Launch Engineer-Fluids Systems IV

Firefly Aerospace•Briggs, TX

About The Position

Firefly Aerospace’s Launch Site Development team is hiring an engineer to design, commission, and operate mission-critical fluid systems across its launch-site portfolio. The role covers systems for cryogenic propellants, high-pressure gases, payload environmental control, and other ground support equipment, from initial design through operation. Sites include established U.S. launch facilities and greenfield locations such as Wallops Flight Facility and Esrange, Sweden. The engineer will work with design and operations teams to develop adaptable systems suited to varied site conditions and constraints, with designs progressing into installed hardware that supports live launch operations. The position includes up to 25% travel to test and launch sites. It requires comfort working in launch-site environments involving field testing, lifting equipment, and hazardous materials, as well as willingness to support off-hour shifts during launch operations, including nights and weekends as needed. To comply with U.S. Government space technology export regulations, candidates must meet the stated U.S. citizenship, permanent residency, protected individual, or authorization eligibility criteria.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering, aerospace engineering, or a related engineering discipline.
At least 7 years of hands-on experience with mechanical, structural, propulsion, or fluid systems; flight hardware; or test operations.
Experience designing, building, troubleshooting, and/or operating complex fluid systems.
Demonstrated experience interpreting and designing 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 changing project or scope requirements.
Ability to communicate complex technical information clearly and concisely to technical and non-technical audiences.
Comfort working in launch-site environments involving field testing, lifting equipment, and hazardous materials.
Willingness to support off-hour shifts during launch operations, including nights and weekends as needed.
Demonstrated project management experience, including vendor management, communication with senior leaders, and development of budgets and schedules.
Basic working knowledge of standards and regulations such as ASME, NFPA, NEC, AFSPCMAN 91-710, NASA-STD-5005, and GSFC-STD-8009.
Meet the stated eligibility criteria for U.S. Government space technology export regulations: U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident, protected individual under 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain required U.S. Department of State authorizations.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree in mechanical engineering, aerospace engineering, or a related engineering discipline.
Familiarity with data acquisition and control methods and data analysis tools.
Demonstrated experience with standards and regulations such as 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 and Bitbucket.
Ability to obtain a security clearance.

Responsibilities

Design, build, and activate fluid systems across the company’s global launch portfolio, including Vandenberg Space Force Base, Wallops Flight Facility, Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, and Esrange Space Center.
Lead design reviews and collaborate with design engineers, technicians, external partners, and site personnel on fluid system upgrades, operational improvements, and standardized processes.
Commission ground systems and lead integrated vehicle and ground operations at the pad.
Lead troubleshooting and resolve issues and non-conformances during operations or testing; support anomaly investigations.
Write procedures and automation for launch-pad configuration, vehicle operations, and propellant and pressurant handling during countdown operations.
Develop and execute maintenance strategies to maximize system availability and minimize downtime between missions.
Lead development of company processes, guidelines, and training for test and launch operations.
Work with customers, external stakeholders, and design teams to support interoperability and compliance with regulatory and range safety requirements.
Provide technical write-ups for proposals and tailor regulations.
Guide early-career Fluids and Mechanical GSE team members and support hiring efforts.
Travel to test and launch sites, up to 25%, to support program needs.
May perform launch console operations or launch-day red-team activities.