Engineering Mgr, Tech Policy & Program Integration

We are seeking an experienced aerospace engineer to lead the critical activities that ensure regulatory compliance related to our vehicles and mission operations. This role sits at the interface between engineering, regulatory oversight, and mission assurance. You will lead a multidisciplinary team responsible for interpreting, applying, and shaping aerospace regulations and standards that govern our vehicles and missions. This is not a traditional program management role — success requires technical fluency, engineering judgment, and a track record of leadership in regulated aerospace environments.

Responsibilities

• Lead and mentor a team of 2-6 engineers and specialists in support of compliance needs and policy-making efforts.
• Act as team liaison with program management to develop long-term project schedules, strategies, and deliverables related to compliance needs. Ensure those goals are met throughout the project's lifetime using systems engineering principles.
• Act as team liaison to ensure operational processes are in-line with license approvals, industry guidance, and best practices.
• Represent the team’s interests at enterprise and programmatic leadership meetings.
• Represent company’s interest in regulatory working groups, rulemaking bodies, and industry coalitions.
• Manage resource allocation, project timelines, and budgets to meet strategic goals.
• Manage technical and programmatic risks, developing mitigation plans with cross-functional collaborators.
• Coordinate with stakeholders in the preparation of data packages as may be required for documenting compliance activities.
• Stay informed on industry and regulatory trends, advising senior leadership on emerging policy impacts.
• Approve artifacts supporting licensing, verification, and reporting standards as may be required by regulators (FAA, FCC, etc.) or program milestones.
• Promote technical skill development to advance capability within the Spaceline Regulatory Affairs team
  
  

Required Skills And Experience

• Requires a minimum of 6 years’ experience in aerospace or similar industry having technical regulatory requirements with a bachelor’s degree in an engineering or technical discipline (STEM required); or 4 years of experience with a Master’s Degree; and a minimum of 4 or more years of management and/or leadership experience.
• Deep experience with aerospace systems, flight operations, manufacturing, or maintenance operations is a plus.
• Demonstrated expertise of 14 CFR Part 450, Part 460, Part 440, Part 91, and related regulation sets.
• Experience participating in our leading industry or regulatory initiatives (e.g., COMSTAC, CSF, SpARC, SpCDM).
• Demonstrated project management skills and a history of delivering results.
• Ability to multitask and effectively manage several parallel subprojects concurrently.
• Superior communication and interpersonal skills, capable of fostering positive relationships with team members, stakeholders, and clients.
• Demonstrate competence in teamwork, collaboration, planning, negotiating, decision-making, and leadership.
  
  

Preferred Skills And Experience

• Certification in project or systems engineering (PMP, INCOSE ASEP).
• Experience in flight test, mission assurance, or aerospace operations.
• Familiarity with cross-domain regulatory concerns (e.g., airspace integration, spectrum licensing, human spaceflight safety).
  
  

The annual U.S. base salary range for this full-time position is $99,498.00–$151,719.00. 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.