Launch Engineer – Fluid Systems

Role Overview

• Design and implement new fluid ground systems at current and future launch sites, including Vandenberg Space Force Base, Wallops Flight Facility, Esrange Space Center, and Cape Canaveral Space Force Station
• Collaborate with design engineers, technicians, and vendors to drive system upgrades and improve system functionality, operations, and automation
• Lead and support internal design reviews and operations readiness reviews and represent Firefly during external design reviews
• Develop and upgrade launch site equipment, systems, and procedures and partner with local and remote staff to ensure standard design processes across the company
• Lead troubleshooting efforts, resolve any issues and non-conformances that arise during operations/testing, and support anomaly investigations
• Responsible for the safe movement of launch vehicle and payload segment to the launch pad
• Responsible for ground system checkouts and vehicle operations at the launch pad
• Write and execute procedures to configure the launch pad mechanical and fluids systems for launch operations and system testing
• Write and execute preventative maintenance procedures to ensure mechanical and fluid systems are ready launch operations
• Opportunities to perform launch console operations or launch day red team activities
• Support development of company processes, guidelines, and training in test and launch operations
• Team with test site and launch site responsible engineers to optimize launch system designs and operations
• Collaborate with customers, external stakeholders, and design teams to ensure interoperability and compliance with regulatory and range safety requirements
• Support site activation and test operations
• Provide technical write-ups for proposals and tailoring of regulations
• Direct the work of Fluids and Mechanical GSE team members and support hiring efforts
• Requires up to 25% travel to test and launch sites to support overall program needs

Requirements

• Bachelors degree in mechanical engineering, aerospace engineering or related engineering discipline
• 5+ 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
• Familiarity with interpretation and design of P&IDs
• Experience with hazard and risk analysis tools (i.e., FMEA, FMECA, FHA, HAZOP, etc.)
• Able to prioritize and execute tasks in a high pressure fast-paced environment
• Ability to self-motivate and take the initiative to ensure your systems are functional and operating at peak performance
• Ability to adapt to shifting project and/or scope change requirements
• Ability to convey complex technical information clearly and concisely to technical and non-technical audiences
• Comfortable 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)
• Demonstrated project management experience, including vendor management, ability to communicate with senior leaders, development of budgets and schedules, etc.
• 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

Benefits

• generous health, dental and vision plans with low plan deductibles
• parental leave
• educational reimbursement
• short term disability
• flexible PTO options