Launch Engineer - Fluid Systems IV 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 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
The Launch Site Development team is hiring for high-impact engineering positions for those who solve real problems in diverse environments. Design, commission, and operate mission-critical fluid systems across a growing portfolio of launch sites, from established US-based pads to greenfield builds in extreme locations including Wallops Flight Facility and Esrange, Sweden. Take cradle-to-grave ownership of critical launch systems for cryogenic propellants, high-pressure gases, payload environmental control, and ground support equipment. You'll work with world-class design and operations teams to create adaptable designs that deploy reliably across different site conditions and constraints.
What You'll Do
- Design, build, and activate new fluid systems across Vandenberg Space Force Base (CA), Wallops Flight Facility (VA), Cape Canaveral Space Force Station (FL), and Esrange Space Center (Sweden)
- Lead design reviews and collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to drive fluid system upgrades, streamline operations, and establish standardized processes across all launch sites
- Commission ground systems and lead integrated vehicle/ground operations at the pad
- Lead troubleshooting efforts, resolve issues and non-conformances during operations and testing, and support anomaly investigations
- Perform launch console operations or launch day red team activities
- Write procedures and automation for launch pad configuration, vehicle operations, and propellant/pressurant handling during countdown
- Develop and execute maintenance strategies that maximize system availability between missions
- Lead development of company processes, guidelines, and training in test and launch operations
- Collaborate with customers, external stakeholders, and design teams to ensure interoperability and compliance with regulatory and range safety requirements
- Provide technical write-ups for proposals and regulation tailoring
- Guide early career Fluids and Mechanical GSE team members and support hiring efforts
- Travel up to 25% to test and launch sites to support program needs
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering, aerospace engineering, or related engineering discipline
- 7 or more years of hands-on experience with mechanical systems, structural systems, propulsion systems, fluid systems, flight hardware, or test operations
- Experience designing, building, troubleshooting, and/or operating complex fluid systems
- Demonstrated experience with interpretation and design of P&IDs
- Experience with hazard and risk analysis tools (FMEA, FMECA, FHA, HAZOP, etc.)
- Ability to prioritize and execute tasks in a high-pressure, fast-paced environment
- Ability to self-motivate and take initiative to ensure systems are functional and operating at peak performance
- Ability to adapt to shifting project and scope change requirements
- Ability to convey complex technical information clearly and concisely to technical and non-technical audiences
- Comfortable working in launch site environments with field testing, lifting equipment, and hazardous materials
- Willingness to support off-hour shifts during launch operations (nights/weekends as needed)
- Demonstrated project management experience, including vendor management, communication with senior leaders, budget and schedule development
- Basic working knowledge of standards and regulations (ASME, NFPA, NEC, AFSPCMAN 91-710, NASA-STD-5005, GSFC-STD-8009, etc.)
Desired Qualifications
- Master's degree in mechanical engineering, aerospace engineering, or related engineering discipline
- Familiarity with data acquisition and control methods and data analysis tools
- Demonstrated experience with standards and regulations (ASME, NFPA, NEC, AFSPCMAN 91-710, NASA-STD-5005, GSFC-STD-8009, etc.)
- Prior experience at a federal launch range (VSFB, CCSFS, KSC, WFF, PSC)
- Familiarity with Atlassian products (Confluence, Jira) and version control systems (SVN, Bitbucket, etc.)
- Ability to obtain a security clearance
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 required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.
Work Location
This position can be located in CO, CA, TX, FL, or VA.