Operations Planning & Performance Program Manager

At Virgin Galactic, we are opening space for the benefit of humankind. Guided by our values, “Safety Above All”, we proactively manage the risks inherent in human spaceflight through our daily actions. Our team is united by a spirit of exploration, a passion for operational excellence, and a belief that space has the power to inspire. The Operations Planning & Performance (OPP) team plays a central role in turning that vision into reality by ensuring every mission is executed safely, efficiently, and with world‑class precision.

As a Program Manager within the OPP organization, you will orchestrate the planning, performance, and operational rhythm that enable our Spaceline to thrive. You will drive collaboration across Spaceline Mission, Technical Operations, Safety, and Astronaut Operations teams, to ensure that every mission is meticulously planned, risks are surfaced early, performance is understood clearly, and execution is aligned end‑to‑end.

You’ll also support the VP of Spaceline Missions in an advisory capacity, bringing clarity to priorities, structure to operations, and momentum to decisions. This role is ideal for individuals with aviation or airline operations experience who thrive in complex, fast‑paced, high‑reliability environments. Serve as a connective link between operational leadership and cross‑functional partners, ensuring clarity and alignment, support the company strategy by holding ourselves and one another accountable for getting the work done.

Responsibilities

• Spearhead long‑range mission planning by gathering inputs from cross‑functional teams and integrating them into a cohesive operational roadmap.
• Maintain planning gates and readiness milestones that keep the organization aligned on priorities and timelines.
• Lead and Facilitate scenario planning, risk identification, and coordination across mission‑critical teams.
• Drive initiatives that improve throughput, reduce operational friction, and enhance mission predictability.
• Manage resource coordination, program deliverables within scope, schedule, and resource constraints; identifies risks, dependencies, and mitigation plans and hold team to delivery accountability.
• Identify opportunities to streamline processes and strengthen the operating rhythm of the organization and implement changes as appropriate.
• Maintain dashboards and performance metrics that give leadership a clear view of departmental costs, efficiencies, mission reliability, readiness, and cadence health and provide structured, data‑driven insights that shape operational decisions and planning assumptions.
• Support Post‑Mission Reviews and drive accountability on follow‑through actions.
• Deliver concise, executive‑ready updates, decision briefs, and communications for the VP of Spaceline Missions.
• Implement and track actions, risks, decisions, and priorities across the organization in alignment with cross-functional teams.
  
  

Required Skills & Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in relevant engineering or operational management field area
• PMP certified with a minimum of 8 years of program management experience in aviation, airline operations, aerospace operations, mission control, or similar high‑reliability operational environments
• Experience in flight/mission planning, operations control, scheduling, network, crew planning, or program management.
• Advanced analytical abilities and comfort working with metrics, dashboards, and operational data.
• Exceptional communication and synthesis skills—able to bring clarity to complex operational topics.
• Deliver initiatives from initiation through completion, with proven success leading cross‑functional workstreams and influencing without authority.
• Demonstrate willingness to adjust thinking and behavior.
• Ability to communicate in a manner that is timely, respectful, and open to other ideas.
  
  

The annual U.S. base salary range for this full-time position is $121,650.00–$185,625.00. 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.