Program Director - Aerospace Ground Equipment

Company: Virgin Galactic Holdings, Inc.
Location: Tustin
Posted on: June 18, 2022

Job Description:

Who we are

Virgin Galactic, www.VirginGalactic.com (NYSE: SPCE), recognizes that the answers to many of the challenges we face in sustaining life on our beautiful but fragile planet, lie in making better use of space. Sending people to space has not only expanded our understanding of science, but taught us amazing things about human ingenuity, physiology, and psychology. From space, we are able to look with a new perspective both outward and back. From space, the borders that are fought over on Earth are arbitrary lines. From space, it is clear that there is much more that unites us than divides us.

"We are at the vanguard of a new industry determined to pioneer twenty-first century spacecraft, which will open space to everybody - and change the world for good." -Sir Richard Branson, Founder, Virgin Galactic

If you are looking for a challenging opportunity that will ignite your passion for designing cool and innovative products, are exceptionally creative, are a great problem solver and can make things happen - apply today!

Your Mission

As a Program Director, responsible for Aerospace Ground Equipment, you will be responsible for planning, integration, and execution of programs/projects ensuring successful development, validation, verification and transition into service of Aerospace Ground Equipment for all vehicles in our Space Flight System fleet. You will be the leader of the Integrated Product Team for Aerospace Ground Equipment on the various vehicle Program Teams as well as Operational Team supporting Missions and Safety. The vehicles, in the Space Flight System fleet, include Spaceship 2 (VSS Unity), Spaceship 3 (VSS Imagine/Inspire), Spaceship Delta and Motherships (VMS Eve). The establishment and integration of the Aerospace Ground Equipment team in to these vehicle programs will require leadership through all phases of the life cycle including vehicle build/manufacturing and readiness for Entry Into Commercial Service. Your responsibilities wlll include the development and deployment of Program Management processes and tools in collaboration with the Program & Business Operations Team. In addition, you will be accountable for leading the development of program plans, including baselining, and execution within the approved baseline cost, schedule, and scope. This includes accountability for developing a cross functional team to ensure programs are executed in accordance with the gated product life cycle and Program Management processes ensuring the achievement program and business goals.

* Develop and maintain a detailed program plan or Integrated Master Schedule which is aligned with the vehicle programs and related program planning and control tools for all products in the portfolio
* Execute the approved projects/programs with accountability for cost, scope, and schedule against the approved program baseline and provide program updates as required by the executive team
* Develop and lead risk management process including proactively maintaining and tracking program risks and opportunities and providing mitigation plans as needed
* Leveraging your experience to help the Virgin Galactic team develop and deploy program processes aligned with Program Management best practices
* Regularly report to executive leadership, internal and external customers, and the wider organization the team's performance in the areas of quality, scope, cost, and schedule
* Develop and lead a team of Program Managers dedicated to transforming and scaling the first Spaceline for Earth

Job Responsibilities:

* Lead by example through Virgin Galactic's values, communicating with respect in a straight-up way fostering transparent, and open communication.
* Apply technical and functional expertise coupled with leadership skills, program management tenacity with an unwavering commitment to quality of work products and the evolution of our tool kit, ensuring the successful advancement of human spaceflight
* Ability to develop the framework and construct that enables detailed program planning create the roadmap to successful execution, including the development and management of leading program indicators
* Work with other company leaders in engineering, manufacturing, and support organizations to gather history and experience to inform project planning and steering
* Review detailed development, engineering and manufacturing plans and ensure cross functional integration and alignment
* Proactively maintain and track program risks and opportunities and provide mitigation plans as needed
* Regularly report to executive leadership and the broader organization the projects status and performance
* Build and develop an Integrated Product Team (IPT) that supports the portfolio, including crafting and implementing an appropriate operating system to support and ensure program execution
* Assign and prioritize projects/program within the portfolio
* Experience managing supplier program performance as part of the integrated team
* Lead program reviews, including Integrated Baseline Reviews (IBR), Variance Reviews/Reporting, Monthly Program Management Reviews and others as required.

What you bring

* Minimum of a Bachelor's degree in Engineering or technical discipline from an accredited institution
* 10+ years of industry experience in progressive technical and leadership roles
* Energetic, passionate and organized program leader ready to lead a project through the full lifecycle
* Experience with Aerospace Ground Equipment or Ground Support Equipment development and deployment
* Demonstrated success managing aerospace projects ideally with a focus on Supplier Project Management.
* Experience providing leadership and management for multidisciplinary teams of engineering, manufacturing, and business support personnel
* Experience with complex supply chain management, production of aerospace vehicles, and component manufacturing
* Able to manage multiple tasks simultaneously and thrive in a complex product development environment with multiple priorities as well as a disciplined production setting
* Experience with logic linked scheduling, Cost Account Management, budget management, and reporting
* Experience with IMP/IMS, risk management, configuration management, requirements management processes
* Understanding of Produce Lifecycle Management, Configuration Management, Configuration Control, ERP and MRP systems.
* Ability to manage multiple tasks simultaneously and thrive in a complex environment with multiple priorities as well as a disciplined flight operations setting.
* Excellent verbal and written communication, excellent computer skills including Microsoft Word, Excel, Project and PowerPoint.
* Execute strategic goals and objectives in support of the overall company goals and objectives.
* Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with a high attention to detail.
* Team player with excellent organizational and interpersonal skills.
* Preferences:
* PMP Certification
* Masters Degree
* Primavera (P6) Experience
* Six Sigma Training and Certification



ITAR Requirements

To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, applicant must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the U.S., protected individual as defined by ITAR (22 CFR 120.15) or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.

As part of our commitment to health and safety, COVID-19 vaccines are required for current U.S. teammates, as well as all newly hired employees.

As of October 1, 2021, all new hires must be able to provide proof that they are fully vaccinated against the COVID-19 virus, ( "fully vaccinated" means at least two weeks have expired since receiving the vaccination's last dose as recommended by the manufacturer) . If you are offered employment, this requirement must be met by your date of hire.

Virgin Galactic is an Equal Opportunity Employer; employment with Virgin Galactic is governed on the basis of merit, competence and qualifications and will not be influenced in any manner by race, color, religion, gender, national origin/ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, marital status, mental or physical disability or any other legally protected status.

Keywords: Virgin Galactic Holdings, Inc., Tustin , Program Director - Aerospace Ground Equipment, Executive , Tustin, California