Lead Launch Operations Engineer

Cedarparktexasedc; Cedar Park (TX); On-site; USD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

Educational reimbursement

Short term disability

Flexible PTO

Job summary

Firefly Aerospace is seeking a Launch Engineer - Operations to lead integrated test and launch operations for a growing portfolio of sites worldwide, including Wallops, Vandenberg, Cape Canaveral, and Esrange. You will design ground-system upgrades, write procedures, and drive cross-functional decisions to ensure safe vehicle launches.

The role requires on-console real-time experience, automation development, and collaboration with customers and partners across propulsion, avionics, structures,

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in mechanical, aerospace, electrical, or related engineering.
• 5+ years of hands-on experience in test operations, launch operations, or similar high-consequence environments.
• On-console experience in real-time operations.
• Experience developing automation sequences for hazardous, time-critical, or mission-critical systems.
• Proficiency in Python or MATLAB with demonstrated application to tooling, data analysis, or automation.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute integrated test and launch operations across a global launch portfolio.
• Lead design reviews and collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to drive ground-system upgrades and standardized processes.
• Commission ground systems and lead integrated vehicle/ground operations at the pad as an on-console operator.
• Lead troubleshooting and anomaly investigations during operations/testing.
• Own the development of automation sequences and operational software tools.

Skills

On-console ops

Python/MATLAB

Real-time ops

Automation scripts

Hazardous environments

Shift work

Education

Bachelor's in engineering

Master's preferred

Tools

SCADA systems

Confluence/Jira

Job description

Firefly Aerospace is seeking a Launch Engineer - Operations to lead integrated test and launch operations for a growing portfolio of sites worldwide, including Wallops, Vandenberg, Cape Canaveral, and Esrange. You will design ground-system upgrades, write procedures, and drive cross-functional decisions to ensure safe vehicle launches.

The role requires on-console real-time experience, automation development, and collaboration with customers and partners across propulsion, avionics, structures,