Instrumentation & Controls Engineer III-Ground Systems

Firefly Aerospace•Briggs, TX

About The Position

Firefly Aerospace is hiring a Level III Instrumentation & Controls Engineer for its Ground Systems team. The engineer will serve as a company-wide subject matter expert and technical leader, architecting control-system solutions from concept through commissioning for test stands, test fixtures, launch sites, and other ground infrastructure. The role supports rocket-engine monitoring, cryogenic propellant management, and test campaigns across Firefly programs. It includes setting technical direction and standards, making architectural decisions, leading small project teams, resolving escalated technical challenges, and mentoring engineers. The engineer will design and implement PLC-based control systems, HMIs, SCADA, interlocks, safety systems, automated sequences, motion-control systems, instrumentation, and data-acquisition systems. The role also covers electrical design and documentation, component specifications, procurement and vendor coordination, in-house testing, installation, commissioning, acceptance testing, and operational support. The engineer will collaborate with multidisciplinary teams and customers, contribute to proposals and project risk and cost estimates, and support launch and test operations, including on-call coverage during evenings and weekends as needed. A bachelor's degree in a relevant engineering or technical discipline and 3–5 years of applicable professional experience are required. The position also requires hands-on PLC programming, HMI design, instrumentation and data-acquisition experience, electrical design and troubleshooting skills, and the ability to support test operations. U.S. Person status is required due to export-control regulations.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Electrical, Mechanical, Computer, Aerospace, Controls, Instrumentation, or a related engineering or technical discipline.
Minimum 3–5 years of instrumentation and controls engineering experience in industrial systems, test facilities, or ground support equipment.
3–5 years of recent professional experience outside the classroom in control systems for chemical or oil facilities (SCADA), aerospace ground or vehicle control systems, or similar industrial applications.
Hands-on PLC programming experience with 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 electrical sensors such as thermocouples, RTDs, strain gauges, and encoders.
Proficiency with data-acquisition systems; National Instruments hardware and LabVIEW are preferred in the required-qualification section.
Ability to read and create electrical schematics, P&IDs, wiring diagrams, and control-system documentation.
Experience with industrial communication protocols such as Ethernet/IP, Modbus, Profibus, and DeviceNet.
Strong electrical fundamentals, including circuit analysis, power systems, and analog and digital electronics.
Proficiency with AutoCAD Electrical or similar electrical-design software.
Experience commissioning and troubleshooting control systems in operational environments.
Hands-on experience with multimeters, oscilloscopes, signal generators, and calibration equipment.
Ability to learn quickly, take accountability, and self-motivate.
Good oral and written communication skills, including technical documentation and cross-functional collaboration.
Strong problem-solving skills and ability to troubleshoot complex electrical and control issues.
Flexibility to support test operations with extended hours and weekend work as needed.
U.S. Person status required due to ITAR/EAR requirements; the posting identifies U.S. citizens, lawful permanent residents, refugees, and asylees as qualifying categories.

Nice To Haves

Master's degree in Electrical Engineering or Controls Engineering.
Five or more years of experience in aerospace, defense, petrochemical, or similar high-reliability industries.
Experience with rocket-engine test stands, launch-pad control systems, or propulsion test facilities.
Knowledge of cryogenic fluid systems, high-pressure gas systems, and propellant-handling operations.
Experience with National Instruments cRIO or CompactRIO systems and LabVIEW Real-Time programming.
Proficiency with Python for automation scripting and data analysis.
SCADA creation or management experience for distributed control systems.
Ability to assist with panel assembly and hands-on fabrication of electrical hardware.
Familiarity with ISO, IEEE, NFPA, ANSI, and EIA codes and electrical requirements.
Knowledge of NFPA 70 (NEC), NFPA 79, and UL 508A electrical standards.
Understanding of EMI/EMC considerations and design practices.
Experience with motion-control systems and servo drives.
Familiarity with SCADA systems and industrial networking infrastructure.
Experience with RF systems, telemetry, or wireless instrumentation.
Understanding of hazardous-location electrical design (Class I, Div 1/2).
Knowledge of AS9100 or ISO 9001 quality management systems.
Previous experience supporting test campaigns or launch operations.
PE license or EIT certification.
Six Sigma or Lean certification.

Responsibilities

Serve as the subject matter expert for instrumentation and controls across Firefly.
Lead small technical teams of 1–2 engineers on complex or time-sensitive projects.
Create and maintain procedures and standards for control-system and hardware design, fabrication, and activation.
Drive innovation in control-system methodologies, tools, and approaches; develop long-term technical roadmaps.
Architect solutions for novel applications and complex technical challenges; provide final design approval for critical control systems.
Act as the technical escalation point for troubleshooting and represent Firefly's I&C capabilities in reviews, working groups, and industry forums.
Contribute technical input to proposals, business opportunities, project cost estimates, risk assessments, and capability planning.
Interface with customers, vendors, technology providers, and industry partners to resolve technical issues and evaluate opportunities.
Design, develop, test, and introduce PLC systems, control logic, HMIs, SCADA, interlocks, safety systems, automated sequences, and motion-control systems.
Specify, select, and integrate sensors; design signal conditioning; configure data-acquisition systems; develop automated collection and analysis scripts; and maintain instrumentation calibration records.
Generate and maintain instrumentation, control, and electrical drawing packages, including schematics, wiring diagrams, cable schedules, panel layouts, and as-built documentation.
Design control panels and specify electrical components; review electrical installation work for compliance with design intent and codes.
Obtain and evaluate vendor quotations, prepare technical specifications and requisitions, coordinate procurement, and review vendor submittals.
Create and conduct equipment tests; develop validation procedures and acceptance criteria; perform bench, proof-of-concept, software, and firmware testing.
Support site surveys, installation preparedness, panel fabrication, cable installation, termination, and system integration.
Perform FAT and SAT, commission control systems, verify I/O and control logic, troubleshoot installation issues, and support readiness and safety reviews.
Support test and launch operations, including site checkouts, calibration and configuration, test-day support, real-time troubleshooting, and rapid system modifications.
Review test data and collaborate with test engineers to improve instrumentation performance, data quality, procedures, and system performance.
Collaborate with operations, mechanical, fluids, structures, software, and other engineering teams; participate in design reviews and provide technical input on schedule, cost, and risk.
Train personnel and mentor junior engineers and technicians; review their technical work and contribute to engineering standards, templates, best practices, and process improvement.