Network Engineer III

Firefly Aerospace; Briggs (TX); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health, dental and vision plans

Relocation benefits

Educational reimbursement

Short term disability

Flexible PTO

Job summary

Firefly Aerospace in Briggs, Texas, seeks a Network Engineer to design, implement, and secure mission-critical networks connecting test stands, launch ops, and enterprise systems. You’ll ensure telemetry flows, commands reach destinations, and uptime remains high during launch campaigns.

The role is 100% onsite in Briggs, TX, requiring hands-on expertise with campus to WAN networks, firewalls, and automation tooling.

Qualifications

• 5+ years designing, monitoring, and troubleshooting campus to WAN networks.
• Deep knowledge of LAN/WAN tech, routing, switching, QoS, security, traffic flow analysis, BGP, OSPF, VXLAN, and automation.
• Experience with automation and scripting tools (Ansible, Python).
• Experience with Cisco/Juniper/Arista gear and Palo Alto firewalls.

Responsibilities

• Design, implement, and troubleshoot network solutions based on business needs.
• Manage network projects, upgrades, migrations, and provide technical direction.
• Design and maintain firewall rules, ensure FIPS-compliant security.
• Identify and implement network improvements for resilience and performance.
• Conduct regular network assessments and plan upgrades.
• Collaborate with IT to develop network services and automation scripts.
• Collaborate with engineering teams to design solutions for Launch and Spacecraft operations.
• Create and maintain network environment documentation and procedures.
• Prepare reports outlining findings and proposed solutions.

Skills

WAN/LAN design & troubleshooting

Routing & switching (BGP OSPF)

Network security & firewall

Network automation (Ansible, Python)

Network monitoring (PRTG Zabbix Graf)

Vendor hardware (Cisco Juniper Arista)

Communication & collaboration

Education

Bachelor’s degree in CS/IT or equivalent

CCNP/CCIE preferred

Tools

Ansible

Python

Cisco

Juniper

Arista

Palo Alto

PRTG

Zabbix

Grafana

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.

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.

About This Role

The Network Engineer is responsible for the digital infrastructure that connects mission control to launch pads or test stands, engineering teams to spacecraft, and our entire enterprise to the stars and beyond. This isn't just about keeping networks running — it's about ensuring that when our rockets ignite and our spacecraft separate, every bit of telemetry flows flawlessly, every command reaches its destination, and every mission‑critical system stays online. This role supports infrastructure and operations where downtime or poor performance could mean mission failure.

The ideal candidate is someone who thrives under pressure, thinks strategically about resilience and security, and understands that rockets and spacecraft don’t get a free second attempt.

This position will be 100% onsite at our test and manufacturing location in Briggs, Texas.

Key Responsibilities

• Design, implement, and troubleshoot network solutions based on business requirements.
• Manage network projects, including upgrades and migrations, providing technical direction and user support.
• Design, implement, maintain, and troubleshoot firewall rules for network security, ensuring FIPS compliance.
• Identify, propose, and implement improvements to network architecture to increase resilience and performance.
• Conduct regular network assessments and plan necessary upgrades.
• Collaborate with IT teams to develop and implement network services and automation scripts.
• Collaborate with engineering teams to design and deliver network solutions for Launch and Spacecraft vehicles to support critical mission operations.
• Create and maintain documentation of the network environment and operational procedures.
• Prepare reports and documentation outlining findings and proposed solutions.

Requirements

• 5+ years of experience in designing, monitoring, and troubleshooting campus, datacenter, and WAN networks.
• Extensive knowledge of network protocols, including LAN/WAN technologies, routing, switching, QoS, network security, traffic flow analysis, BGP, OSPF Routing, VXLAN, and network automation.
• Experience with automation and scripting tools (e.g., Ansible, Python).
• Expertise with network infrastructure hardware and software (e.g., Cisco, Juniper, Arista).
• Proficiency in firewall configuration and network security protocols (e.g., Palo Alto).
• Experience with network monitoring systems (e.g., PRTG, Zabbix, Grafana).
• Strong communication and collaboration skills in a fast-moving, dynamic work environment.
• Excellent problem-solving and analytical skills.
• Ability to resolve mission‑critical, high‑risk issues quickly.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in computer science, Information Technology, or equivalent experience.
• Professional certification (e.g., CCNP, CCIE).
• Experience with AWS network infrastructure.
• Experience with Industrial Network devices and infrastructure.
• Familiarity with Docker or Kubernetes.
• Familiarity with virtualization technologies.
• Familiarity with Microsoft Windows Server and Linux.
• Familiarity with agile/scrum methodologies.
• Understanding of FIPS compliance requirements.

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.