Launch Engineer - Fluid Systems IV

About the role

Firefly Aerospace is a space and defense technology company on a mission to reliably and repeatedly launch, land, and operate space systems from Earth to the Moon and beyond. Headquartered in north Austin, Texas, Firefly is the first commercial company to launch a satellite to orbit with 24‑hour notice and the first company to achieve a successful Moon landing. The position can be located in CO, CA, TX, FL, or VA.

The Launch Site Development team is hiring for high‑impact, dynamic engineering positions for those who thrive on solving real problems in diverse environments. You will design, commission, and operate mission‑critical fluid systems across a growing portfolio of launch sites, from historic U.S. pads to greenfield builds in extreme locations such as Wallops Flight Facility and Esrange, Sweden. You will take cradle‑to‑grave ownership of critical launch systems for cryogenic propellants, high‑pressure gases, payload environmental control, and other ground support equipment, working with world‑class design and operations teams to create adaptable designs that deploy reliably across wildly different site conditions and constraints.

Responsibilities

• Design, build, and activate new fluid systems across a global launch portfolio including Vandenberg Space Force Base (CA), Wallops Flight Facility (VA), Cape Canaveral Space Force Station (FL), and Esrange Space Center (Sweden).
• Lead design reviews and collaborate with multidisciplinary teams—design engineers, technicians, external partners, and site personnel—to drive fluid system upgrades, streamline operations, and establish standardized processes across all launch sites.
• Commission ground systems and lead integrated vehicle/ground operations at the pad.
• Lead troubleshooting efforts, resolve issues and non‑conformances during operations/testing, and support anomaly investigations.
• Perform launch console operations or launch‑day red‑team activities as needed.
• Write procedures and automation for launch pad configuration, vehicle operations, and propellant/pressurant handling during countdown operations.
• Develop and execute maintenance strategies that maximize system availability and minimize downtime between missions.
• Lead development of company processes, guidelines, and training in test and launch operations.
• Collaborate with customers, external stakeholders, and design teams to ensure interoperability and compliance with regulatory and range safety requirements.
• Provide technical write‑ups for proposals and tailoring of regulations.
• Guide early‑career Fluids and Mechanical GSE team members and support hiring efforts.
• Travel up to 25 % to test and launch sites to support overall program needs.

Qualifications

Required

• Bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering, aerospace engineering, or a related engineering discipline.
• 7+ years of hands‑on experience with mechanical systems, structural systems, propulsion systems, fluid systems, flight hardware, or test operations.
• Experience designing, building, troubleshooting, and/or operating complex fluid systems.
• Demonstrated experience interpreting and designing P&IDs.
• Proficiency with hazard and risk analysis tools (e.g., FMEA, FMECA, FHA, HAZOP).
• Ability to prioritize and execute tasks in a high‑pressure, fast‑paced environment.
• Self‑motivation and initiative to ensure systems are functional and operating at peak performance.
• Adaptability to shifting project scope and requirements.
• Strong communication skills; able to convey complex technical information clearly to both technical and non‑technical audiences.
• Comfort working in launch site environments with field testing, lifting equipment, and hazardous materials.
• Willingness to support off‑hour shifts during launch operations (nights/weekends as needed).
• Project management experience, including vendor management, budget and schedule development, and communication with senior leaders.
• Basic working knowledge of standards and regulations (ASME, NFPA, NEC, AFSPCMAN 91‑710, NASA‑STD‑5005, GSFC‑STD‑8009, etc.).
• Ability to obtain a security clearance.

Desired

• Master’s degree in mechanical engineering, aerospace engineering, or a related discipline.
• Familiarity with data acquisition and control methods, and data analysis tools.
• Prior experience at a federal launch range (e.g., Vandenberg SFB, Cape Canaveral SFS, Kennedy Space Center, Wallops Flight Facility, PSC).
• Experience with Atlassian products (Confluence, Jira) and version‑control systems (SVN, Bitbucket, etc.).

Skills

• Hazard and risk analysis (FMEA, FMECA, FHA, HAZOP).
• P&ID interpretation and design.
• Knowledge of ASME, NFPA, NEC, AFSPCMAN 91‑710, NASA‑STD‑5005, GSFC‑STD‑8009 standards.
• Data acquisition, control, and analysis.
• Use of Atlassian Confluence and Jira for documentation and task tracking.
• Version‑control systems such as SVN and Bitbucket.
• Technical writing for procedures, proposals, and regulatory compliance.

Benefits

Firefly offers outstanding benefits, including generous health, dental, and vision plans with low deductibles, parental leave, educational reimbursement, short‑term disability, and flexible PTO options.