Launch Vehicle Systems Engineer
Firefly Aerospace
Software Engineering
Cedar Park, TX, USA
Posted on Friday, March 26, 2021
ABOUT FIREFLY AEROSPACE
Firefly Aerospace Inc. is an American end-to-end space transportation company committed to providing economical and convenient access to space for small payloads through the design, manufacture, and operation of reliable launch and spacecraft vehicles. Firefly’s launch vehicles utilize common technologies, manufacturing infrastructure, and launch capabilities, providing LEO launch solutions for up to ten metric tons of payload. Combined with Firefly’s in-space vehicles, such as the Space Utility Vehicle (SUV) and Blue Ghost Lunar Lander, Firefly provides the space industry with a single source for missions from LEO to the surface of the Moon or beyond. Firefly is headquartered in Cedar Park, TX.
SUMMARY
As a Firefly Stage Responsible Engineer, you will leverage your creative and technical expertise to manage the Alpha or Beta launch vehicle architecture through the entire product lifecycle from concept & fabrication through test & flight. You will work with department responsible engineers, designers, test and launch teams to ensure the production of a thoroughly tests, operationally efficient and reliable vehicle that meets system level requirements. It will be your responsibility to validate the system architecture, manage design configuration between departments, develop test and launch procedures, and ensure the verification of the requirements. You will be expected to be able to speak knowledgeably about the current system configuration and provide status updates on performance, changes, schedule, and risk tracking. It will be your job to translate program plan and engineering team’s vision into system level success. A successful candidate will be a self-starter, elevate their teammates and be passionate about the space industry.
RESPONSIBILITIES
- Create and maintain system-level designs, schematics, interface control documents and performance budgets including fluid, electrical, and software architectures.
- Lead system level trades and design reviews across the entire stage
- Be the focal point for all vehicle level issues related to your stage or system
- Create FMEA's to identify vehicle and schedule risks, then work to mitigate those
- Support stage level development, qualification and/or acceptance test plans, including sitting console for stage tests and launches
- Coordinate and execute efficient integrated test/flight readiness and post test/launch data reviews
- Provide technical disposition and Non Conformance support for your stage through the entire vehicles life cycle.
- Proactively attack manufacturing challenges on the floor to deliver development, qual or flight articles
- Own interface management, requirements definition, technical performance metrics, risk management, integration, system-level analysis, and system-level trades
- Support external development efforts through corporate presentations, proposals, and exploratory trades
- Maintain a positive, professional, upbeat, and fresh environment for fellow team members, and be a source of intrinsic motivation for team success!
- Identify and drive design or operational problems to resolution to facilitate reliable and successful operations and reduce technical risk
QUALIFICATIONS
Required
- BS in Aerospace Engineering or related engineering discipline required
- 3+ years of focused hands-on experience in an interdisciplinary project management or execution role on rocket stages and/or launch systems, equivalent mechanical work will be considered.
- Exceptional comprehension of first principles in the following engineering disciplines; mechanical, structural dynamics, materials, electrical, mechatronics, thermodynamics, fluid dynamics, orbital mechanics, controls, and propulsion
- Amenable to travel and schedule flexibility leading up to program milestone
- Strong working knowledge of fabrication and assembly methodologies, production management tools, and quality control processes
- Experience in CAD, scripting languages, process automation,
- Good communication with all position levels within the company
- Exceptional public speaking and presentation skills
Desired
- MS or PhD in Aerospace/Mechanical Engineering or equivalent technical field
- Strong working knowledge of ASME, MIL, ASTM, and/or NASA Standards, as well as Systems Engineering best practices – able to adapt processes to meet the needs of the team
- Experience tailoring the SMC, AFSPCM equivalvent range documents
- Experienced on Agile Project Management using Atlassian tools (JIRA, confluence, bitbucket)
- Certified Scrum Master
- PMP or equivalent project management experience
Firefly offers outstanding benefits for our employees, including generous health, dental and vision plans with low plan deductibles, parental leave, educational reimbursement, short term disability, pet Insurance, and flexible PTO options.
To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) you 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.
Firefly Aerospace, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer; employment with Firefly is governed based on merit, competence and qualifications and will not be influenced in any manner by race, color, religion, gender, national origin/ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, mental or physical disability or any other legally protected status.
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