Spacecraft Avionics Systems Engineer I

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. As the partner of choice for critical space missions, 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. Headquartered in north Austin, Texas, Firefly is looking for passionate, hardworking innovators to join our team.

About the role

A Firefly Avionics Systems engineer is responsible for the design, development, and testing of avionics systems on our spacecraft. In this role, you develop the avionics systems, requirements verifications, and component/system level test campaigns. You also help develop and design the HIL (Hardware-in-the-Loop) system to verify functionality before spacecraft integration, interfacing with software, mechanical, propulsion, fluids, and structures teams to ensure proper functionality of the integrated solution. You are responsible for developing and executing development schedules, system-level test and operations plans, and supporting launch day and on-orbit operations. You will assist the AIT (Assembly, Integration, and Test) team in proving-out functionality of all avionics systems onboard the integrated vehicles.

Responsibilities

• Own the entire process of designing the electrical architecture, testing, and integrating avionics components onto the spacecraft
• Support assembly, integration, and test (AIT), launch integration, and on-orbit operations
• Intuitively understand the intention behind design decisions and direct assembly and test operations based on those intentions
• Write and execute vehicle assembly procedures and electrical system functional validation processes
• Lead high-level, functional design and development of avionics systems for current and future spacecraft
• Develop design verification, qualification, and acceptance test plans, and coordinate with other avionics and manufacturing engineers and technicians to execute
• Recommend spacecraft function and reliability upgrades based on experience
• Requirement writing and verification for spacecraft avionics

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics)
• 1+ years of experience working with aerospace component development, testing, integration, or operations
• Experience in electrical engineering in both analog and digital circuit design, including usage of test equipment such as logic analyzers, oscilloscopes, signal generators, electronic loads, multimeters, and interpreting electrical schematics
• Experience performing trade studies and sensitivity studies to select the best architecture option
• Hands-on experience with prototyping circuits and testing
• Requirement writing and verification experience
• Experience in technical writing, proper documentation, and SOP creation
• Proactive mentality with the ability to self-start
• Experience with Python
• 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

Qualifications (Desired)

• Experience with aerospace avionics system design, development, testing, or operations
• Experience with power engineering, design, budgeting, and test
• Experience in software engineering, especially C, C++, Python, and LabVIEW
• Experience with project planning, subcontractor management, and other project management skills
• Experience in industry-standard root cause corrective analysis techniques, such as fault tree and fishbone analysis
• Experience in PCB and hardware design
• Experience in the V-model design methodology
• Experience in Failure Mode Effect Analysis (FMEA)
• Experience in GND and bonding design of spacecraft
• Experience with environmental analysis and testing, including thermal cycling, thermal vacuum, shock, and vibration
• Familiarity with NASA GEVS or SMC-016 environmental testing
• Familiarity with MIL-STD461 EMC Testing
• Ability to collaborate effectively with other engineering disciplines and regulatory authorities

Benefits

• Generous health, dental, and vision plans with low plan deductibles
• Parental leave
• Educational reimbursement
• Short-term disability
• Flexible PTO options