Launch Engineer IV, Test and Launch Operations

Firefly Aerospace; Briggs (TX); On-site; USD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Dental plan

Vision plan

Parental leave

Educational reimbursement

Short-term disability

Flexible PTO

Job summary

Firefly Aerospace in Austin, Texas, is seeking a high‑impact Vehicle and Launch Operations engineer to lead the development, execution, and continuous improvement of testing and launch operations across a growing portfolio of sites, including Briggs Test Stands in TX, Vandenberg, Wallops, and international launch sites.

You will author operational procedures, develop automation, perform console operations, and drive cross‑functional improvements that boost efficiency, reliability, and mission

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering field.
• 7+ years in test or launch operations.
• Experience creating system engineering artifacts.
• Experience with automated, hazardous systems.
• Willingness to travel up to 25%.

Responsibilities

• Lead development of test and launch ops processes.
• Execute integrated test/launch ops at Briggs TX, Vandenberg CA, Wallops VA, and international sites.
• Collaborate to standardize processes across sites.
• Lead troubleshooting and root-cause investigations.
• Develop automation and software tools to support launches.
• Write procedures for pad configuration and countdown operations.
• Develop and author operational requirements.
• Provide team and program execution planning.
• Support proposals and trade studies.
• Travel up to 25% to test sites.

Skills

Test operations

Launch operations

Systems engineering

Automation sequences

Hazardous environments

Project management

Education

Bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering

Tools

Confluence/Jira

SVN/Bitbucket/Git

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

The Vehicle and Launch Operations team is hiring high-impact, dynamic engineers who thrive on solving problems in diverse environments. This role will lead the development, execution, and continuous improvement of vehicle testing and launch operations across a growing portfolio of launch sites, including Wallops Flight Facility, Vandenberg Launch Site, and International Launch sites. A key focus will be integrating operations across subsystems and upstream processes to enable seamless execution from testing through launch. Responsibilities include authoring operational procedures, developing automation, performing console operations, and driving cross‑functional improvements that enhance operational efficiency, reliability, and mission success.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Lead development of company processes, guidelines, and training in test and launch operations
• Develop and execute integrated test and launch operations at Briggs Test Stands (TX), Vandenberg Space Force Base (CA), Wallops Flight Facility (VA), and International Launch sites
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to drive upgrades, efficiencies, and establish standardized processes across launch sites
• Lead troubleshooting efforts, resolve anomalies that arise during operations/testing, and lead root cause investigations
• Develop automation and operational software tools to support test and launch execution
• Author procedures for launch pad configuration, vehicle operations, and propellant/pressurant handling during countdown operations
• Develop and author operational requirements
• Provide team and program execution planning
• Proposal and trade study support
• 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, electrical engineering, or related engineering discipline
• 7+ years of hands‑on experience in test operations, launch operations, or similar high‑consequence operational environments
• Experience developing systems engineering artifacts (requirements, test verification evidence, FMECAs) and utilizing systems engineering tools
• Experience developing automation sequences and procedures for hazardous, time‑critical, or mission‑critical systems
• Comfortable working in launch site environments with field testing, heavy equipment, and hazardous materials
• Able to prioritize and execute tasks in a high pressure fast‑paced environment
• Willingness to support off‑hour shifts during launch operations

Desired

• System‑level understanding of launch vehicle and ground subsystems, including fluid systems, propulsion, avionics, structures, and software/controls
• Experience with distributed control systems or custom data acquisition and control architecture
• 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 or rocket engine or vehicle test site
• Ability to convey complex technical information clearly and concisely to technical and non‑technical audiences, including executive audiences
• Demonstrated project management experience
• Experience developing budgets and schedules, etc.
• Familiarity with Atlassian products (i.e., Confluence and Jira) and version control systems (i.e., SVN, Bitbucket, Git, etc.)

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.