Launch Engineer IV, Test and Launch Operations

Firefly Aerospace; United States; On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health, dental and vision plans

Parental leave

Relocation benefits

Educational reimbursement

Short term disability

Flexible PTO

Job summary

Firefly Aerospace is seeking a senior engineer to lead development, execution, and continuous improvement of vehicle testing and launch operations across a growing portfolio of launch sites. You will drive integrated operations, collaborate with engineering teams, and enable seamless testing through launch.

The role requires 7+ years in test/launch operations, automation experience, and the ability to work in high-pressure environments with travel to sites in TX, CA, VA and internationally.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in mechanical, aerospace, electrical, or related engineering
• 7+ years in test or launch operations or similar high-consequence environments
• Experience developing systems engineering artifacts (requirements, test verification evidence, FMECAs)
• Experience developing automation sequences for hazardous, time-critical, or mission-critical systems
• Able to operate in launch sites with field testing, heavy equipment, and hazardous materials
• Ability to prioritize tasks in a high-pressure environment
• Willingness to support off-hour shifts during launches
• Familiarity with launch vehicle and ground subsystems concepts and standards

Responsibilities

• Lead development of company processes, guidelines, and training in test and launch operations
• Develop and execute integrated test and launch operations at multiple sites (TX, CA, VA, international)
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to drive upgrades and standardized processes across launch sites
• Lead troubleshooting and root cause investigations of anomalies in operations and testing
• Develop automation and operational software tools to support test and launch execution
• Author procedures for launch pad configuration, vehicle operations, and propellant handling during countdowns
• Develop and author operational requirements and provide program execution planning
• Support proposals and trade studies
• Travel up to 25% to test and launch sites as needed

Skills

Systems engineering

Project management

Automation sequences

High-pressure environment

Budgets & schedules

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in mechanical, aerospace, electrical or related engineering

Tools

Confluence

Jira

SVN

Bitbucket

Git

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

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

• 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.)

BENEFITS

• Generous health, dental and vision plans with low plan deductibles
• Parental leave
• Relocation benefits
• Educational reimbursement
• Short term disability
• Flexible PTO options

REGULATIONS & EQUAL OPPORTUNITY

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.