At Virgin Orbit, we launch the small satellite revolution, accessing space for missions that were previously unimaginable and fostering new ideas and technologies to create a truly spacefaring civilization. We deliver Virgin’s legendary customer service by pairing technological advancements with a clear focus on our customers’ needs. We build a workplace and a workforce for the future, knowing that our decisions and investments of today will launch the industries of tomorrow. We engage a diverse and inclusive community of dreamers and achievers in a shared mission to access space to improve life on Earth. At Virgin Orbit, we boost imagination. Search all of our job openings on our career portal.

Position Summary

Virgin Orbit (VO) is seeking a new member for our team to serve as a Propulsion Components Engineer. Our team owns flow control devices such as valves, regulators, actuators and instrumentation and we support these through the product life cycle; procurement, design, analysis, assembly, integration, test, and system level testing. As a member of the team you will be responsible for owning a small subset of these propulsion components, with an immediate focus towards instrumentation and solenoid valves. Along with supporting flight hardware you will also help improve Virgin Orbits ability to increase production by improving test setups and processes ranging from procuring new test equipment, to analyzing manufacturing data. This role will report to the Propulsion Components Manager and is a Test engineering position that will require software coding, hands-on testing, data analysis and presentation of documented results. This is a full-time position at our rocket factory in beautiful Long Beach, California.

• Develop an understanding of LauncherOne system propulsion requirements, and understanding how those translate to derived component level requirements.
• SAFELY perform development, production, and qualification level tests on different components through a myriad of different environments.
• Familiarity with Data Acquisition Systems, and how to troubleshoot them.
• Select proper instrumentation (pressure transducers, flow meters, RTD’s etc.) to meet the desired test objectives.
• Write test plans and procedures, troubleshoot hardware, post-process test data, and present findings to team members.
• Help Virgin Orbit do our part to make the world a better place
• Constantly learn new things—and share them with your team members
• Performs other duties as assigned

If you want to join us, you’d better have all of these…

• B.S. Engineering (Electrical or Mechanical Engineering preferred)
• Ability and adaptability to thrive in a fast-paced, rapidly changing work environment
• Ability to run analytical software (Matlab, Python, Octave or similar) correlate test data clearly and concisely present to a broad audience.
• Understand basic GD&T and how to read an engineering drawing
• Experience using LabVIEW test code for physical hardware or similar experience
• Familiarity with reading and using NASA, SAE, AIAA etc. specifications such as RCC-319, SMC-S-016.
• Know the basics to CAD, and Microsoft office.
• Able to read and create P&ID’s.
• Driven, highly motivated, and committed to improvement
• Must be able to stand for extended periods – 2 hours minimum
• Must be able to stoop, bend, crawl, and being able to maneuver in tight spaces
• Physically able to handle items weighing up to 20lbs (unassisted)
• Must be able to provide proof of US-approved Covid-19 full vaccination status, unless otherwise exempted by an approved reasonable medical or religious accommodation from Virgin Orbit.

… and you should probably have a bunch of these, too.

• Experience writing, troubleshooting and running LabVIEW data acquisition software.
• Understanding of the design fundamentals for components and different sensors (analog or digital).
• Eagerness to learn and dig into new concepts/projects.
• Comfortable in a lab environment that conducts a range of component testing (pressure, vibration, thermal, life).
• Experience writing test reports and analyzing data stating outcomes using critical thinking.
• Practical mentality to balance perfect testing vs. efficient testing.
• Passion for space exploration and a firm belief in the utility of affordable access to space
• Troubleshooting test setup experience.

ITAR Requirements

To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, applicant must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the U.S., protected individual as defined by ITAR (22 CFR §120.15) or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.

Personal Requirements

Our idea of a happy life: build rockets, work with brilliant people, serve purposeful customers, and open access to space. Sir Richard Branson’s belief is “If you get the perfect mix of people working for your company, you have a far greater chance of success.” From the very start, we have placed top priority on growing and fostering a team of creative, diverse, and talented women and men. In the words of Sir Richard Branson “We believe it’s better to have a hole in your team than an asshole in your team!”

Search all of our job openings— www.VirginOrbit.com

Virgin Orbit is an Equal Opportunity Employer; employment with Virgin Orbit is governed on the basis of merit, competence and qualifications and will not be influenced in any manner by race, color, religion, gender, national origin/ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, marital status, mental or physical disability or any other legally protected status.