Lead Launch Site Operations Engineer

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

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.