Flight Test Engineer Jobs in California

As a Sr. 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 safety at the forefront. 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, support, and conduct test missions, 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 to verify the safe and effective operations of our flight test vehicles. Configuration control, test conduct, and reporting are standard duties. Support the company strategy by holding ourselves and one another accountable for getting the work done.

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 Operations
• Define control room display requirements and updates
• Define and monitor configurations for tests
• Support test readiness reviews (TRRs), technical safety review boards (TSRBs), flight readiness reviews (FRRs), or support major program milestones
• Conduct tests on the aircraft and in the control room
• 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
• Continuously practice safety behavior and Foreign Object Debris (FOD) awareness/prevention; adhere to regulatory protocols and rules
• Maintain focus on timeliness and execution of tasks and deliverables every day.
• Work collaboratively to achieve goals and/or complete assigned tasks
• Adhere to set directions and guidelines from team leader to support collaboration across teams to complete projects.

Required Skills and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, preferably in aerospace
• 8 years of flight test experience
• General understanding of aeroelastic flutter, fly-by-wire flight controls, handling qualities, and mechanical systems.
• Excellent interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills
• Able to manage multiple tasks simultaneously and thrive in a complex product development environment with multiple priorities.
• Experience working in a control room environment
• Able to hold an FAA Second-Class medical certificate
• Strong safety forward thinking, practice good housekeeping, tool control, recognizing the importance of properly handling hazardous materials and chemicals
• Familiar with the use of personal protective equipment (PPE)
• Position located in Tustin, CA an required to be on-site four (4) days a week, with travel to Las Cruces, NM and Spaceport America up to 50-70% in 2026-2027.

Preferred Skills and Experience

• A general understanding of aerospace drawings, specifications, and manufacturing processes
• Test Pilot School graduate, or flight test course work
• Familiarity with the National Airspace System (NAS), Military Operating Areas (MOAs), and other Special Use Airspaces (SUAs)
• Familiarity with good crew resource management (CRM) practices
• Experience with IMP/IMS, risk management, configuration management, requirements management processes preferred.

#LI-MS2

The annual U.S. base salary range for this full-time position is $108,871.00–$166,036.00. 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.