As a Specialist Flight Test Engineer (FTE), you will lead ground and flight test activities. You'll ensure the project meets mission requirements and maintains technical, budgetary and schedule integrity with zero safety incidents. You will be the communication liaison between engineers and managers by developing consistent test methods, processes, and procedures and be responsible for coordinating activities involved with planning, executing, and reporting on ground and flight tests. You will plan and conduct test flights, provide timely test reports, and provide some analysis as required. The FTE works closely with Engineering to turn their requirements into specific test procedures and plans in order to verify the safe and effective operations of our flight test vehicles. Configuration control, test conduct, and reporting are standard duties.
Responsibilities
- Lead ground test and flight test activities
- Gather and develop the test requirements from the different engineering disciplines
- Work with engineering to turn requirements into test configuration, procedures, conditions, and maneuvers
- Develop test plans
- Develop the test schedules with project engineers and program managers
- Coordinate test schedules with maintenance, engineering, and flight ops
- Define control room display requirements and updates
- Define and monitor configurations for tests
- Monitor and conduct tests on the aircraft and spaceships
- Provide daily reports on vehicle progress and reports on tests as flown and completed
- Update flight logs and test documentation
- Write test reports to document results
- Travel is 50-70% in 2025/2026
Required Skills and Experience
- Bachelor’s degree in engineering, preferably in aerospace
- 10 years of test flight experience - Knowledge of flight test and aerospace - Excellent interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills
- Energetic, passionate, and organized team member ready to support complex test operations
- Able to manage multiple tasks simultaneously and thrive in a complex product development environment with multiple priorities
- Excellent verbal and written communication, excellent computer skills including Microsoft Word, Excel, Project, and PowerPoint
- Experience with IMP/IMS, risk management, configuration management, requirements management processes preferred
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with a high attention to detail - Team player with excellent organizational and interpersonal skills
- Ability to handle multiple tasks while maintaining attention to detail and accuracy and working under tight time deadlines.
- Preferences:
- A general understanding of aerospace drawings, specifications, and manufacturing processes
- Test Pilot School graduate, or flight test course work
The annual U.S. base salary range for this full-time position is $132,100.00–$201,550.00. 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
Who We Are
Virgin Galactic is transforming humanity’s relationship with space. By making it more open and accessible, we are connecting the world to the love, wonder and awe inspired by space travel, helping to create new opportunities for the benefit of life on Earth. Whether it’s supporting cutting-edge research missions for scientists and students, or offering life-changing experiences for the adventurers among us, Virgin Galactic is THE spaceline for Earth. Such an audacious vision requires a team as driven as they are curious - one capable of redefining the boundaries of what’s possible.
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.