, validation, revision control and resulting artifacts.
• Perform engine system performance analysis of potential rocket engine flight conditions with industry standard tool ROCETS.
• Reconstruct rocket ground and flight performance.
• Analyze engine, stage and component behavior in all phases of operation, including transient and steady state, to diagnose behavior, investigate anomalies, and advise on design improvements
• Own and continually improve tools for modeling vehicle performance, including prediction and reconstruction of operation in flight and on the ground.
• Develop and maintain tools for data visualization and analysis.
• Work with other teams in propulsion to perform trade studies and concept evaluation of potential new designs/architectures.
• Business-critical decision-making based on technical merit, cost, and schedule metrics responsibility to communicate findings both internally and to customers
• Assist in the creation of test and development plans for model verification (pressurization systems, engines and propulsion components).
• Technical mentoring of colleagues in area of propulsion system design and analysis.
• Help Virgin Orbit do our part to make the world a better place
• Constantly learn new things—and share them with your team members
• Perform other duties that arise as part of overall business operations

• Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering
• Minimum 10 years of related experience in liquid propellant launch vehicles and/or fluid network models
• Experience with rocket development, design, and/or test operations.
• Familiarity with the following software packages: ROCETS, GFSSP, SINDA/FLUINT
• Experience developing analytical solutions using MATLAB, Python, etc.
• Experience using JIRA and Confluence.
• Capable of solving complex problems with little to no supervision on schedule as an individual or as a member of an integrated team
• Strong work ethic and a self-starter
• Ability and willingness to thrive in a fast-paced, rapidly changing work environment
• Driven, highly motivated, and committed to improvement
• Must be a U.S. person as defined by the ITAR (22 CFR §120.15)
• Must be able to provide proof of US-approved Covid-19 full vaccination status, unless otherwise exempted by an approved reasonable medical or religious accommodation from Virgin Orbit

• Experience in low cost commercial space system ventures desired
• Experience with space launch vehicles or aircraft systems
• Experience with software development processes and tools (Git, Stash)
• Experience administering and automating JIRA and Confluence desired
• Passion for space exploration and a firm belief in the utility of affordable access to space
• Experience with pump fed liquid rocket engine analysis
• Experience with rocket turbomachinery performance parameters
• Experience with liquid rocket engine combustion device data evaluation
• Experience with instrumentation, data collection, and their impacts on performance calculations
• Experience with typical liquid rocket propellant behavior, including cryogenic fluids
• Experience with dynamic data acquisition, processing, and evaluation

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.

Personal Requirements

Our idea of a happy life: build rockets, work with brilliant people, serve purposeful customers, and open access to space. Sir Richard Branson’s belief is “If you get the perfect mix of people working for your company, you have a far greater chance of success.” From the very start, we have placed top priority on growing and fostering a team of creative, diverse, and talented women and men.

Stay in touch with the latest news and updates from Virgin Orbit by following us on:

YouTube TwitterInstagram Facebook LinkedIn

Virgin Orbit is an Equal Opportunity Employer; employment with Virgin Orbit 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.

#LI-SS1