Specialist Engineer, Loads & Dynamics

Virgin Galactic is seeking an experienced Loads & Dynamics specialist to join our multidisciplinary System Analysis organization. Guided by our values, “Safety Above All”, we proactively manage the risks inherent in human spaceflight through our daily actions. Serve as the SME for Loads & Dynamics within the System Analysis team, owning technical depth in that domain while interfacing with adjacent disciplines across engineering.In this role, you will support flight test, structural analysis, model development, and dynamic behavior evaluation for our suborbital Spaceship, Launch Vehicle, and special ‑mission programs. You will contribute directly to how our vehicles are analyzed, tested, and brought into commercial service; working in an environment that values collaboration across Aerodynamic, Thermal, External Loads, and Aeroelasticity disciplines.

Why This Role Is Unique

This position offers a rare combination of deep technical challenge, hands on involvement, and broad cross‑ disciplinary influence. As part of a unified System Analysis team, you’ll work at the intersection of loads, dynamics, aeroelasticity, aerodynamics, and thermal, helping shape how these disciplines integrate across the full vehicle lifecycle. You will have direct impact on active flight‑ test campaigns, model development, and vehicle design decisions, with opportunities to see your work validated‑ through real data.

Beyond technical execution, this role provides room for leadership growth. You will help develop engineering standards, guide analytical strategy, mentor others, and contribute to shaping the future direction of Loads & Dynamics as our fleet and capabilities expand. This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced engineer who enjoys solving cross functional challenges and wants meaningful influence on both near‑ term vehicle performance and long‑ ‑term system architecture. Maintain focus on timeliness and execution of tasks and deliverables every day.

Responsibilities

• Support development and validation of loads event simulations and loads criteria for suborbital and unconventional vehicle configurations
• Contribute to pre‑flight preparation including limitations review, test plans, procedures, readiness reviews, mission control support, and post‑flight analysis
• Collaborate cross functionally‑ to ensure proper application of loads and dynamic requirements across structures, aero, thermal, and design engineering
• Develop airframe and component static loads for structural design and qualification
• Establish dynamic loads for structural design such as Tuned and PSD Gust, dynamic landing, and store separation
• Support the entry into commercial service by ensuring internal and regulatory loads requirements are satisfied
• Build or modify dynamically representative Finite Element Models (FEM) using FEMAP
• Perform FEM updates and tuning using ground and flight test data as well as analytical tools
• Develop rational static and dynamic loads criteria for unique vehicle configurations
• Lead development of standardized analysis methods, tools, and reporting processes
• Provide technical leadership within Loads & Dynamics and across the engineering organization
• Mentor and coach team members, sharing best practices and elevating analytical capability
• Help define loads and dynamics scope for programs, coordinate work packages, and ensure high quality, on‑ ‑schedule deliverables
• Lead cross functional teams to resolve complex technical problems and advise engineering leadership on critical loads‑ related‑ risks and opportunities
• Work collaboratively to achieve goals and/or complete assigned tasks
  
  

Required Skills And Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering from an accredited institution with approximately 12 years of relevant professional experience (advanced degrees may reduce experience requirement)
• Experience with flight and ground test planning, including test plan authorship, instrumentation selection, and data verification
• Expertise in dynamic model validation and correlation using test data
• Working knowledge of aircraft or spacecraft systems
• Experience with 6DOF flight dynamics and trajectory simulation
• Familiarity with applicable aerospace standards and structural design criteria (FAA, FAA‑AST, NASA, MilSpec, etc.)
• Strong programming and automation skills in MATLAB and Python, including sound software development practices
• Experience with FEM software cush as FEMAP, PATRAN
• Proficiency with NASTRAN
• Demonstrate willingness to adjust thinking and behavior.
• Ability to communicate in a manner that is timely, respectful, and open to other ideas
  
  

Preferred Skills And Experience

• Experience developing vibratory environments and supporting application of vibratory spectra to component qualification
• Experience with ZAERO, ZEUS, ZONAIR, or FUN3D
• Cross disciplinary‑ experience in aerodynamics or thermal analysis
• Hands o‑n flight test execution experience and familiarity with standard flight test safety processes
  
  

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.