SpaceWrench 3 (A&P Mechanic)

Spacewrench (A&P Mechanic)

Virgin Galactic is seeking a talented and motivated Spacewrench (A&P Mechanic) to be a part of our Flight Maintenance team to support our mission. Guided by our values, "Safety Above All", we proactively manage the risks inherent in human spaceflight through our daily actions in the design, developing and testing efforts. Establish and share the vision towards a common goal while holding self and others accountable.

As a Spacewrench, you will be maintaining, repairing, and inspecting all parts of the aircraft. You are responsible for returning an aircraft to service through assigned preventative and reparative work.

Work Schedules Available:

• 4/10 Onsite Monday through Thursday Day Shift (6:00am 4:30pm)
• 4/10 Onsite Monday through Thursday Night Shift (4:00pm 2:30am)
• 4/10 Onsite Thursday through Sunday Day Shift (6:00am 4:30pm)

Work Location & Temporary Assignment Requirements:

We are hiring this role in Las Cruces (Truth or Consequences), NM on a full-time basis, however, for the first 6 to 11 months of employment, you will be required to be based in Mesa, AZ on a temporary assignment at our Spaceship Factory supporting our manufacturing team building Spaceships. During your temporary assignment, Virgin Galactic will pay for all living and travel expenses. At the end of your assignment, you will go back to your full-time location to maintain and operate our vehicles during flight operations in Las Cruces (Truth or Consequences), NM. Relocation assistance available to move to Las Cruces, NM area.

Responsibilities:

• Aids with the development of maintenance manual definitions for vehicle systems and structures.
• Assists with the spaceline General Maintenance Manual (GMM) development and definition.
• Supports the training program definition with direct input of hands-on knowledge from the vehicles via different mediums as appropriate.
• Accepts responsibility for accomplishing assigned maintenance, preventive maintenance, and repair work on the space flight system vehicles.
• Checks, dismantles, adjusts, overhauls, repairs, fabricates, removes and installs all parts of the aircraft, including propulsion systems (turbine & rocket), avionics equipment & instruments, fuel systems, Environmental Control Subsystem (ECS) systems, life support systems, mechanical systems and hydraulic systems.
• Performs machine tool work and or composite repair work in connection with the above mechanic maintenance work.
• Returns an aircraft back to service after maintenance has been performed as allowed by the spaceline GMM and the privileges of the airframe and powerplant license.
• Completes and signs work records in connection with work performed. Inspects parts, sub-assemblies and completed assemblies only to the extent necessary to determine, accomplish and approve own work.
• Works on base maintenance type workloads for the spaceline vehicles. You may be asked to perform other related duties and projects as business needs require at direction of management.

Required Skills and Experience:

• High school diploma or equivalent with at least 3 years' experience in a related field.
• Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) approved Airframe and Powerplant license (A&P license).
• Qualified to obtain Air Operations Area (AOA) access.
• Strong safety forward thinking: practice good housekeeping, tool control, recognizing the importance of properly handling hazardous materials, and chemicals.
• Experience with life support systems (crew and passenger).
• Familiarity with procedures applicable to the various phases of aircraft maintenance.
• Proactive, strategic and detail-oriented approaches with a strong commitment to safety, quality, efficiency and effectiveness.
• Ability to communicate effectively in a culturally sensitive manner with both individuals and groups.
• Knowledge of the proper use and importance of personal protective equipment (PPE).

Preferred Skills and Experience:

• 5 years of line maintenance experience
• Certifications or similar within the aerospace, aviation or automotive industry.
• Experience on narrow body and/or business jet aircraft preferred.
• Experience with composite aircraft preferred (commercial or military aerospace application).
• Preferred experience with rocket systems and associated solid and/or liquid propellants.
• Graduate of a technical college or other recognized apprenticeship.

Physical Requirements:

• Availability to work all shifts and overtime, including weekends, when needed.
• Travel 25% or more of the time and be on call as needed.
• Must be able to remain in a stationary position 8 hours minimum.
• Able to maneuver in tight spaces through positioning self by stooping, bending, crawling 3 hours minimum.
• Physically able to handle items weighing up to fifty (50) pounds (unassisted).