This role is responsible for ensuring all mission-critical facilities and building systems at Spaceport America are fully operational, safe, and ready to support the spaceflight program. The Technical Facilities Manager is a hands-on expert who has worked as a technician and has deep experience across mechanical, electrical, plumbing, HVAC, and general facility systems. The manager will execute and supervise maintenance activities, manage vendors, lead preventive maintenance programs, support launch-day readiness, and ensure the facility meets all regulatory, safety, and operational requirements.
This position is based in Truth or Consequences, NM, with daily presence at Spaceport America and occasional support for other New Mexico facilities.
Responsibilities
- Operational Readiness & Mission Support
- Own the day-to-day mechanical, electrical, plumbing, HVAC, structural, and general facility readiness to ensure launch and flight operations are never impacted.
- Perform real-time troubleshooting and corrective actions during operational windows, including quick-turn support for flight days.
- Conduct daily facility walkdowns with a focus on mission-critical systems readiness.
- Partner closely with Mission Operations, Safety, Engineering, and GSE teams to align facility status with operational schedules.
- Facilities Operations & Maintenance
- Oversee daily facility operations, maintenance, repairs, grounds, utilities, shop readiness, and safety.
- Perform technician-level tasks as needed (painting, carpentry, basic electrical/mechanical/HVAC/plumbing) to maintain operations and service levels.
- Lead/execute preventive maintenance programs for all building systems and critical infrastructure.
- Ensure hangars, workshops, warehousing, storage rooms, and mission-critical spaces are maintained to aerospace operational standards.
- Maintain and operate specialized systems including high-capacity HVAC units, compressed air systems, drinking water systems, industrial electrical distribution, fire/life-safety systems, and backup power generation.
- Process, Documentation & Compliance
- Develop, document, implement, and maintain facility SOPs, maintenance schedules, work orders, and checklists.
- Ensure compliance with NM state codes, FAA-impacted operations environments, OSHA, environmental regulations, and Spaceport America requirements.
- Drive improvements using 5S, PM optimization, and reliability-centered maintenance practices.
- Budget, Vendor, and Project Management
- Create and manage facility budgets, forecasts, capital requests, and cost-control measures; report KPIs.
- Manage contractors and vendors, including sourcing, bids, contracts, oversight, and invoice validation.
- Scope, plan, and execute small‑to‑medium capital projects, upgrades, and renovations, ensuring minimal operational disruption.
- Team Leadership
- Supervise and develop on-site technicians and contractors; conduct training and performance reviews.
- Provide clear communication, status updates, and recommendations to leadership, including mission‑support impacts.
Required Skills & Experience
- High school diploma required; technical certificate, trades qualification, or engineering degree preferred.
- 7+ years of facilities or maintenance experience with at least 3+ years as a senior technician or lead tech in industrial, aerospace, manufacturing, or mission‑critical environments.
- Demonstrated hands-on experience in mechanical, electrical, plumbing, HVAC, troubleshooting, and general facility systems.
- Proven ability to respond quickly to technical issues in operational environments (aviation, aerospace, industrial plant, utilities, etc.).
- Experience writing and maintaining SOPs, PM programs, and CMMS-driven work-order systems.
- Strong financial acumen including budgeting, vendor negotiations, and cost control.
Valid driver’s license; able to work onsite in T or C and remote desert environments daily.
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Preferred Skills & Experience
- Strong attention to detail, safety, and operational discipline.
- Comfortable working in a fast-paced operations environment with irregular schedules driven by flight cadence.
- Exceptional communication and collaboration with engineering, operations, mission control, and cross-functional teams.
- Customer-service and mission-oriented mindset; passionate about enabling safe, successful spaceflight.
#LI-LN1
The annual U.S. base salary range for this full-time position is $88,500.00–$134,850.00. 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 https://vgcareers.virgingalactic.com/global/en/benefits
Who We Are
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.
Export Requirements
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 Persons maintained by the Office of Foreign Assets Control. See list here.
EEO Statement
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, gender identity, national origin/ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, marital status, mental or physical disability or any other legally protected status.
Drug Free Workplace
Virgin Galactic is committed to a Drug Free Workplace. All applicants post offer and active teammates are subject to testing for marijuana, cocaine, opioids, amphetamines, PCP, and alcohol when criteria is met as outlined in our policies. This can include pre-employment, random, reasonable suspicion, and accident related drug and alcohol testing.
Phoenix Employment Requirements
For individuals seeking employment at our Phoenix Mesa Gateway Airport facility, employment is contingent upon you obtaining and maintaining a TSA authorized security badge. This includes initial and annual mandatory background checks that are governed by TSA, and conducted by the Phoenix Mesa Gateway Airport badging office.
