Specialist Engineer, Loads & Dynamics

Virgin Galactic is seeking an experienced Loads & Dynamics specialist to join our multidisciplinary System Analysis organization. Guided by our values, "Safety Above All", we proactively manage the risks inherent in human spaceflight through our daily actions. Serve as the SME for Loads & Dynamics within the System Analysis team, owning technical depth in that domain while interfacing with adjacent disciplines across  this role, you will support flight test, structural analysis, model development, and dynamic behavior evaluation for our suborbital Spaceship, Launch Vehicle, and special ‑mission programs.

You will contribute directly to how our vehicles are analyzed, tested, and brought into commercial service; working in an environment that values collaboration across Aerodynamic, Thermal, External Loads, and Aeroelasticity disciplines.

Why This Role Is Unique

This position offers a rare combination of deep technical challenge, hands on involvement, and broad cross‑ disciplinary influence. As part of a unified System Analysis team, you'll work at the intersection of loads, dynamics, aeroelasticity, aerodynamics, and thermal, helping shape how these disciplines integrate across the full vehicle lifecycle. You will have direct impact on active flight‑ test campaigns, model development, and vehicle design decisions, with opportunities to see your work validated‑ through real data.

Beyond technical execution, this role provides room for leadership growth. You will help develop engineering standards, guide analytical strategy, mentor others, and contribute to shaping the future direction of Loads & Dynamics as our fleet and capabilities expand. This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced engineer who enjoys solving cross functional challenges and wants meaningful influence on both near‑ term vehicle performance and long‑ ‑term system architecture.

Maintain focus on timeliness and execution of tasks and deliverables every day.

Responsibilities

* Support development and validation of loads event simulations and loads criteria for suborbital and unconventional vehicle configurations

* Contribute to pre‑flight preparation including limitations review, test plans, procedures, readiness reviews, mission control support, and post‑flight analysis

* Collaborate cross functionally‑ to ensure proper application of loads and dynamic requirements across structures, aero, thermal, and design engineering

* Develop airframe and component static loads for structural design and qualification

* Establish dynamic loads for structural design such as Tuned and PSD Gust, dynamic landing, and store separation

* Support the entry into commercial service by ensuring internal and regulatory loads requirements are satisfied

* Build or modify dynamically representative Finite Element Models (FEM) using FEMAP

* Perform FEM updates and tuning using ground and flight test data as well as analytical tools

* Develop rational static and dynamic loads criteria for unique vehicle configurations

* Lead development of standardized analysis methods, tools, and reporting processes

* Provide technical leadership within Loads & Dynamics and across the engineering organization

* Mentor and coach team members, sharing best practices and elevating analytical capability

* Help define loads and dynamics scope for programs, coordinate work packages, and ensure high quality, on‑ ‑schedule deliverables

* Lead cross functional teams to resolve complex technical problems and advise engineering leadership on critical loads‑ related‑ risks and opportunities

* Work collaboratively to achieve goals and/or complete assigned tasks

Required Skills and Experience

* Bachelor's degree in engineering from an accredited institution with approximately 12+ years of relevant professional experience (advanced degrees may reduce experience requirement)

* Experience with flight and ground test planning, including test plan authorship, instrumentation selection, and data verification

* Expertise in dynamic model validation and correlation using test data

* Working knowledge of aircraft or spacecraft systems

* Experience with 6

DOF flight dynamics and trajectory simulation

*…