Test Engineer I, Component

Firefly Aerospace; Briggs (TX); On-site; USD 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health, dental and vision plans

Parental leave

Educational reimbursement

Short term disability

Pet Insurance

Flexible PTO

Job summary

Firefly Aerospace in Briggs, TX is seeking a Level I Test Engineer to advance test execution and stand development. You will work with responsible engineers across programs to test hardware and develop test infrastructure, including mechanical, electrical, and software support on the Component Test Stand.

The role emphasizes hands-on field work, fast-paced problem solving, and collaboration in a multidisciplinary team. 2nd shift availability and strong communication skills are required.

Qualifications

• BS in Engineering or related engineering discipline.
• Typically 0-2 or more years of relevant engineering experience in testing, operations, manufacturing, integration, launch operations, or a related technical environment.
• Demonstrated experience executing engineering work in a hands‑on operational environment.
• Independent, driven and able to develop solutions with minimal guidance and oversight.
• Works well in a collaborative multidisciplinary environment with exceptional verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to read, understand, and develop P&IDs.
• Exceptional comprehension of engineering fundamentals – particularly fluid dynamics and basic electronics.
• Experience with 3D and 2D CAD software.
• Ability to lift 50 pounds and to be on your feet all day when required.
• Ability to work on test stands and use standard mechanical and electrical tools.
• Must be able to work 2nd shift up to 50% of the time.

Responsibilities

• Work with RE’s to develop test procedures and execute test plans on console for a wide range of valves, mechanisms, COPV’s, and other aerospace components.
• Integrate test articles into our existing fluid and data systems to hit required pressures, temperatures, and data measurement requirements.
• Design and develop automated scripts to streamline test operations.
• Identify and execute improvement opportunities for the test stand and our processes to increase operational cadence and reliability.
• Analyze and review data to ensure that hardware is operating as expected utilizing numerical data analysis tools to interpret test results.
• Participate in resolving any issues and non‑conformances that arise during operations, and support failure and anomaly investigations, troubleshooting and resolution development.
• Ensure all operations are performed on time, safely, and in a professional manner.
• Develop and execute system validations, activations, upgrades and other tests required to ensure your stand is ready to support testing.

Skills

Hands-on testing

Collaborative

Verbal & written communication

P&IDs reading

Education

Bachelor's in Engineering

Tools

CAD software

Data Acquisition Systems

Instrumentation

Job description

About Firefly Aerospace

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.

This position is located at our manufacturing and test facility in Briggs, TX, north of Cedar Park.

Summary

This Level I position is for an engineer who has developed a foundation in aerospace testing, operations, or a related engineering environment and is ready to take greater ownership of test execution and test system development. Test Engineer II’s applying for this role can expect to work on Firefly's Component Test Stand. Test Engineers partner with responsible engineers from across all programs (Alpha, A330/MLV, Blue Ghost and Elytra) and across the company to test and validate hardware in the pursuit of developing, qualifying, and accepting flight components. Firefly is a new aerospace company, full of creative and talented people, and the engineers in Launch and Test are the where the “Lox hits the TEA-TEB”. Engineers on this team are responsible for not just partnering with their fellow engineers to hash out plans to test components to their flight‑like limits, but also developing the required infrastructure, mechanical, electrical and software, to support these tests. Engineers are expected to be fast on their feet, adaptive and responsive to challenges. They are expected to be in the field, working in hands on and time sensitive applications. Operations Engineers are expected to be self‑sufficient, driven and highly motivated engineers up for learning new skills and taking on challenges to excel.

Responsibilities

• Work with RE’s to develop test procedures and execute test plans on console for a wide range of valves, mechanisms, COPV’s, and other aerospace components
• Integrate test articles into our existing fluid and data systems to hit required pressures, temperatures, and data measurement requirements
• Design and develop automated scripts to streamline test operations
• Identify and execute improvement opportunities for the test stand and our processes to increase operational cadence and reliability
• Analyze and review data to ensure that hardware is operating as expected utilizing numerical data analysis tools to interpret test results
• Participate in resolving any issues and non‑conformances that arise during operations, and support failure and anomaly investigations, troubleshooting and resolution development
• Ensure all operations are performed on time, safely, and in a professional manner
• Develop and execute system validations, activations, upgrades and other tests required to ensure your stand is ready to support testing

Qualifications

Required

• BS in Engineering or related engineering discipline
• Typically 0-2 or more years of relevant engineering experience in testing, operations, manufacturing, integration, launch operations, or a related technical environment
• Demonstrated experience executing engineering work in a hands‑on operational environment
• Independent, driven and able to develop solutions with minimal guidance and oversight
• Works well in a collaborative multidisciplinary environment with exceptional verbal and written communication skills
• Ability to read, understand, and develop P&IDs
• Exceptional comprehension of engineering fundamentals – particularly fluid dynamics and basic electronics
• Experience with 3D and 2D CAD software
• Ability to lift 50 pounds and to be on your feet all day when required
• Ability to work on test stands and use standard mechanical and electrical tools
• Must be able to work 2nd shift up to 50% of the time

Desired

• Fluid System testing, preferably with high pressure gas, water, and cryogenics (highly desired)
• Aerospace testing including launch and test operations
• Deep understanding of Data Acquisition Systems, instrumentation, and the connections between the two
• Ability to design and fabricate basic structures
• Able to prioritize and execute tasks in a high pressure fast‑paced environment
• Data analysis and processing up to and including custom code development and implementation

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, pet Insurance, 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