Senior Technical Program Manager – Launch Site Quality & Production Operations

Firefly Aerospace; California, Northern (MO, KY); On-site; USD 180,000 - 216,000; Full time

Job summary

Firefly Aerospace is seeking a Senior Technical Program Manager to lead launch site quality and production operations. You will define quality baselines, build QMS frameworks at new launch sites, and guide cross-functional teams across engineering, operations, and regulators.

This role requires at least 3 years in aerospace mission assurance, experience with AS9100, range safety procedures, and a track record of establishing quality systems. Travel about 75% to sites across the US.

Qualifications

• 3+ years in aerospace mission assurance with focus on launch sites or flight campaigns.
• Experience writing or implementing procedures to clear Range Safety requirements.
• Proven experience building or scaling a QMS to AS9100 standards.
• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, or 7+ years of elite launch site quality experience in lieu of a degree.

Responsibilities

• Partner with launch engineering to establish quality baselines and build launch-site pipelines.
• Architect and implement a QMS framework at launch sites to support AS9100 certification.
• Lead quality management tasks across launch pads, including integration and closeouts.
• Oversee RCCA processes and ensure launch schedule reliability.
• Ensure compliance with range safety and regulatory requirements.

Skills

Aerospace mission assurance

QMS development

AS9100 knowledge

Launch site operations

Education

Bachelor’s degree in engineering

7+ years launch site quality experience in lieu of a degree

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