Launch Engineer - Integration

As an end-to-end space transportation company, Firefly Aerospace is on a mission to enable our world to launch, land, and operate in space anywhere, anytime. Our launch vehicles, lunar landers, and orbital vehicles provide government and commercial customers with full mission services from low Earth orbit to the surface of the Moon and beyond. Headquartered in north Austin, Texas, Firefly is looking for passionate, hardworking innovators to join our team and help fuel our successful trajectory into space.

SUMMARY

Firefly Integration Engineers within the launch group leverage their creative background and expertise to develop and champion innovative solutions to meet increased Alpha launch demand at Vandenberg SFB. As an Engineer responsible for payload and launch vehicle integration, you will lead the planning, processing, and integration of critical flight hardware, to include transport to the pad and final mate of the encapsulated payload fairing segment to the launch vehicle. Additionally, you will work in small collaborative groups through all stages of integration systems design, installation, maintenance, and operations. The ideal candidate for this position possesses proven skills operating within a fast-paced dynamic environment with multi-disciplinary teams to drive responsive space launch at Firefly.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Performs launch site checkouts for test and launch operations and supports critical launch day activities.
• Lead critical flight hardware processing, checkout, and integration operations.
• Drive operational readiness of horizontal integration and payload processing facilities to include electrical/mechanical/structural ground support equipment (GSE) and commodities/consumables.
• Team with Mission Managers on critical customer facing mission-specific activities such as fit checks, receiving customer hardware, spacecraft processing and GSE validation.
• Adjust CONOPS for integration at third party cleanroom, support operations on location.
• Develop, write, and execute operational procedures to configure facilities, flight hardware and GSE systems for integration, test and launch events.
• Develop hazard analysis for hazardous operations involving launch vehicle and/or spacecraft.
• Collaborates with design engineers, technicians, and vendors to drive system upgrades and improve system functionality, operations, and automation.
• Lead and support internal design reviews and operational readiness reviews, as well as represent Firefly during external customer reviews.
• Lead and support troubleshooting and resolving any issues and non-conformances that arise during testing, operations, and support failure and anomaly investigations, troubleshooting and resolution development.
• Prioritize tasks and projects effectively to drive department efficiency and eliminate blockers to critical path.
• Travels to test and launch sites as required to support the overall program needs.

QUALIFICATIONS

Required

• Bachelors degree in aerospace engineering or related field.
• 3+ years of hands-on experience integrating launch vehicles, payloads, or spacecraft.
• Familiarity with pressurized fluid systems, hypergolics, and hoisting/hazardous lift ops.
• Working knowledge of SSCMAN 91-710.
• Familiarity with reading and/or designing P&IDs.
• Ability to prioritize and execute tasks in high-pressure fast-paced environments.
• Ability to self-motivate and take initiative to ensure systems are functional and operating at peak performance.
• Ability to adapt to shifting projects and/or scope change requirements with ease.
• Ability to pass Air Force background checks for Vandenberg SFB, CA.

Desired

• Experience working as the primary interface with an external aerospace customer or internal product team.
• Experience working in ISO certified cleanrooms and ESD protected areas.
• Working knowledge of qualification and acceptance testing.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a Top Secret clearance.
• Experience with deployment mechanisms or with robotics and actuators for spacecraft.
• Experience with risk management and change control.
• Familiarity with instrumentation and instrumentation deployment methods.
• Familiarity with data acquisition and control methods, and data analysis tools.
• Coding and automation experience.

Compensation: $100,000-140,000/year