At Virgin Orbit, we are launching the small satellite revolution, enabling missions that were previously unimaginable. We are delivering Virgin’s legendary customer experience by combining advanced technology with a diligent, hard-working team. We have built a workplace and a workforce of the future, knowing that our decisions and investments of today are launching the industries of tomorrow. We have engaged a diverse and inclusive community of doers and dreamers alike, empowering all those working today to build satellites and constellations that will change the world.

At Virgin Orbit, we are opening space for good. Search all of our job openings on our career portal.

Position Summary 

Virgin Orbit (VO) is seeking an Industrial Engineer to join the LauncherOne rocket team. You will collaborate with manufacturing, design engineering, and supply chain to evolve the manufacturing processes and factory flow to become highly efficient and to support production rate increases.  You will also transform available manufacturing and business data into information that can steer the business and assist in key decision making.  This role will report to the Director of Lean Manufacturing and will be highly cross-functional, interacting with engineering, supply chain, finance, manufacturing, and senior leadership.     

• Uses available data to develop reports and data visualizations that provide transparency of process capability and performance, assisting management with steering the business.  
• In coordination with Manufacturing Engineering, designs, implements, and improves processes to enhance schedule performance, lower cost, and improve quality.  Focuses on the application of Lean and Industrial Engineering methods to achieve improvement.  
• Evaluates existing processes to determine time standards, value-add and non-value add process elements. 
• Utilizes engineering methods (e.g., mathematical models, simulation, statistics, time studies) to support the development of optimal process designs and efficient utilization of resources (e.g., facilities, personnel, materials, equipment.) 

• Assists manufacturing engineering with factory flow design and layout, rate readiness, line balancing, and other capacity studies. 
• Leads kaizen/continuous improvement events as required to support objectives. 
• Partners with Finance to integrate manufacturing system data directly into the LauncherOne cost model. Supports cost model development so data can be simply and meaningfully applied to all areas of the business.   

Basic Qualifications: 

• Bachelor of Science in Industrial, Systems, or other Engineering discipline. 

• 2+ years of experience in an industrial or manufacturing engineering role focused on process improvement, factory layout and flow optimization.  
• Experience with new product development and production roll-outs. 
• Experience interfacing with Production, Engineering, and Senior Leadership. 

Preferred Skills and Experience: 

• Master of Science degree in an engineering discipline. 
• Lean-sigma certification. 
• Experience applying Lean and Industrial Engineering practices in a high mix, low volume environment 
• Working familiarity with statistical methods to quantify data accuracy, confidence, variability, and perform trend analysis. 
• Creative problem solver, ability to work in multi-disciplinary teams, excellent people and negotiation skills. 

• Experience with Yamazumi analysis and line balancing 
• Experience applying 3P to new layouts 
• Formal training and hands-on application of MOST or MTM time standards.  Use of software tools associated with these measurement methods.    
• Project management and/or technical leadership experience, integrating various functions to drive improvements. 
• Experience utilizing business intelligence software like Tableau, PowerBI, or similar to develop reports from business system databases.     

At Virgin Orbit, we are STRAIGHT UP, which means we encourage honest and transparent communication. Our goal is to help you interpret the pay range you see and understand that compensation is much more than simply base pay.  Individual compensation packages are based on candidate-unique attributes, including, but not limited to, skills, experience, qualifications, and other job-related factors.  Cash compensation is only part of the total reward package, and the range reflects a strong market-based salary.  Some jobs may also be eligible for bonus, overtime pay, weekend work compensation and differentials.  In addition to cash compensation, all Virgin Orbit teammates are eligible for equity which includes stock options and/or RSUs (Restricted Stock Units) and an Employee Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP). 

At Virgin Orbit, you work alongside some of the best and brightest, on the coolest premier dedicated small satellite launch service.  We also know that benefits and belonging are an important piece of your total rewards package.  At Virgin Orbit we offer some of the best around:

• Robust time off with holiday shut down between Christmas and New Year
• Better than market 401k including a Safe Harbor plan
• Superior health and welfare benefits offering an average 90% of benefits premiums paid, including some plans with zero employee contributions
• Financial wellness through Northstar which includes your personal financial advisor
• Paid parental leave
• Tuition reimbursement
• A variety of optional benefits such as pet insurance and discounts, and remote and/or hybrid opportunity for some positions
• Health Reimbursement program providing up to $3,000 max per year for eligible teammates 
• Employee Resource Groups, Virgin cultural gatherings and success celebrations, professional growth opportunities, and more!

At Virgin Orbit, pay and total rewards is about offering competitive programs for any stage of your life and career. We constantly look for opportunities to enhance our programs and reward our teammates and we update our benefits offerings regularly.

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. 

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. 

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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.

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