Virgin Galactic - Tustin, CA
posted 5 months ago
The Specialist Engineer within the Internal Loads Group of Virgin Galactic's Stress department will be responsible for tackling complex engineering challenges related to finite element modeling within the Stress discipline. This role involves the creation and curation of models, tools, methods, and guidelines that are essential for the design and substantiation of vehicles and equipment. The Specialist Engineer will directly support vehicle design, build, and flight test operations, ensuring that all engineering solutions meet the rigorous demands of a fast-paced, multi-disciplinary environment. Collaboration is key in this role, as the Stress Engineers will work closely with various other disciplines, including Flight Sciences, Structures Design, Maintenance & Operations, Manufacturing, Propulsion, and Flight Test teams. This collaboration is vital for providing design substantiation, test support, and operational assistance. In addition to technical responsibilities, the Specialist Engineer will be tasked with the proper creation and validation of vehicle-level global finite element models, as well as discrete breakout models. The role also includes the development of tools, macros, guidelines, and departmental documents that adhere to industry-standard finite element modeling and analysis requirements. The Specialist Engineer will play a crucial role in the workflow release process for structural design by generating guidelines and standardizing modeling and analysis techniques. Furthermore, this position involves leading small teams of engineers through various projects and assignments, performing structural analysis to ensure the integrity of components and systems, and mentoring junior team members to foster their professional growth.