Specialist, Systems Engineer

You will be a Specialist Systems Engineer leading the team responsible for designing, developing, and verifying our next-generation spaceflight systems. Guided by our core value, Safety Above All, we actively manage the unique risks of human spaceflight through disciplined engineering, rigorous design practices, and daily commitment to quality.

This role blends deep technical ownership with people leadership, driving engineering excellence while supporting and developing a high-performing team of systems engineers.

If you thrive on building innovative products, solving complex interdisciplinary challenges, and turning big ideas into reality, we’d love to meet you.

Position is in Tustin, CA with a 4 day on-site and 1 day remote work schedule.

Relocation assistance available.

Responsibilities

Lead, mentor, and grow a high-performing systems engineering team committed to technical rigor and continuous improvement.

Drive end-to-end requirements management, including capture, decomposition, allocation, traceability, and change control throughout the full lifecycle.

Oversee system architecture definition, modeling, and interface management to enable seamless subsystem integration.

Lead verification and validation planning, execution, and documentation aligned with aerospace.

Ensure disciplined configuration management, documentation control, and compliance with certification and regulatory requirements.

Apply quality engineering practices: defect tracking, root cause analysis, corrective/preventive actions, and lessons learned.

Guide risk management, trade studies, and technical decision-making to maximize safety, reliability, and performance.

Incorporate industry-proven systems engineering processes (ie: V-model, DO‑178/254, ARP4754A) and lead major design reviews (SRR, PDR, CDR, etc.).

Establish clear vision, goals, and expectations while fostering a collaborative, inclusive, and growth-oriented team culture.

Ensure accuracy, completeness, and integrity of engineering deliverables across the system lifecycle.

Partner closely with Engineering, Program Management, and Technical Leadership to ensure cohesive execution.

Lead projects, resource planning, cross-functional project coordination.

Projects include, but are not limited to the design and development of space flight vehicles.

Required Skills & Experience

Bachelor’s degree in STEM with 12+ years of systems engineering experience; master’s with 8+ years; or PhD with 5+ years.

Proven experience in requirements definition, integration, and verification for aerospace systems (avionics, structures, mechanical, electrical, or interiors).

Strong knowledge of systems engineering processes (V‑diagram), requirements management tools, and milestone reviews (SRR, PDR, CDR).

Excellent communication, collaboration, and leadership skills.

Highly self‑motivated, adaptable, and capable of managing multiple priorities in fast-paced environments.

Preferred Skills & Experience

Advanced degree in Systems Engineering.

Experience with DOORS, CAMEO, ENOVIA, SysML, MBSE, or comparable toolsets.

INCOSE CSEP certification.

Familiarity with aerospace quality and certification standards (AS9100, DO‑178/254, ARP4754A).

Familiarity with human spaceflight standards.

Strong systems architecting ability with a holistic, big-picture mindset.

Positive, proactive, and resilient in dynamic environments.

Passion for mentoring, coaching, and challenging the status quo to elevate engineering excellence.

#LI-MS2

The annual U.S. base salary range for this full-time position is $176,598.00–$269,442.00. 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

About Virgin Galactic

Virgin Galactic is dedicated to expanding the boundaries of human possibility. Through its spaceflight expeditions, the company offers people a profound new perspective on our planet and their own potential, while enabling scientific discovery and supporting strategic government missions. Virgin Galactic combines world-class aerospace engineering with thoughtfully designed astronaut experiences and a scalable spaceline operating model.

Its reusable, air-launched Spaceships are designed to make spacefilight safe, repeatable, operationally efficient, and increasingly accessible, advancing a long-term vision of opening space to millions for extraordinary purposes. Learn more at www.virgingalactic.com.

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.

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.

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