Entry-Level Launch Fluid Systems Engineer I | Flexible PTO

Firefly Aerospace; California; On-site; USD 94,000 - 107,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health, dental and vision plans

Parental leave

Educational reimbursement

Short term disability

Pet Insurance

Flexible PTO

Job summary

Firefly Aerospace is seeking a Launch Engineer I to join the Launch team in Austin, TX. You will assist senior fluids engineers with operation, maintenance, and testing of launch pad fluids and pneumatic systems, growing in scope as you gain hands‑on experience.

The ideal candidate holds a degree in mechanical or aerospace engineering and has 0–2 years’ experience; you will collaborate with design engineers, technicians, external partners, and site personnel to ensure system readiness for

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering, aerospace engineering or related engineering discipline.
• 0 - 2 years of hands‑on experience with fluids systems, pneumatic systems, mechanisms, hydraulic systems, tooling, flight hardware or test operations.
• Experience designing, building, troubleshooting and/or operating complex fluid or pneumatic systems in an operational or project environment.
• Ability to create and interpret engineering documentation including drawings, P&ID schematics and test data.
• Able to prioritize and execute tasks in a high pressure fast‑paced environment.
• Ability to self‑motivate and take the initiative to ensure your systems are functional and operating at peak performance.
• Ability to adapt to shifting project and/or scope change requirements.
• Ability to convey complex technical information clearly and concisely to technical and non‑technical audiences.
• Comfortable working in launch site environments with field testing, lifting equipment, and hazardous materials.

Responsibilities

• This is an entry level position that will assist the senior fluids engineers in the operation, maintenance and testing of the launch pad fluids and pneumatic systems.
• Participate in design reviews and collaborate with multidisciplinary teams — including design engineers, technicians, external partners, and site personnel — to drive fluids system upgrades, streamline operations, and validate system readiness and performance for launch campaigns.
• Support launch pad system and flight vehicle system integrity testing to validate system health, performance and readiness for launch campaigns.
• Lead troubleshooting efforts, resolve any issues and non‑conformances that arise during operations/testing, and support anomaly investigations
• Opportunities to perform launch console operations or launch day close out team activities
• Write procedures for system operation, maintenance, and vehicle testing operations.
• Develop and execute maintenance strategies that maximize system availability and minimize downtime between missions.
• Collaborate with customers, external stakeholders, and design teams to ensure interoperability and compliance with regulatory and range safety requirements.
• Provide technical write‑ups for systems upgrade proposals or tailoring of regulations.
• Ability to work with Fluids and Mechanical GSE team members with limited supervision to achieve project or testing objectives. Write work instructions and supervise the execution of field work in service of the launch pad fluid and pneumatic systems.

Skills

Fluids systems

Pneumatic systems

Engineering documentation

High-pressure environment

Education

Bachelor's degree in mechanical or aerospace engineering

Tools

P&ID schematics

Job description

Firefly Aerospace is seeking a Launch Engineer I to join the Launch team in Austin, TX. You will assist senior fluids engineers with operation, maintenance, and testing of launch pad fluids and pneumatic systems, growing in scope as you gain hands‑on experience.

The ideal candidate holds a degree in mechanical or aerospace engineering and has 0–2 years’ experience; you will collaborate with design engineers, technicians, external partners, and site personnel to ensure system readiness for