Senior Engineer, Flight Test

Job overview

The Senior Engineer, Flight Test role is onsite in Tustin, CA four days per week, with travel to Las Cruces, NM and Spaceport America of up to 50–70% in 2026–2027. Compensation is $108,871–$166,036 per year. The role supports Virgin Galactic’s development of advanced air and space vehicles and human spaceflight. The engineer plans, coordinates, conducts, and reports ground and flight tests to verify vehicle requirements and safe operations. The role connects engineering requirements with test procedures, schedules, configurations, and results while maintaining technical, budget, schedule, and safety integrity.

What you'll do

• Lead ground and flight test activities
• gather requirements from engineering disciplines
• develop test configurations, procedures, conditions, maneuvers, and plans
• coordinate schedules with project engineering, maintenance, and flight operations
• define control-room display requirements and test configurations
• support readiness reviews and program milestones
• conduct aircraft and control-room tests
• provide daily progress and test reports
• update flight logs and documentation
• practice safety and foreign-object-debris prevention.

What we're looking for

Skills & competencies

flight test engineer

senior engineer

ground testing

flight testing

aerospace

space vehicles

test planning

flight operations

tustin ca

virgin galactic

las cruces nm travel

spaceport america travel

$108,871–$166,036/year

Work arrangement

• Weekend coverage required

Benefits & perks

• Medical, financial, and other benefits
• additional pay such as bonus or long-term incentives may be provided depending on the position.

Why this role

Onsite in Tustin four days per week; travel to Las Cruces and Spaceport America may reach 50–70% in 2026–2027; requires eight years of flight test experience and ability to hold an FAA Second-Class medical certificate.

About the employer

Virgin Galactic is hiring for this role. Industry: Guided Missile and Space Vehicle Manufacturing. Sector: 33.