Launch Technician - Mechanical Systems III

Mechanical Engineer - Launch Pad Responsible Engineer

Firefly Aerospace is a space and defense technology company that enables our world to launch, land, and operate in space – anywhere, anytime. As the partner of choice for critical space missions, Firefly is the only commercial company to launch a satellite to orbit with 24-hour notice and the only company to achieve a successful Moon landing. Our launch vehicles, lunar landers, and orbital vehicles provide government and commercial customers with full mission services from low Earth orbit to the Moon and beyond. Headquartered in north Austin, Texas, Firefly is looking for passionate, hardworking innovators to join our team and help fuel our successful trajectory into space.

The Launch team is hiring for high-impact, dynamic engineering positions for those who thrive on solving real problems in diverse environments. We are looking for a mechanical engineer to serve as the launch pad responsible engineer for the mechanical and hydraulic systems. This position will serve as the subject matter expert for these systems in all aspects of operation, maintenance and sustainment. This position will validate and execute the performance of these systems during launch operations.

Responsibilities:

• Own all aspects of the launch pad hydraulic systems used for the vehicle support strongback and the hold down release system. Serve as the subject matter expert for these systems during launch campaigns to validate system readiness and performance.
• Lead design reviews and collaborate with multidisciplinary teams — including design engineers, technicians, external partners, and site personnel — to drive mechanical system upgrades, streamline operations, and validate system readiness and performance for launch campaigns.
• Support safe movement of launch vehicles and payload segments at the launch complex including hoisting via crane and installation of the launch vehicle into the launch pad support structure.
• Perform structural analysis using hand calculations and FEA tools to validate designs and provide engineering dispositions for in-service hardware
• Lead troubleshooting efforts, resolve any issues and non-conformances that arise during operations/testing, and support anomaly investigations
• Opportunities to perform launch console operations or launch day red team activities
• Write procedures for system activation, operation, maintenance, and vehicle handling operations
• Develop and execute maintenance strategies that maximize system availability and minimize downtime between missions
• 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
• Direct the work of Fluids and Mechanical GSE team members. Write work instructions and supervise the execution of field work in service of the launch pad mechanical systems.

Qualifications:

Required:

• Bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering, aerospace engineering or related engineering discipline
• 6+ years of hands-on experience with mechanical systems, structural systems, mechanisms, hydraulic systems, tooling, flight hardware or test operations
• Experience designing, building, troubleshooting and/or operating complex mechanical or structural systems
• Proficient knowledge of hydraulic systems design, operation and maintenance.
• Demonstrated experience creating and interpreting engineering documentation including drawings, P&ID schematics and test data.
• Experience with hazard and risk analysis tools (i.e., FMEA, FMECA, FHA, HAZOP, etc.)
• Knowledge of fabrication, welding, machining and assembly practices
• 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, AWS, AISC, AFSPCMAN 91-710, NASA-STD-5005, GSFC-STD-8009, etc.)

Desired:

• Master's degree in mechanical engineering, aerospace engineering or related engineering discipline
• Experience with FEA software (e.g., ANSYS, FEMAP, Siemens NX Nastran) and ability to verify results with hand calculations
• Extensive and demonstrated experience designing, operating, and maintaining hydromechanical systems, including hydraulic power units, cylinders, pumps, and valves
• Familiarity with data acquisition and control methods, and data analysis tools
• Demonstrated experience with standards and regulations (ASME, AWS, AISC, AFSPCMAN 91-710, NASA-STD-5005, GSFC-STD-8009, etc.)
• Prior experience at a federal launch range (e.g., VSFB, CCSFS, KSC, WFF, PSC)
• Familiarity with Atlassian products (i.e., Confluence and Jira) and version control systems (i.e., SVN, Bitbucket, etc.)
• Ability to obtain a security clearance