Launch Engineer II, EGSE

Firefly Aerospace; Vandenberg Air Force Base Launch Facility 02 (CA); On-site; USD 110,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

Dental and vision plans

Parental leave

Relocation assistance

Educational reimbursement

Short term disability

Flexible PTO

Job summary

Firefly Aerospace seeks a Launch Engineer II to design data acquisition and control systems for launch operations. You will build, test, and commission electrical systems, and support pad readiness from concept through to launch.

The role requires a Bachelor’s in electrical/computer/aerospace engineering and 1–3 years in aerospace ground systems, with PLC/HMI and LabVIEW experience. US citizenship or eligible status is required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in electrical, computer, aerospace engineering or related field.
• 1-3 years of professional experience with data acquisition and control systems for aerospace ground systems or related facilities.
• Ability to create P&IDs, schematics, cause & effect charts, control narratives, instrument index.

Responsibilities

• Design data and control systems for the launch site, including I/O diagrams, wiring diagrams, and control panel layouts.
• Create and conduct in-house testing and development of equipment and software.
• Obtain and evaluate vendor quotations for instrumentation and electrical equipment.
• Work with launch personnel on checks, commissioning, and calibration of pad electrical systems.
• Design, develop, and test controls, communications, HMI, and PLC systems for electrical, mechanical, and fluid systems.
• Collaborate with operations to ensure regulatory and safety compliance, timely builds, and cost efficiency.
• Manage all aspects of controls and data acquisition installation, training, and commissioning.
• Perform launch site checkouts and support launch day operations.

Skills

Data acquisition and control systems

PLC programming

HMI systems

LabVIEW

MAX configuration

Data communication

Hazard and risk analysis

Education

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

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

Tools

National Instruments MAX

LabVIEW

PLC/HMI platforms

P&ID/schematics tools

Job description

ABOUT FIREFLY AEROSPACE

Firefly 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.

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, 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.