Technical Project Manager II-GSE

Firefly Aerospace•Briggs, TX

About The Position

Firefly Aerospace is seeking a Technical Project Manager to lead major capital projects that build and modernize test stands, launch sites, test fixtures, and related infrastructure supporting rocket and spacecraft programs. The role owns end-to-end execution of projects valued at $1 million to more than $20 million across new-build and existing sites, from concept through commissioning and transition to operations. The position combines technical leadership with project management, requiring sound engineering judgment across mechanical, electrical, fluids, structural, and controls disciplines, as well as rigorous control of scope, schedule, budget, and risk. The manager leads interdisciplinary engineering teams, evaluates design options and trade-offs, reviews technical deliverables, and helps define and manage project requirements. The role coordinates with engineering and fabrication managers, procurement, contractors, vendors, operations, and other stakeholders. It includes on-site work during critical milestones, review of technical documents such as P&IDs and electrical schematics, and support for integration of instrumentation, controls, data acquisition, and safety systems. The manager reports project progress and risks to leadership, maintains project records and change controls, and supports continuous improvement and development of future estimating and scheduling tools. The position requires a bachelor's degree in a relevant technical field and 3–5 years of experience managing complex technical projects, including capital infrastructure projects. Travel of up to 30% is required, with flexibility to support critical milestones, including extended hours. U.S. Person status is required due to ITAR/EAR requirements. Firefly offers health, dental, and vision plans, parental leave, relocation benefits, educational reimbursement, short-term disability, and flexible PTO options.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Civil Engineering, or a related technical field.
3–5 years of experience managing complex technical projects, with a proven record of delivering capital infrastructure projects on time and within budget.
Strong technical foundation and ability to understand and evaluate engineering analyses, drawings, and specifications across multiple disciplines.
Demonstrated ability to resolve technical conflicts and make engineering trade-off decisions.
Experience managing multi-million-dollar budgets and complex project schedules.
Strong project management skills, including planning, execution, risk management, and delivery.
Experience managing cross-functional teams of 10 or more across engineering, construction, and operations.
Excellent communication skills and ability to present technical information to technical and non-technical audiences.
Strong analytical and problem-solving skills and decision-making ability.
Proficiency with project management tools such as MS Project, Primavera P6, or similar.
Experience with CAD software and ability to read engineering drawings, including P&IDs, electrical schematics, and structural drawings.
Knowledge of project management methodologies, including Agile, Waterfall, or hybrid approaches.
Understanding of construction management principles and contractor coordination.
Ability to work in a fast-paced, dynamic environment with competing priorities.
Ability to travel up to 30% to project sites and support critical milestones, including extended hours.
U.S. Person status required: U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident, refugee, or asylee, due to ITAR/EAR requirements.

Nice To Haves

Master's degree in Engineering, MBA, or master's degree in Engineering Management.
Project management certification such as PMP, PgMP, Scrum Master, or equivalent.
10 or more years of experience in aerospace, defense, energy, or petrochemical industries.
Direct experience with rocket engine test stands, launch pad construction, or propulsion test facilities.
Knowledge of cryogenic fluid systems, high-pressure gas systems, and propellant handling.
Understanding of rocket engine operations, test procedures, and safety systems.
Experience with Design-Build or EPC project delivery methods.
Familiarity with NASA standards such as NASA-STD-5005, AFSPC launch site standards, or similar aerospace infrastructure requirements.
Knowledge of systems engineering processes and tools, including requirements management, verification and validation, and configuration management.
Experience with thermal modeling, CFD analysis, or structural FEA for test stand environments.
Understanding of ASME pressure vessel codes, NFPA codes, and building codes relevant to test infrastructure.
Experience managing permitting, environmental review, and regulatory approval processes.
Proficiency with Earned Value Management principles and cost/schedule integration.
Experience with Primavera P6, Microsoft Project, Smartsheet, or similar scheduling tools.
Familiarity with Odoo ERP or similar enterprise systems.
Knowledge of AS9100 or ISO 9001 quality management systems.
Lean or Six Sigma certification, Green Belt or Black Belt.
Experience with fast-track construction schedules and compressed project timelines.
Previous experience supporting launch operations or test campaigns.

Responsibilities

Serve as the technical arbiter for engineering differences and design conflicts across mechanical, electrical, fluids, structures, and controls disciplines.
Lead interdisciplinary engineering teams through technical analysis and trade evaluations.
Evaluate design approaches using engineering judgment, analysis, and cost-benefit trade studies.
Review and approve technical deliverables, including calculations, drawings, models, and specifications.
Ensure design decisions align with project requirements, safety standards, and operational objectives.
Work with technical teams to challenge, define, and manage technical requirements.
Drive preliminary design reviews, critical design reviews, and operational readiness reviews.
Own end-to-end execution of capital projects valued at $1 million to $20 million or more for test fixtures, test stands, and launch sites.
Manage greenfield construction and brownfield infrastructure upgrades or modifications.
Develop and maintain project plans covering scope, schedule, budget, and resources.
Control project scope, manage change requests, and prevent scope creep.
Track budgets and spend forecasts, and report or escalate schedule and budget variances.
Manage project schedules, critical paths, and resource loading; coordinate with engineering and fabrication managers to secure required resources.
Coordinate with procurement, construction contractors, vendors, and internal stakeholders.
Manage project risks, issues, and dependencies with proactive mitigation strategies.
Deliver projects on time, within budget, and in accordance with technical requirements and quality standards.
Ensure capital projects meet Firefly requirements for high-pressure fluids, cryogenic propellants, high-vibration systems, and measurement accuracy.
Coordinate integration of instrumentation, control, data acquisition, and safety systems.
Support transition from construction to active test operations.
Communicate project status, progress, risks, issues, and budget performance to executive leadership and other stakeholders.
Present technical briefings and executive summaries to stakeholders at all levels.
Manage expectations and negotiate competing priorities across programs.
Facilitate communication among engineering, operations, construction, and business teams.
Align project deliverables with business objectives and customer needs, and maintain relationships with contractors, vendors, and regulatory agencies as required.
Develop and maintain project plans, technical specifications, status reports, risk registers, and meeting minutes.
Manage project changes through formal change-control processes and stakeholder communication.
Ensure compliance with engineering standards, safety regulations, building codes, and aerospace industry best practices.
Implement project management best practices and continuous improvement initiatives.
Maintain as-built documentation and lessons learned; support development of cost-estimating databases and schedule templates.
Provide leadership, guidance, and mentorship to project teams; drive accountability, collaborative problem-solving, and execution.
Build high-performing teams and identify and develop talent within project teams.