Prototype Technician IV (Innovation Lab)

Firefly Aerospace•Cedar Park, TX

20h•Onsite

About The Position

Firefly is looking for experienced builders with a background in manufacturing launch vehicles and spacecraft to collaborate with Innovation engineers to build prototype hardware within our Gloworks Innovation Lab. You will be part of a small, lean, highly skilled and dynamic team that will involve you in all aspects of prototype manufacturing, from machining, composites, manufacturing-engineering support, design-for-manufacturing, assembling and testing mechanisms, fabrication, and testing. Excellent collaboration and communication skills, along with a positive attitude are critical.

Requirements

Minimum 7 years of hands-on composites or machining experience, with significant time in a prototype, R&D, or job-shop environment.
Demonstrated experience operating manual mills and lathes to produce precision prototype parts.
Ability to independently create workholding solutions, write offset sheets, and develop setups.
Proficiency reading and interpreting complex engineering drawings, GD&T callouts, and 3D CAD models.
Proficiency with hand inspection tools (calipers, micrometers, bore gauges, height gauges).
Strong communication and interpersonal skills; comfortable working alongside engineers and technical staff daily.
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 the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.

Nice To Haves

Experience in an R&D, aerospace, defense, or advanced manufacturing innovation environment.
Exposure to 5-axis mill or mill-turn programming in Mastercam or equivalent CAM system.
CMM operation or other advanced metrology equipment experience.

Responsibilities

Lead the setup and operation of a composites work cell within the Gloworks lab
Lead and execute key decision non equipment, processes, and methods to ensure successful operation of the composites work cell.
Develop and lead the building of necessary tooling and fixturing to enable successful composite prototype production within Gloworks
Set up and operate manual mills and lathes for one-off prototype features, secondary operations, and rapid design iterations.
Apply sound machining practice and craftsmanship to maintain tight tolerances on manual equipment.
Engage with engineers early in the design process to provide DFM guidance that reduces lead time and cost without compromising design intent.
Identify manufacturability risks and propose alternative geometries or processes to accelerate the prototype cycle.
Participate in design reviews and engineering meetings as the manufacturing subject matter expert.
Perform first-article and in-process hand inspection using calipers, micrometers, gauges, and other standard metrology tools.
Verify parts to engineering drawings and models, document non-conformances and support engineering dispositioning of deviations.
Collaborate with engineers on the assembly of prototype hardware, providing machining expertise during fit-up and integration.
Perform minor modifications and rework during assembly as required to meet design intent.
Train engineers and Innovation Lab staff on the safe and effective use of composite materials, tools, and methods
Support a parallel-pathing culture where engineers can contribute to prototyping tasks under supervision, increasing prototype throughput.
Develop best-practice documentation for Lab manufacturing projects.