Aeroelasticity Engineer

Who we are

Virgin Galactic www.VirginGalactic.com (SPCE:NYSE) Virgin Galactic recognizes that the answers to many of the challenges we face in sustaining life on our beautiful but fragile planet, lie in making better use of space. Sending people to space has not only expanded our understanding of science, but taught us amazing things about human ingenuity, physiology and psychology. From space, we are able to look with a new perspective both outward and back. From space, the borders that are fought over on Earth are arbitrary lines. From space it is clear that there is much more that unites than divides us.

We are at the vanguard of a new industry determined to pioneer twenty-first century spacecraft, which will open space to everybody — and change the world for good.  Sir Richard Branson, Founder, Virgin Galactic

If you are looking for a challenging opportunity that will ignite your passion for designing cool and innovative products, are exceptionally creative, are a great problem solver, and can make things happen - apply today!

Your Mission

The Aeroelasticity Engineer will be responsible for aeroelastic analyses, advancing the structural dynamics and flutter for the suborbital spaceplane SpaceShipTwo, Spaceship 3, the mothership Eve, and other special projects. The Aeroelasticity Engineer will also be responsible for promoting a culture of continual improvement and quality within the Aeroelasticity Team.

Virgin Galactic is seeking an engineer with experience in flutter, aerodynamics, and structures. The candidate will build on existing knowledge of key aircraft systems. The candidate will also support flight test planning, mission control preparation, flight test data reduction, and model evaluation for flight test and vehicle envelope expansion.

• Build and/or modify dynamically representative finite element models (FEM) using NASTRAN
• Perform modal structural analyses
• Generate doublet-lattice and linearized Euler aerodynamics
• Perform flutter analyses and interpret results
• Perform aeroservoelastic analyses
• Support pre-flight preparation including review of test limitations, flight test plans and procedures, flight readiness reviews, mission control room support, and post flight analysis
• Work with other internal and external engineering groups to ensure proper application aeroelastic requirements
• Support entry into commercial service by ensuring that regulatory and internal company requirements related to aeroelasticity are met
• Perform FEM updates and tuning from data collected during ground and flight testing and data created with analytical tools
• Develop and improve standards, processes, and best practices
• Determine methods and procedures on new assignments and coordinate activities of other team members

What you bring

• Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace Engineering, and/or equivalent, with a minimum of 3 years of related experience
• Fundamentals in subsonic & supersonic aerodynamics
• Aeroelasticity background
• Experience in flight test aerodynamic and dynamics model validation and correlation
• Working knowledge of aircraft and spacecraft systems
• Advanced programming skills: MATLAB, C
• Proven ability to carry out technical work in an environment with multiple stakeholders
• Excellent proactive communication (oral, written, presentation), interpersonal, negotiation and organizational skills
• Ability to successfully complete assigned tasks with a low level of supervision and oversight
• Applicants must be U.S. persons as defined by the ITAR (22 CFR §120.15)

Preferred Skills and Experience

• Test planning experience, including flight and ground testing, writing test plans, instrumentation selection and planning, and data verification
• Test execution experience, including familiarity with standard flight test practices and safety processes
• Familiarity with relevant aerospace standards and design criteria (FAA, FAA-AST, NASA, MilSpec, etc.)
• Experience with FEMAP and NX-NASTRAN highly desired
• Experience with ZAERO, ZEUS and/or FUN3D highly desired
• Experience in other Flight Sciences disciplines

Physical and/or Additional Requirements

The position will be based out of our Tustin or Mojave office with a hybrid remote/onsite schedule.

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.

As part of our commitment to health and safety, COVID-19 vaccines are required for current U.S. teammates, as well as all 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) . If  you are offered employment, this requirement must be met by your date of hire. 

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.