Senior Materials Test Engineer

Virgin Galactic • Tustin, CA

13d

About The Position

Virgin Galactic is seeking a talented and motivated technical engineer to join our Test & Evaluation team to help get our next generation of spaceships to space! Guided by our values, “Safety above All”, we proactively manage the risks inherent in human spaceflight through our daily actions in all our testing activities.
As a Senior Materials Test Engineer in the Test & Evaluation Department, you will focus on the activities surrounding the test of composite components and assemblies for our spaceships by defining and driving mechanical testing to support the structural analysis of both current and future space vehicle designs and builds.
You’ll bring your extensive expertise in materials testing to help ensure that novel materials, joints, bonding solutions and part designs meet exact standards before they are accepted for use on next generation of spaceships!

Requirements

• Requires a minimum of 8 years of related experience in the evaluation of aerospace industry (or equivalent) materials, including composites, and plastics with a bachelor’s degree from an ABET, or equivalent, accredited institution with a concentration in a relevant Engineering or Sciences discipline.
• A strong understanding of material structure, processing, performance, and failure
• Extensive experience with ASTM or ISO test methods for composite materials
• Familiarity with composite materials and processes used in the manufacture of composite aircraft fuselage and structural components including out-of-autoclave processing
• Experience with materials and process specifications for composite materials
• Familiarity with industry-accepted statistical analysis methods of treating test data such as those found in CMH-17
• Basic CAD modelling and drafting experience (Catia preferred)
• Experience in authoring test plans and reports
• Knowledge of mechanical testing and physical characterization methods
• Familiarity with statistical analysis methods of treating test data
• Conversant in non-destructive inspection methods frequently employed on composite parts and assemblies
• Working knowledge of precision inspection/measurement tools (e.g. optical microscope, FTIR, SEM, Mass Spectrometer, DSC)
• Experience in stress analysis methods, including the use of hand calculations
• Experience with cyclic or fatigue testing of composite materials
• Design of custom test fixturing used in materials testing
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Ability to effectively present technical topics to upper leadership
• Familiarity with shop floor manufacturing and inspection technologies knowledge
• Demonstrated ability to use computer applications to follow work instructions
• A hands-on mentality and an emphasis on continuous improvement
• Experience in an Agile work environment

Nice To Haves

• Master’s or 10+ years’ experience in the evaluation of aerospace materials, including composites, and plastics
• Familiarity with composite materials and processes used in the manufacture of composite aircraft fuselage and structural components including bond preparation, surface treatments, and bonded assemblies
• Extensive knowledge of mechanical testing and physical characterization methods for composite materials and joints & familiarity with industry-accepted statistical analysis methods of treating test data such as those found in CMH17-1
• Experience with aerospace grade metals, such as those in the MMPDS
• Experience in authoring/revising materials and process specifications for composite materials
• Experience in developing a Design of Experiments
• Extensive knowledge of mechanical testing and physical characterization methods for composite materials and joints
• Experience with non-destructive inspection methods frequently employed on composite parts and assemblies
• Laboratory or industrial computer application proficiency
• Atlassian product experience (Jira, Confluence)
• Strong safety forward-thinking, practicing good housekeeping and tool control

Responsibilities

• Develop and refine material requirements across multiple programs
• Author material and joint test plans, oversee their execution and create their associated reports
• Review test data and undertake post-testing activities including design allowable calculations, equivalency determinations, and failure mode analysis
• Review test plans, process specifications, part drawings, and other documents to ensure compliance with design requirements
• Confer with stakeholders in Manufacturing, Engineering, and other departments to facilitate production of parts
• Communicate technical concepts and results to Programmatic and Engineering stakeholders to inform company/program decisions
• Develop standards, procedures, and best practices to improve team efficiency
• Recommend process improvement and equipment purchase to develop team capability
• Provide mentorship, training, and guidance to other engineers on the team
• Identify and implement process improvements for efficiency and quality
• Execute other duties as required by Virgin Galactic senior leadership to support company and program objectives

Benefits

• 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

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Number of Employees: 501-1,000 employees