Launch Engineer IV, Test and Launch Operations

Firefly Aerospace, Inc.

Texas

On-site

USD 120,000 - 180,000

Full time

15 hours ago

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Benefits offered by this job

Unlimited PTO

3-month sabbatical

Medical, dental, Vision insurance

Mental health services

Paid military leave

12 weeks maternity leave

4 weeks spouse leave

$20k family planning support

Dog-friendly workplace

Stock bonuses

401(k) matching

Home purchase assistance

Job summary

Firefly Aerospace, Inc. is seeking a Launch Engineer IV, Test and Launch Operations to lead development, execution, and continuous improvement of vehicle testing and launch operations across a growing portfolio of launch sites.

You’ll author procedures, drive cross-site efficiency, and collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to ensure reliable mission success. The role requires a Bachelor’s in engineering, 7+ years in launch/test operations, and the ability to travel up to 25%.

Qualifications

Bachelor's degree in mechanical, aerospace, electrical engineering, or related field.
7+ years hands-on experience in test or launch operations or similar high-consequence environments.
Experience developing systems engineering artifacts (requirements, test verification, FMECAs).
Experience developing automation sequences for hazardous, time-critical systems.
Comfortable in launch-site environments with heavy equipment and hazardous materials.
Ability to prioritize tasks in a fast-paced environment.
Willingness to support off-hour shifts during launches.

Responsibilities

Lead development of company processes and training for test and launch operations.
Develop and execute integrated test and launch operations at multiple sites including Briggs TX and Vandenberg, Wallops, and international locations.
Collaborate across teams to drive upgrades and standardized processes.
Lead troubleshooting and root-cause investigations.
Develop automation and operational software tools for launch execution.
Author procedures for launch pad configuration and propellant handling.
Provide program execution planning and budgeting support.
Travel up to 25% to test and launch sites.

Skills

Launch operations

Test operations

Systems engineering artifacts

Automation sequences

Hazardous materials handling

High-pressure execution

Communication to exec audiences

Budget & scheduling

Confluence/Jira experience

Education

Bachelor's degree in mechanical/aerospace/electrical engineering

System engineering fundamentals

Tools

Confluence

Jira

SVN/Bitbucket/Git

Job description

At Firefly, we’re focused on making space attainable for everyone – including you! Each team member’s passion, dedication, and innovative ideas have a direct impact on fueling our successful trajectory into space. And there’s no shortage of meaningful projects to work on at Firefly. With launch, lunar, and orbital vehicles, Firefly has a diverse line of business with opportunities to get hands‑on experience launching rockets, operating in space, and landing on the Moon.

Miranda is the most powerful engine in our ...

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Our Values

Headquartered in the Lone Star State, Firefly’s hardworking team reflects Texas’ GO BIG culture in everything we do. We build big, achieve big, and dream big. We’re building launch vehicles and spacecraft to provide rapid, reliable space access. We’ve achieved some incredible wins, including the first successful commercial Moon landing. And we’re dreaming bigger than this planet with ambitions to Mars, Venus, and beyond. Our core values are what drive us along the way.

Passion

Fireflies believe in perseverance, responsiveness, and mentoring others with a focus on inspiring a better future.

Accountability

Fireflies act with integrity and take ownership of our actions, commitments, decisions, and outcomes.

Fireflies work in alignment across teams and communicate clearly with mutual respect for one another.

Fireflies deliver high‑quality work through technical rigor and timely disciplined execution for our customers.

We take care of our Fireflies with some of the best benefits in the industry. Our mission to make space for everyone starts with our employees and allowing them to make space for their family, their career, and their future.

Space for You

Unlimited PTO for exempt employees
3-month sabbatical for every 5 years of service
Medical, dental, vision, life, and disability insurance
Mental health services
Paid military leave

Space for Your Family

12 weeks paid maternity leave
4 weeks paid spouse leave
$20k towards family planning: fertility, surrogacy, adoption
Dog friendly workplace

Space for Your Career

$10k/year towards trade school or college
Ongoing coaching to advance leadership skills

Employee-ownership with stock bonuses
4% Safe Harbor 401(k) matching
$10k bonus for home purchase in Cedar Park, Texas

Job Openings

From launch technicians to propulsion engineers, Firefly has open roles across the company. We’re looking for passionate, bright innovators to join our team and help make space an achievable dream for everyone.

Launch Engineer IV, Test and Launch Operations

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

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
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, 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.

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