Launch Engineer, Operations II

Firefly Aerospace; Leander (TX); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; 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 capable engineer to lead integrated test and launch operations across a global launch portfolio. You will coordinate ground-system upgrades, write procedures, and support anomaly investigations as part of a highly connected team at multiple sites.

The role requires a Bachelor's in engineering, 2+ years in high-consequence operations, and experience with real-time on-console activities and automation. Occasional travel up to 25% is expected.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in mechanical, aerospace, or electrical engineering.
• 2+ years in test operations, launch operations, or similar high-consequence environments.
• On-console experience in real-time operations.
• Experience executing automation sequences and procedures for hazardous, time-critical or mission-critical systems.
• Proficiency in Python or MATLAB with demonstrated application to tooling or automation.
• Comfortable with field testing, heavy equipment, and hazardous materials.
• Willingness to support off-hour shifts during launch operations.
• Master's degree in related engineering (desired).
• Foundational understanding of launch vehicle and ground subsystems (fluid systems, propulsion, avionics, structures, software/controls).
• Experience with SCADA or data acquisition and control architectures.
• Experience with standards/regulations (ASME, NFPA, NEC, NASA-STD-5005, etc.).
• Experience at a federal launch range (VSFB, CCSFS, KSC, WFF, PSC) is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute integrated test and launch operations across a global portfolio (e.g., Vandenberg, Wallops, Cape Canaveral, Esrange).
• Lead design reviews with multidisciplinary teams to drive ground-system upgrades and standardize processes.
• Commission ground systems and support integrated vehicle/ground operations at the pad as an on-console operator.
• Support troubleshooting, resolve non-conformances, and lead anomaly investigations.
• Develop automation sequences and operational software tools to support launch execution.
• Write procedures for launch pad configuration, vehicle operations, and propellant handling.
• Participate in development of company processes, guidelines, and training for test and launch ops.
• Collaborate with customers and design teams to ensure regulatory and range-safety compliance.
• Travel up to 25% to test and launch sites as needed.

Education

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

Master's degree in mechanical engineering, aerospace engineering, or electrical engineering

Tools

Python

MATLAB

Confluence

Jira

Git

SCADA

Job description

ABOUT FIREFLY AEROSPACEFirefly 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.SUMMARYThe Launch Site Development team is hiring for high-impact, dynamic engineering positions for those who thrive on solving real problems in diverse environments. Lead the development and execution of mission-critical test and launch operations across a growing portfolio of launch sites, from historical US-based pads to greenfield builds, including Wallops Flight Facility and Esrange, Sweden. Take ownership of the integrated operations layer that ties every subsystem together. Write the procedures, build the automation, sit on console, and drive the cross-functional decisions that get vehicles off the pad safely. You'll work across every ground and vehicle subsystem, serving as the connective tissue between fluids, propulsion, avionics, structures, software, and ground systems teams.RESPONSIBILITIESDevelop and execute integrated test and launch operations 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 GSE design engineers, vehicle engineers, software teams, technicians, and external partners - to drive ground-system upgrades, streamline operations, and establish standardized processes across all launch sitesCommission ground systems and support integrated vehicle/ground operations at the pad as an on-console operatorSupport troubleshooting efforts, resolve any issues and non-conformances that arise during operations/testing, and lead anomaly investigationsContribute to the development of automation sequences and operational software tools to support test and launch executionWrite procedures for launch pad configuration, vehicle operations, and propellant/pressurant handling during countdown operationsParticipate in development of company processes, guidelines, and training in test and launch operationsCollaborate with customers, external stakeholders, and design teams to ensure interoperability and compliance with regulatory and range safety requirementsRequires up to 25% travel to test and launch sites to support overall program needsQUALIFICATIONSRequiredBachelor's degree in mechanical engineering, aerospace engineering, electrical engineering, or related engineering discipline2+ years of hands-on experience in test operations, launch operations, or similar high-consequence operational environments (e.g., oil & gas, nuclear, defense)On-console experience in real-time operationsExperience executing automation sequences and procedures for hazardous, time-critical, or mission-critical systemsProficiency in at least one programming language (Python, MATLAB, or similar) with demonstrated application to operational tooling, data analysis, or automationComfortable working in launch site environments with field testing, heavy equipment, and hazardous materialsWillingness to support off-hour shifts during launch operationsDesiredMaster's degree in mechanical engineering, aerospace engineering, electrical engineering, or related engineering disciplineFoundational understanding of launch vehicle and ground subsystems, including fluid systems, propulsion, avionics, structures, and software/controlsExperience with distributed control systems, SCADA platforms, or custom data acquisition and control architecturesExperience with hazard and risk analysis tools (i.e., FMEA, FMECA, FHA, HAZOP, etc.)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)Able to prioritize and execute tasks in a high pressure fast-paced environmentAbility to convey complex technical information clearly and concisely to technical and non-technical audiencesDemonstrated project management experience, including vendor management, ability to communicate with senior leaders, development of budgets and schedules, etc.Familiarity with Atlassian products (i.e., Confluence and Jira) and version control systems (i.e., SVN, Bitbucket, Git, etc.)Ability to obtain security clearancePrimary Level Salary Range: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.