Instrumentation & Controls Engineer III-Ground Systems Verified today

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 company to achieve a successful Moon landing.

The Role

Join Firefly's Ground Systems team as a Level III Instrumentation & Controls Engineer and become the technical authority for the systems that make launch, orbit, and landing possible. You will architect complete control system solutions from concept through commissioning, lead small technical teams of 1-2 engineers on complex and time-sensitive projects, and serve as the go-to authority for the toughest technical challenges. Your control architectures will span all of Firefly's test stands, test fixtures, and launch sites.

As Level III, you are the subject matter expert and technical leader. You will define standards, drive innovation, develop roadmaps, and represent Firefly's I&C capabilities to internal and external stakeholders. You will resolve problems that other engineers escalate to you and make architectural decisions that impact multiple programs.

Key Responsibilities

Technical Leadership & Subject Matter Expertise

• Serve as subject matter expert (SME) for instrumentation and controls across Firefly
• Lead small technical teams of 1-2 engineers on specific, complex, or time-sensitive projects and initiatives
• Create and maintain procedures and standards for design, fabrication, and activation of control systems and control hardware
• Drive innovation in control system methodologies, tools, and approaches
• Develop long-term technical roadmaps for I&C capabilities and infrastructure
• Architect control system solutions for novel applications and complex technical challenges
• Provide technical authority and final design approval for critical control systems
• Serve as technical escalation point for complex troubleshooting and problem resolution
• Represent Firefly I&C capabilities in technical reviews, working groups, and industry forums

Strategic Planning & Business Development

• Participate in proposal development and provide technical input for new business opportunities
• Interface with internal and external customers to understand and resolve technical challenges
• Support cost estimation and technical risk assessment for new projects
• Contribute to technical strategy and capability development planning
• Identify opportunities for technology advancement and competitive differentiation
• Develop relationships with vendors, technology providers, and industry partners

Control System Design & Implementation

• Design, develop, test, and introduce controls, human-machine interfaces, data acquisition, and PLC systems for equipment involving mechanical, electrical, electronic controls, and fluid handling systems
• Design and implement PLC-based control systems for test stands, launch infrastructure, and ground support equipment
• Develop control logic, ladder logic, and structured text programming for Allen-Bradley, Siemens, or similar PLC platforms
• Design and configure HMIs (Human Machine Interfaces) for operator control and system monitoring
• Create control system architectures including I/O mapping, network topology, and control panel layouts
• Design interlock logic and safety systems to protect personnel, equipment, and flight hardware
• Develop automated sequencing for propellant loading, engine testing, and vehicle processing operations
• Implement motion control systems for valves, actuators, and positioning systems
• Develop SCADA systems for monitoring and control of distributed ground support equipment

Instrumentation & Data Acquisition

• Specify, select, and integrate sensors including thermocouples, RTDs, pressure transducers, flow meters, strain gauges, load cells, and position encoders
• Design signal conditioning circuits and amplification systems for sensor interfaces
• Configure data acquisition systems using National Instruments hardware (cRIO, CompactRIO, PXI) or similar platforms
• Develop LabVIEW or Python scripts for automated data collection and analysis
• Design instrumentation layouts and cable routing for test stands and launch facilities
• Calibrate instrumentation and maintain calibration records per AS9100 requirements
• Implement high-speed data acquisition for transient measurements during engine firings

Electrical Design & Documentation

• Generate instrumentation and control system drawing packages for projects including control and I/O diagrams, instrument and control cable schedules, instrument loop diagrams, junction box wiring diagrams, and control panel layout and wiring diagrams
• Create electrical drawings including single-line diagrams, control schematics, wiring diagrams, panel layouts, and conduit routing plans
• Design control panels including power distribution, circuit protection, terminal blocks, and component mounting
• Specify electrical components including breakers, contactors, relays, power supplies, and signal converters
• Review and approve electrical installation work for compliance with design intent and electrical codes
• Maintain as-built documentation and configuration control of electrical systems

