Senior Technical Program Manager – Launch Site Quality & Production Operations

Firefly Aerospace; California; On-site; USD 180,000 - 216,000; Full time

Job summary

Firefly Aerospace is seeking a Senior Technical Program Manager for Launch Site Quality to build the quality foundation for new launch sites and guide the transition from construction to production.

You will establish QMS frameworks, drive AS9100 readiness, manage RCCA for live launches, and coordinate with launch operations, engineering, and regulators. Travel about 75% with relocation assistance.

Qualifications

• Minimum 3+ years in aerospace mission assurance.
• Experience establishing and scaling QMS frameworks.
• Proven ability to navigate AS9100 and regulatory requirements.

Responsibilities

• Partner with launch engineering to establish quality baselines and infrastructure at new launch sites.
• Architect and implement the QMS framework at the launch site for AS9100 readiness.
• Lead RCCA processes for live production non-conformances and ensure launch schedule reliability.

Skills

Aerospace mission assurance

Quality management system

AS9100 readiness

Education

Bachelor's degree in engineering

Job description

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Senior Technical Program Manager – Launch Site Quality & Production Operations

As a Senior Technical Program Manager (TPM) of Launch Site Quality, you will establish the foundational blueprint for launch site mission assurance. This is a pioneering role focused on assisting and leading multi-faceted quality activities from the ground up. You will actively drive the build, infrastructure activation, and implementation of various rocket launch sites. As production scales, you will transition to managing the daily technical operations and quality execution of live vehicle launch campaigns. You will serve as a cross-functional bridge, partnering with launch operations, engineering, and regulatory bodies to transition complex aerospace infrastructure from construction into a reliable, certified production state.

Location: Vandenberg, CA launch sites or Austin, TX metro area (Relocation Assistance available).

Travel Expectation: Approximately 75% initially. This will fluctuate depending on launch status and new site standups. Major locations include Southern California, Virginia, and potential sites.

Classification: Full-time, Exempt.

Key Responsibilities

Partner closely with launch engineering teams to establish quality baselines, build pipelines, and infrastructure at brand-new launch sites. Architect and implement the quality management system (QMS) framework directly at the launch site to prepare facilities for successful AS9100 certification. Act as a technical trailblazer to define, document, and scale Program Quality roles, responsibilities, and procedural requirements across emerging test stands and integration facilities.

Transition completed sites into active production states, leading tactical, hands-on quality management tasks at the launch pad. Oversee hardware and vehicle integration, final pad closeouts, fueling system verification, and post-flight quality data reviews. Lead rigorous Root Cause Corrective Action (RCCA) processes to resolve live production non-conformances and ensure launch schedule reliability.

Author, implement, and enforce the quality procedures, hazard analyses, and verification methods necessary to satisfy strict range safety protocols. Maintain rigorous alignment with federal and commercial requirements, ensuring compliance frameworks meet or exceed AFSPCMAN 91-110, RCC 319, or FAA Part 450 regulations.

Required Qualifications

Experience: Minimum 3+ years in aerospace mission assurance. A significant portion must be dedicated to active launch site operations, test environments, or flightline campaigns. Included is Direct technical experience writing or implementing procedures to clear Range Safety requirements.

Proven track record building, implementing, or scaling a QMS framework from the ground up to meet AS9100 standards. Bachelor’s degree in an engineering discipline, OR 7+ years of verified, elite-level launch site quality experience in lieu of a degree.

Preferred Qualifications

Pioneering Track Record: Experience acting as a foundational quality engineer or "first-hire" during an early-stage commercial launch vehicle campaign with strong hands-on understanding of complex aerospace hardware systems, including fluids (cryogenics, high-pressure gas), ordnance handling, and flight avionics integration.

Audit Expertise: Active or prior experience acting as a lead auditor for AS9100 registrar evaluations.

Senior Technical Program Manager - $180,000 - $216,000