Project Manager IV- Launch

Firefly Aerospace; Cedar Park (TX); On-site; USD 120,000 - 190,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health, dental and vision plans

Parental leave

Educational reimbursement

Short term disability

Flexible PTO

Job summary

Firefly Aerospace is seeking an experienced Project Manager to drive the Alpha program across current and emerging launch sites. You will shape programmatic, technical, and legal aspects, coordinating internal disciplines to mature processes, ensure compliance, and improve cost efficiency for orbital launch.

The role requires leadership, cross‑functional collaboration, and strong communication, with up to 25% travel to domestic and international sites.

Qualifications

• Bachelor or higher in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering or related field.
• PMP certification or equivalent project management experience.
• 10+ years of project management in heavily regulated environments.
• 2+ years in detailed design or operations in aerospace/oil and gas/manufacturing.

Responsibilities

• Develop proposals and contract language at project onset and demonstrate value proposition to leadership.
• Identify revenue opportunities with Business Development input.
• Manage risks and safety analyses with cross‑functional teams to meet program requirements.
• Ensure timely execution of goals and ramp‑up schedules.
• Own system level requirements for hardware/software during project implementation.
• Construct and track budgets across projects; ensure alignment with priorities.
• Conduct feasibility studies and cost trades for new launch locations.
• Drive range safety compliance for launch campaigns at sites.
• Develop training programs for console positions and certify personnel.

Skills

Project management

Leadership

Communication

Risk analysis

Budgeting

Stakeholder management

Multi-disciplinary teamwork

Regulatory experience

Education

BS in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering

PMP certification

Tools

Jira

Confluence

Odoo

MS Office

Siemens NX

Teamcenter

Job description

Firefly Aerospace is a space and defense technology company on a mission to reliably and repeatedly launch, land, and operate space systems from Earth to the Moon and beyond. As the partner of choice for critical space missions, Firefly is the first commercial company to launch a satellite to orbit with 24‑hour notice and the first company to achieve a successful Moon landing. Headquartered in north Austin, Texas, Firefly is looking for passionate, hardworking innovators to join our team and help fuel our successful trajectory into space.

SUMMARY

Firefly is seeking an experienced individual to drive upcoming projects in support of our existing and emerging launch sites. As a Project Manager in the Launch team, you will drive and define the programmatic, technical, and legal landscapes necessary to make the Alpha program successful for Firefly and our customers across our current launch sites in Sweden, Wallops, Vandenberg, and other emerging opportunities. This position will leverage your creativity, organization, and leadership skills, pulling together a variety of internal disciplines to mature Firefly’s processes and procedures while driving compliance, sustainability and cost efficiency for orbital launch.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Develop proposals and contract language at project onset and demonstrate value proposition to leadership
• Identify revenue opportunities and provide proposal inputs in collaboration with the Business Development Team
• Manage risks and hazard analyses (O&SHAs, SSHA, SHA, etc.) with the engineering, software, operations, and test teams to ensure projects meet program requirements
• Ensure timely execution of company goals and successful implementation of ramp‑up schedule
• Own system level requirements associated with hardware/software during project implementation
• Construct, track, and maintain project related budgets and ensure spending aligns with company priorities
• Perform feasibility studies and cost trades for new launch locations
• Drive range safety compliance for launch campaigns at our existing and emerging launch sites
• Generate training programs for console positions during launch and implement tracking system for personnel certification
• Up to 25% domestic and international travel required

QUALIFICATIONS

• 5+ years of experience in project management, preferably on large industrial and multidisciplinary projects in heavily regulated environments
• 2+ years of detailed design or operations experience in Aerospace, Oil and Gas, Manufacturing, or other related industry
• Experience serving at a primary console position during orbital launch operations from a US federal range
• Working knowledge of launch vehicle and pad development engineering requirements
• Proficiency enforcing requirements in industry safety documentation (e.g. AFSPCMN 91-710 and GSFC-STD-8009) at an orbital launch facility
• Exceptional communication and presentation skills leveraging MS Office, Atlassian Products, Odoo, and associated plug‑ins
• Experience leading launch site development through activation and operations
• Demonstrated ability to track and improve program performance metrics
• Experience leading or contributing to multi‑disciplinary engineering teams
• Strong communication skills in technical work environments
• BS in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering, Project Engineering or Aircraft Operations (equivalent military or operations experience may meet education requirement)
• 10+ years of experience in project management, preferably on large industrial and multidisciplinary projects in heavily regulated environments
• 5+ years of detailed design experience in Aerospace, Oil and Gas, Manufacturing, or other related industry
• Familiarity with requirements tracking, Atlassian Confluence, Jira, Siemens NX, and Teamcenter
• Familiarity with FAA Part 450—Launch and Reentry License Requirements
• PMP certification or equivalent experience

Firefly offers outstanding benefits for our employees, including generous health, dental and vision plans with low plan deductibles, parental leave, 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.