Procurement & Vendor Management

• Obtain and evaluate vendor quotations for all required instrumentation and electrical equipment to be purchased for projects
• Prepare technical specifications and requisitions for control system components
• Coordinate with procurement team to ensure timely delivery of materials
• Review vendor submittals, datasheets, and technical documentation for compliance with specifications
• Manage relationships with equipment vendors and system integrators
• Evaluate new technologies and products for potential application in ground systems

Testing & Development

• Create and conduct in-house testing and development of equipment
• Develop test procedures and acceptance criteria for control system validation
• Perform bench testing of control panels, instrumentation, and data acquisition systems
• Conduct proof-of-concept testing for new control strategies and technologies
• Validate software and firmware before deployment to operational systems

Installation, Commissioning & Testing

• Handle all controls and communications aspects of installation, including pre-installation site surveys, controls installation preparedness, and equipment commissioning
• Support installation activities including panel fabrication, cable pulling, termination, and system integration
• Assist in building of panels and other electrical hardware based on drawings
• Perform Factory Acceptance Testing (FAT) and Site Acceptance Testing (SAT) of control systems
• Commission control systems including I/O checkout, loop tuning, and functional verification
• Validate control logic through simulation and dry-run testing before live operations
• Troubleshoot electrical and control system issues during installation and commissioning
• Provide engineering support to technicians during installation and commissioning activities
• Support operational readiness reviews and safety reviews for new systems

Test Operations Support

• Work with launch and test personnel in performing checkouts and commissioning of installed instrumentation and electrical systems, including calibration and/or configuration of instrument devices
• Perform site checkouts for test and launch operations and support launch and test day as needed
• Support test campaigns by operating control systems, monitoring data acquisition, and troubleshooting real-time issues
• Provide on-call engineering support for test operations including evenings and weekends as needed
• Diagnose and resolve control system anomalies during test operations with minimal downtime
• Review test data and provide feedback on instrumentation performance and data quality
• Implement rapid modifications to control systems to support evolving test requirements
• Collaborate with test engineers to optimize test procedures and system performance

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Work with operations team to ensure compliance with all regulatory and safety requirements, proper and timely build of equipment, and cost reduction in design
• Work closely with mechanical, fluids, structures, and software engineers to define system requirements
• Work with multidisciplinary teams and communicate effectively between different schools of engineering
• Participate in design reviews including PDR, CDR, and operational readiness reviews
• Coordinate with operations teams to understand operational needs and constraints
• Interface with vendors and contractors for equipment procurement and installation
• Provide personnel training on control system operation
• Provide technical input to project managers on schedule, cost, and technical risk

Mentorship & Technical Leadership

• Mentor Level I and Level II engineers and technicians on control system design, PLC programming, and instrumentation best practices
• Review technical work products from junior engineers including drawings, calculations, and code
• Lead small technical projects or subsystem design efforts
• Contribute to development of engineering standards, templates, and best practices
• Support continuous improvement of engineering processes and tools

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical, Mechanical, Computer, Aerospace, Controls, Instrumentation, or related Engineering or technical discipline
• Minimum 3-5 years of experience in instrumentation and controls engineering for industrial systems, test facilities, or ground support equipment
• 3-5 years of recent experience in a professional setting outside the classroom in control systems for chemical/oil facilities (SCADA), aerospace ground or vehicle control systems, or similar industrial applications
• Hands-on experience programming PLCs (Allen-Bradley, Siemens, or similar platforms) using ladder logic and structured text
• Experience designing and configuring HMIs for industrial control applications
• Strong understanding of instrumentation including sensor selection, signal conditioning, and calibration
• Working knowledge of common electrical sensors (thermocouples, RTDs, strain gauges, encoders, etc.)
• Proficiency with data acquisition systems, preferably National Instruments hardware and LabVIEW
• Ability to read and create electrical schematics, P&IDs, wiring diagrams, and control system documentation
• Experience with industrial communication protocols (Ethernet/IP, Modbus, Profibus, DeviceNet)
• Strong electrical fundamentals including circuit analysis, power systems, and analog/digital electronics
• Proficiency with AutoCAD Electrical or similar electrical design software
• Experience with commissioning and troubleshooting of control systems in operational environments