Launch Engineer, EGSE 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. 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.
The Role
You will design data acquisition, controls, and automation systems to support integration, test, and launch of Firefly vehicles. You will have full ownership of your project from initial concept through all phases of development. You will also function as a launch operator, supporting testing and launch of the Alpha rocket while working in a fast-paced team environment.
Responsibilities
- Design data and control systems for the launch site including data and control I/O diagrams, instrument and control cable schedules, instrument loop diagrams, junction box wiring diagrams, control panel layout and wiring diagrams
- Create and conduct in-house testing and development of equipment and software
- Obtain and evaluate vendor quotations for instrumentation and electrical equipment
- Work with launch personnel on checkouts, commissioning, and calibration of pad electrical systems
- Design, develop, and test controls, communications, human-machine interface, and PLC systems for equipment involving electrical, mechanical, and fluid systems
- Work with operations team to ensure compliance with regulatory and safety requirements, timely equipment build, and cost efficiency
- Manage all aspects of controls and data acquisition installation, including design, personnel training, engineering support to launch technicians, and equipment commissioning
- Perform launch site checkouts and support launch day operations
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering, computer engineering, aerospace engineering or related engineering discipline
- 1-3 years of professional experience with data acquisition and control systems for aerospace ground systems, aerospace vehicle systems, food and beverage, or oil and gas facilities
- Ability to create process flow diagrams (P&IDs, schematics, cause and effect charts, control narrative, instrument index)
- Familiarity with NFPA, NEC, UL and ISA codes and electrical codes
- Ability to assist in building of panels and electrical harnessing based on drawings
- Proficiency in programming and configuring PLCs and HMI systems across multiple platforms
- Experience with National Instrument Measurement and Automation Explorer (MAX) for configuring and troubleshooting devices for use with LabView
- Working knowledge of multiple bus architectures (PCI/PCIe, PXI/PXIe, GPIB, Serial, USB, etc.) and data communication technologies
- Experience with hazard and risk analysis tools (FMEA, FMECA, FHA, HAZOP, etc.)
Desired Qualifications
- Master's degree in mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, computer engineering, aerospace engineering or related engineering discipline
- 3+ years of professional experience with data acquisition and control systems for aerospace ground systems, aerospace vehicle systems, food and beverage, or oil and gas facilities
- Ability to mentor junior engineers and technicians on electrical systems
- Familiarity with Industrial Ethernet and control specific networking protocols (ModbusTCP/RTU, RS-485, RS-232, Analog Communication)
- Working knowledge of AFSPCMAN 91-710, NASA-STD-5005, GSFC-STD-8009, RCC 319/324, etc.
Compensation
- Launch Engineer II: $110,151 - $130,304
- Launch Engineer III: $127,823 - $160,000
US Person Requirement
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.