Launch Engineer-Fluids Systems IV

Firefly Aerospace; Bertram (TX); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health, dental and vision plans

Parental leave

Relocation benefits

Educational reimbursement

Short term disability

Flexible PTO

Job summary

Firefly Aerospace is seeking an experienced Fluids/Mechanical Engineer to design, build, and operate ground systems for a global launch portfolio, including Vandenberg, Wallops, and Cape Canaveral. You will lead design reviews, troubleshoot pad operations, and develop maintenance strategies to maximize availability.

Willingness to travel up to 25% is required and security clearances may apply. The role requires a Bachelor's in mechanical or aerospace engineering with 7+ years in fluid/mechanical

Qualifications

• Degree in mechanical or aerospace engineering required.
• 7+ years hands-on experience with mechanical, propulsion or fluid systems.
• Experience designing, building, troubleshooting and operating complex fluid systems.
• Ability to interpret P&IDs and perform hazard analysis (FMEA, FHA, HAZOP).
• Strong task prioritization in a high-pressure environment; effective communication.
• Willingness to travel up to 25% to test and launch sites.

Responsibilities

• Design, build, and activate fluid systems across global launch sites.
• Lead design reviews with discipline teams and external partners.
• Lead ground operations at pad; troubleshoot and investigate anomalies.
• Write procedures for launch pad configuration and propellant handling.
• Develop maintenance strategies to maximize system availability.
• Guide early career team members and support hiring.
• Ensure regulatory and range safety compliance across sites.

Skills

Fluid systems design

P&ID interpretation

Project management

Regulatory compliance

Hazard analysis

Technical communication

Field operations

Education

Bachelor's in Mechanical Engineering

Bachelor's in Aerospace Engineering

Tools

Confluence

Jira

Data acquisition systems

Job description

ABOUT FIREFLY AEROSPACEFirefly Aerospace is a space and defense technology company that enables our world to launch, land, and operate in space – anywhere, anytime. As the partner of choice for critical space missions, Firefly is the only commercial company to launch a satellite to orbit with 24-hour notice and the only company to achieve a successful Moon landing. Our launch vehicles, lunar landers, and orbital vehicles provide government and commercial customers with full mission services from low Earth orbit to the Moon and beyond. Headquartered in north Austin, Texas, Firefly is looking for passionate, hardworking innovators to join our team and help fuel our successful trajectory into space.SUMMARYThe Launch Site Development team is hiring for high-impact, dynamic engineering positions for those who thrive on solving real problems in diverse environments. Design, commission, and operate mission-critical fluid systems across a growing portfolio of launch sites, from historical US-based pads to greenfield builds in extreme locations including Wallops Flight Facility and Esrange, Sweden. Take cradle-to-grave ownership of critical launch systems for cryogenic propellants, high-pressure gases, payload environmental control, and other ground support equipment. You'll work with world-class design and operations teams to create adaptable designs that deploy reliably across wildly different site conditions and constraints. Expect your work to matter immediately: concepts become hardware, installations support live operations, and the systems you build enable the next launch.RESPONSIBILITIESDesign, build, and activate new fluid systems across a global launch portfolio including Vandenberg Space Force Base (CA), Wallops Flight Facility (VA), Cape Canaveral Space Force Station (FL), and Esrange Space Center (Sweden)Lead design reviews and collaborate with multidisciplinary teams — including design engineers, technicians, external partners, and site personnel — to drive fluid system upgrades, streamline operations, and establish standardized processes across all launch sitesCommission ground systems and lead integrated vehicle/ground operations at the padLead troubleshooting efforts, resolve any issues and non-conformances that arise during operations/testing, and support anomaly investigationsOpportunities to perform launch console operations or launch day red team activitiesWrite procedures and automation for launch pad configuration, vehicle operations, and propellant/pressurant handling during countdown operationsDevelop and execute maintenance strategies that maximize system availability and minimize downtime between missionsLead development of company processes, guidelines, and training in test and launch operationsCollaborate with customers, external stakeholders, and design teams to ensure interoperability and compliance with regulatory and range safety requirementsProvide technical write-ups for proposals and tailoring of regulationsGuide the work of early career Fluids and Mechanical GSE team members and support hiring effortsRequires up to 25% travel to test and launch sites to support overall program needsQUALIFICATIONSRequiredBachelor's degree in mechanical engineering, aerospace engineering or related engineering discipline7+ years of hands-on experience with mechanical systems, structural systems, propulsion systems, fluid systems, flight hardware or test operationsExperience designing, building, troubleshooting and/or operating complex fluid systemsDemonstrated experience with interpretation and design of P&IDsExperience with hazard and risk analysis tools (i.e., FMEA, FMECA, FHA, HAZOP, etc.)Able to prioritize and execute tasks in a high pressure fast-paced environmentAbility to self-motivate and take the initiative to ensure your systems are functional and operating at peak performanceAbility to adapt to shifting project and/or scope change requirementsAbility to convey complex technical information clearly and concisely to technical and non-technical audiencesComfortable working in launch site environments with field testing, lifting equipment, and hazardous materialsWillingness to support off-hour shifts during launch operations (nights/weekends as needed)Demonstrated project management experience, including vendor management, ability to communicate with senior leaders, development of budgets and schedules, etc.Basic working knowledge of standards and regulations (ASME, NFPA, NEC, AFSPCMAN 91-710, NASA-STD-5005, GSFC-STD-8009, etc.)DesiredMaster's degree in mechanical engineering, aerospace engineering or related engineering disciplineFamiliarity with data acquisition and control methods, and data analysis toolsDemonstrated experience with standards and regulations (ASME, NFPA, NEC, AFSPCMAN 91-710, NASA-STD-5005, GSFC-STD-8009, etc.)Prior experience at a federal launch range (e.g., VSFB, CCSFS, KSC, WFF, PSC)Familiarity with Atlassian products (i.e., Confluence and Jira) and version control systems (i.e., SVN, Bitbucket, etc.)Ability to obtain a security clearancePrimary Level Salary Range:Firefly offers outstanding benefits for our employees, including generous health, dental and vision plans with low plan deductibles, parental leave, relocation benefits, educational reimbursement, short term disability, and flexible PTO options.To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) you must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the U.S., protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.Firefly Aerospace, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer; employment with Firefly is governed based on 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, gender identity, marital status, mental or physical disability or any other legally protected status.