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 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

The Launch Site Development team is hiring for high-impact engineering positions for those who thrive on solving real problems in diverse environments. You will design, commission, and operate mission-critical fluid systems across a growing portfolio of launch sites, from historical US-based pads to greenfield builds in extreme locations including Wallops Flight Facility and Esrange, Sweden. You'll take cradle-to-grave ownership of critical launch systems for cryogenic propellants, high-pressure gases, payload environmental control, and other ground support equipment. Work with world-class design and operations teams to create adaptable designs that deploy reliably across wildly different site conditions and constraints.

Responsibilities

• 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 including design engineers, technicians, external partners, and site personnel to drive fluid system upgrades, streamline operations, and establish standardized processes
• 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 operations
• Develop and execute maintenance strategies that maximize system availability and minimize downtime 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 tailoring of regulations
• Guide the work of 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+ 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 such as FMEA, FMECA, FHA, or HAZOP
• 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 and weekends as needed)
• Demonstrated project management experience, including vendor management, communication with senior leaders, development of budgets and schedules
• Basic working knowledge of standards and regulations including ASME, NFPA, NEC, AFSPCMAN 91-710, NASA-STD-5005, and GSFC-STD-8009

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 including ASME, NFPA, NEC, AFSPCMAN 91-710, NASA-STD-5005, and GSFC-STD-8009
• Prior experience at a federal launch range such as VSFB, CCSFS, KSC, WFF, or PSC
• Familiarity with Atlassian products such as Confluence and Jira, and version control systems such as SVN or Bitbucket
• Ability to obtain a security clearance

Location

This position can be located in CO, CA, TX, FL, or VA.