Launch Operations Leader, VSFB Strategy & Ops

Frontdoor Defense; California; Hybrid; USD 145,000 - 175,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health, dental, vision plans

Educational reimbursement

Parental leave

Flexible PTO

Short-term disability

Job summary

Firefly Aerospace is seeking a Launch Operations Manager to lead the propulsion, fluids, electrical, and mechanical engineers at VSFB. The role focuses on operating, maintaining, and testing launch pad systems to ensure readiness for campaigns.

Based in California, you will guide cross-functional teams, drive system upgrades, and ensure safety/regulatory compliance throughout launch activities.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in mechanical or aerospace engineering or related discipline.
• 5+ years in fluids, pneumatics, mechanisms, hydraulics, electrical systems, tooling, flight hardware or test operations.
• 2+ years of managing personnel; ability to lead teams in high-pressure environments.
• Ability to interpret drawings, P&ID schematics and test data.
• Strong communication for cross-functional teams and stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Lead operation, maintenance and testing of launch pad fluids, pneumatic mechanical, and electrical systems.
• Facilitate hiring, training, and onboarding activities for the launch operations engineering team
• Guide design reviews and collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to drive system upgrades and readiness for launches.
• Support system integrity testing and readiness for launch campaigns.
• Lead troubleshooting, resolve issues and non-conformances during operations/testing.
• Perform launch console operations or launch day close out activities.
• Write procedures for system operation, maintenance, and vehicle testing.
• Develop and execute maintenance strategies to maximize system availability.
• Collaborate with customers and partners to ensure regulatory and range safety compliance.
• Provide technical write-ups for upgrade proposals and regulatory tailoring.

Skills

Fluids systems

Pneumatic systems

Mechanisms

Hydraulic systems

Electrical systems

Tooling

Flight hardware

Test operations

Leadership

Engineering documentation

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or Aerospace Engineering

Tools

SVN

Bitbucket

Python

LabView

Matlab

Job description

Firefly Aerospace is seeking a Launch Operations Manager to lead the propulsion, fluids, electrical, and mechanical engineers at VSFB. The role focuses on operating, maintaining, and testing launch pad systems to ensure readiness for campaigns.

Based in California, you will guide cross-functional teams, drive system upgrades, and ensure safety/regulatory compliance throughout launch activities.