GSE Manufacturing Engineer I Verified today

Firefly Aerospace · Texas · Space Systems · first seen 2026-09-03

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. Headquartered in north Austin, Texas, Firefly was the first commercial company to launch a satellite to orbit with 24-hour notice and the first to achieve a successful Moon landing.

The Role

As a Ground Support Equipment (GSE) Manufacturing Engineer, you will coordinate the procurement and fabrication of hardware supporting all of Firefly's endeavors. The GSE Department designs and fabricates nearly all non-flight hardware for launch vehicles, spacecraft, and R&D, including launch sites, test stands, transport fixtures, manufacturing and assembly jigs, and payload integration systems.

You will work directly with senior leadership, engineers, welders, test technicians, purchasers, and contractors to facilitate high quality, cost-effective, and on-time GSE builds. You will leverage your knowledge of materials and fabrication techniques to drive simplicity, manufacturability, and operability into mechanical and fluid systems.

This position is located at Firefly's rocket manufacturing site in Briggs, TX, just north of Cedar Park.

Key Responsibilities

  • Own and improve the work order process to increase efficiency from drawing release through fabrication completion, including drawing review, material procurement, material organization and kitting, Non-Destructive Testing, assembly, proof testing, coating, and commissioning
  • Direct interaction with technicians to reconcile differences between design intent and as-built hardware
  • Perform make/buy decisions to meet project budget and schedule requirements
  • Establish, manage, and leverage relationships with key suppliers and internal customers
  • Participate in design reviews, providing feedback on design for operability, serviceability, and manufacturability
  • Create and maintain milestone-based schedules to communicate build progress to stakeholders
  • Identify and disposition potential non-conformances throughout the build lifecycle
  • Assist design engineers by creating material BOMs, creating RFQs, and managing virtual inventory

Required Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in Engineering or related technical field
  • 1-3 years of job experience (not including internships) in a manufacturing environment, working directly with welded structural assemblies, pipe and tube assemblies, large precision machines, and sheet steel bending and cutting
  • Knowledge of common NDE methods for weldments, including Fluorescent Dye Penetrant, Magnetic Particle, and Ultrasonic Methods
  • Experience with CAD software (Siemens NX preferred)
  • Experience with Odoo or other comparable ERP System
  • Organizational skills to consolidate and communicate progress on complex systems and deliverables
  • Knowledge of GD&T and familiarity with ASME Y14.5
  • Working knowledge of basic fluid system components such as valves, tubing, piping, and flanges
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills to convey methodologies for assembly and troubleshooting
  • Ability to read and interpret technical drawings and assembly instructions
  • Strong interpersonal and conflict resolution skills
  • Ability to thrive in high-stakes, stressful, short deadline environments
  • Critical thinking and strong decision-making ability

Desired Qualifications

  • Familiarity with AWS D1.1 and D17.1
  • Ability to lift 40 lbs
  • Experience working at outdoor job sites and on shop floors, directly with technicians and welders
  • Experience operating or working near mobile equipment such as forklifts and cranes
  • Lift and rigging experience

Employment Requirements

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.