Launch Engineer IV- Fluid Systems

Firefly Aerospace; Briggs (TX); On-site; USD 140,000 - 210,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health, dental and vision plans

Educational reimbursement

Flexible PTO options

Job summary

Firefly Aerospace is seeking a senior Fluids/Mechanical GSE engineer to design, commission, and operate fluid systems across global launch sites. You will lead design reviews, coordinate with cross-functional teams, and drive maintenance strategies to maximize availability and on-time missions.

You will engage with customers and regulatory bodies, guide junior team members, and travel up to 25% to test sites, including dynamic environments from US pads to remote locations.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in mechanical or aerospace engineering or related engineering discipline.
• 7+ years hands-on experience with mechanical, propulsion, fluid systems or related test operations.
• Experience designing, troubleshooting, and/or operating complex fluid systems.
• Experience with interpretation and design of P&IDs.
• Experience with hazard and risk analysis tools (FMEA, HAZOP, etc.).
• Ability to prioritize tasks in a high- pressure, fast-paced environment.
• Ability to communicate technical information clearly to diverse audiences.
• Willingness to support off-hour shifts and travel up to 25%.

Responsibilities

• Design, build, and activate fluid systems across multiple launch sites.
• Lead design reviews and coordinate with multidisciplinary teams.
• Commission ground systems and lead pad operations.
• Lead troubleshooting and drive issue investigations during operations.
• Develop launch procedures and automations for pad configurations.
• Develop maintenance strategies to maximize system availability.
• Guide development of processes, guidelines, and training for launch ops.
• Collaborate with customers and stakeholders to meet safety and regulatory requirements.

Skills

Mechanical systems

P&ID interpretation

Hazard analysis (FMEA/HAZOP)

Project management

Vendor management

Effective communication

Launch-site field experience

High-pressure environment

Problem solving under pressure

Education

Bachelor's degree in mechanical or aerospace engineering

Master's degree (desired)

Tools

Confluence

Jira

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.

The position can be located in the following states CO, CA, TX, FL, VA.

Summary

The 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.

Responsibilities

• Design, 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 sites
• Commission ground systems and lead integrated vehicle/ground operations at the pad
• 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 red team activities
• Write procedures and automation for launch pad configuration, vehicle operations, and propellant/pressurant handling during countdown operations
• Develop and execute maintenance strategies that maximize system availability and minimize downtime between missions
• Lead development of company processes, guidelines, and training in test and launch operations
• Collaborate with customers, external stakeholders, and design teams to ensure interoperability and compliance with regulatory and range safety requirements
• Provide technical write-ups for proposals and tailoring of regulations
• Guide the work of early career Fluids and Mechanical GSE team members and support hiring efforts
• Requires up to 25% travel to test and launch sites to support overall program needs

Qualifications

Required

• Bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering, aerospace engineering or related engineering discipline
• 7+ years of hands-on experience with mechanical systems, structural systems, propulsion systems, fluid systems, flight hardware or test operations
• Experience designing, building, troubleshooting and/or operating complex fluid systems
• Demonstrated experience with interpretation and design of P&IDs
• Experience 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 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
• Willingness 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.)

Desired

• Master's degree in mechanical engineering, aerospace engineering or related engineering discipline
• Familiarity with data acquisition and control methods, and data analysis tools
• Demonstrated 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 clearance

Benefits

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, 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.