Launch Engineer II, EGSE

Firefly Aerospace; California; On-site; USD 110,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Firefly Aerospace seeks an experienced Controls and Instrumentation Engineer on the Launch Team. You will design data acquisition and control systems for launch site integration, test, and launch operations, owning the project from concept to deployment.

You will develop and test equipment, configure PLC/HMI platforms, and work with operations to ensure regulatory compliance, safety, and timely delivery. Prior aerospace experience is valued.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering, computer engineering, aerospace engineering or related engineering discipline.
• 1-3 years of experience with data acquisition and control systems for Aerospace ground systems, vehicle systems, or related facilities.
• Ability to create P&ID diagrams, schematics, cause & effect charts, control narratives, instrument index.
• Familiarity with NFPA, NEC, UL and ISA codes and electrical codes and requirements.
• Ability to build panels and electrical harnesses from drawings.
• Proficiency in PLCs and HMI configurations across multiple platforms.
• Experience with NI MAX for LabVIEW configuration and troubleshooting.

Responsibilities

• Design data and control systems for the launch site including I/O diagrams, instrument schedules, and panel wiring.
• Create and test in-house equipment and software.
• Obtain and evaluate vendor quotations for instrumentation and electrical equipment.
• Coordinate with launch personnel for checkouts, commissioning, and calibration of pad systems.
• Design, develop, and test controls, communications, HMI, and PLC systems for electrical, mechanical, and fluid systems.
• Ensure compliance with regulatory and safety requirements, timely equipment build, and cost efficiency.
• Manage all aspects of controls and data acquisition installation, including training and commissioning.
• Perform launch site checkouts and support launch day operations.

Skills

Data acquisition

Controls systems

PLC/HMI programming

LabVIEW MAX

Electrical design

Cableing & harnessing

NFPA/NEC/UL knowledge

Bus architectures

Hazard analysis (FMEA/FMECA)

P&ID diagrams

Education

Bachelor’s degree in electrical/computer/aerospace engineering

Master’s degree in related engineering

Tools

LabVIEW

MAX

GPIB/Serial/USB communication

Job description

ABOUT FIREFLY AEROSPACE

Firefly Aerospace is a space and defense technology company on a mission to reliably and repeatedly launch, land, and operate space systems from Earth to the Moon and beyond. As the partner of choice for critical space missions, Firefly is the first commercial company to launch a satellite to orbit with 24-hour notice and the first company to achieve a successful Moon landing. Headquartered in north Austin, Texas, Firefly is looking for passionate, hardworking innovators to join our team and help fuel our successful trajectory into space.

SUMMARY

Firefly Controls and Instrumentation Engineers on the Launch Team leverage their creative background and expertise to design data acquisition, controls, and automation systems used to support integration, test, and launch of Firefly vehicles. Controls and Instrumentation Engineers are responsible for the design, fabrication, installation, and maintenance of electrical systems for the Firefly launch team and must apply knowledge of electronic, mechanical, and fluid transport principles to ensure the communication of data is optimally configured. You will have full ownership of your project from the initial concept through all phases of project development. Additionally EGSE Launch Engineers function as a launch operators to support the testing and launch of the Alpha rocket, leveraging succinct communication skills in a fast paced team environment to achieve payload delivery to orbit.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Design data and control systems for the launch site including data and control I/O diagrams, instrument and control cable schedules, instrument loop diagrams, junction box wiring diagrams, control panel layout and wiring diagrams.

Create and conduct in-house testing and development of equipment and software

Obtain and evaluate vendor quotations for all required instrumentation and electrical equipment

Work with launch personnel in performing check outs, commissioning, and calibration of pad electrical systems

Design, develop, and test controls, communications, human-machine interface, and PLC systems for equipment involving electrical, mechanical, and fluid systems

Work with operations team to ensure compliance with all regulatory and safety requirements, timely build of equipment, and cost efficiency

Manage all aspects of controls and data acquisition installation, including design, personnel training, engineering support to launch technicians, and equipment commissioning

Performs launch site checkouts and support launch day operations

QUALIFICATIONS

Required

Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering, computer engineering, aerospace engineering or related engineering discipline

1-3 years of professional experience with data acquisition and control systems for Aerospace ground systems, Aerospace vehicle systems, Food and Beverage, or Oil and Gas facilities

Ability to create process flow diagrams (P&IDs, schematics, cause & effect chart, control narrative, instrument index)

Familiarity with NFPA, NEC, UL and ISA codes and electrical codes and requirements

Ability to assist in building of panels and electrical harnessing based off drawings

Proficiency in programming/configuring PLCs and HMI systems across multiple platforms

Experience with National Instrument Measurement & Automation Explorer (MAX) for configuring and troubleshooting devices for use with LabView

Working knowledge of multiple bus architectures (PCI/PCIe, PXI/PXIe, GPIB, Serial, USB, etc.) and data communication technologies

Experience with hazard and risk analysis tools (i.e., FMEA, FMECA, FHA, HAZOP, etc.)

Desired

Master’s degree in mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, computer engineering, aerospace engineering or related engineering discipline

3+ years of professional experience with data acquisition and control systems for Aerospace ground systems, Aerospace vehicle systems, Food and Beverage, or Oil and Gas facilities

The ability to mentor junior engineers and technicians on electrical systems

Familiarity with Industrial Ethernet and control specific networking protocols (i.e., ModbusTCP/RTU, RS-485, RS-232, Analog Communication)

Working knowledge of AFSPCMAN 91-710, NASA- STD-5005, GSFC-STD-8009, RCC 319/324, etc.

Launch Engineer II - $110,151.00 - $130,304.00

Firefly offers outstanding benefits for our employees, including generous health, dental and vision plans with low plan deductibles, parental leave, educational reimbursement, short term disability, pet Insurance, 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.