Manager, Systems Engineering

Overview

Virgin Galactic is seeking a Systems Engineering Manager to lead the team responsible for designing, developing, and verifying our groundbreaking spaceflight systems. Guided by our values, “Safety Above All”, we proactively manage the risks inherent in human spaceflight through our daily actions in the design and assembly efforts. This role combines technical leadership with people management—driving engineering excellence while developing and supporting a team of talented systems engineers.

• Lead, mentor, and develop a high-performing systems engineering team.
• Drive requirements management: capture, decomposition, allocation, traceability, and change control from concept through verification.
• Oversee system architecture definition, modeling, and interface control to ensure seamless integration across subsystems.
• Manage verification and validation planning, execution, and documentation in compliance with aerospace standards.
• Ensure rigorous configuration management, documentation control, and compliance with certification and regulatory requirements.
• Apply quality engineering practices, including defect tracking, root cause analysis, corrective/preventive actions, and lessons learned.
• Guide risk management, trade studies, and technical decision-making to optimize safety, reliability, and performance.
• Ensure adherence to aerospace systems engineering processes (V-model, DO-178/DO-254, ARP
  4754A) and support major design reviews (SRR, PDR, CDR, etc.).
• Define vision, goals, and expectations while fostering an inclusive, growth-oriented culture.
• Ensure quality and integrity of engineering deliverables across the system lifecycle.
• Collaborate closely with Engineering, Program Management, and Technical Leadership.
• Manage staffing, budgets, schedules, and project plans.

• Bachelors in STEM and 10+ years of systems engineering experience.
• Strong background in requirements definition, integration, and verification for aerospace systems (avionics, structures, mechanical, electrical, or interiors).
• Knowledge of systems engineering processes (V-diagram), requirements management tools, and milestone reviews (SRR, PDR, CDR, etc.).
• Proven leadership skills: team motivation, conflict resolution, mentoring, and leading through change.
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills.
• Self-motivated, adaptable, and capable of managing multiple priorities.

• Advanced degree in Systems Engineering.
• Experience with DOORS, CAMEO, ENOVIA, SysML, MBSE, or similar tools.
• INCOSE CSEP certification.
• Familiarity with aerospace quality and certification standards (AS9100, DO-178/254, ARP
  4754A, etc.).
• Strong systems architecting skills and big-picture mindset.
• Positive, proactive, and adaptable in dynamic environments.
• Commitment to mentoring and challenging the status quo.

The annual U.S. base salary range for this full-time position is $99,498.00–$. 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

Virgin Galactic is an aerospace and space travel company, pioneering human spaceflight for private individuals and researchers with its advanced air and space vehicles. We are making the dream of space travel a reality, delivering spaceflight at an unprecedented frequency, with the development of next generation space vehicles

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…