Firefly Aerospace
ABOUT FIREFLY AEROSPACE
As an end-to-end space transportation company, Firefly Aerospace is on a mission to enable our world to launch, land, and operate in space – anywhere, anytime. Our launch vehicles, lunar landers, and orbital vehicles provide government and commercial customers with full mission services from low Earth orbit to the surface of the Moon and beyond. As part of our mission to develop cutting-edge technology, we are seeking a skilled Stage Test Manager to join our team and play a vital role in ensuring the success of our next-generation propulsion systems.
This position is located at our manufacturing and test facility in Briggs, TX north of Austin, TX.
SUMMARY Firefly is a new aerospace company, full of creative and talented people, and the engineers in Flight and Test Operations are the where the “Lox hits the TEA-TEB”. If you’re the type of person that wants to know every last detail regarding the operation, function and performance of a rocket, Test and Launch Operations is the place for you.
The Stage Test Manager for this position will support Firefly’s Flight and Test Operations team. This role is responsible for the management of all stage test operations for the Alpha vehicle, as well as supporting subsystem tests for Firefly's new Eclipse vehicle at Firefly’s Testing Site in Briggs, Texas. The Test Operations Team partners with engineers from across the company to test and validate hardware all in the pursuit of making flight worthy components. The Stage test is the final stop for Alpha stages before being sent to a Launch site. This step is critical for validating the functionality for the stage assembly, validating key metrics including: Thrust, Propellant Masses, Press system performance and leak tightness of the stage.
Engineers on this team are responsible for not just partnering with their fellow engineers to hash out plans to test components to their flight-like limits, but also developing the required infrastructure, mechanical, electrical and software, to support these tests. Engineers are expected to be fast on their feet, adaptive and responsive to challenges. They are expected to be in the field, working in hands on and time sensitive applications. Operations Engineers are expected to be self-sufficient, driven and highly motivated engineers up for learning new skills and taking on challenges to excel. As a team leader, you will own all aspects of component testing, including writing, reviewing and running test, scheduling, reporting on weekly progress and metrics and aligning needs with other test and engineering/operations groups.
The stage testing team also supports launch at the Firefly Launch Sites, aiding in the entire process from vehicle installation on the TEL through Static Fire and Launch. Members of the stage testing team has served roles ranging from Launch Pad Responsible Engineer, Vehicle and Ground Controller as well as Launch Conductor and Launch Director. The Stage Test Manager will be expected to support launch campaigns, while handing off responsibility to the launch sites as those sites grow and become self sufficient. Candidate must be available to travel to launch site for 3 week periods, maximum 20% of the year.
RESPONSIBILITIES
Integrated Product Team Manager
Manage test stand schedules, balancing needs of multiple programs, while maintaining test stand and supporting needed upgrades
Lead team in tracking and development of Key Performance Indicators
Run daily stand meetings and escape progress and blockers as they arise
Integrate, instrument and test rocket components using our world class test stands and test software suite
Optimize and implement improvements in testing, component workflow, data review and automation
Manage stand upgrade and modification plans, schedule & budgets
Manage team training (training new operators + developing and improving training plans)
Conduct 1:1 with Test engineers and Operators on team as well as Test Tech POC
Lead the hiring and recruitment as the team expands
Manage performance of team members
Work daily test stand operations
Serve as Test Director or Test Conductor for Stage Test Campaigns
Execute test plans and procedures on console, using voice comm systems and data display and control systems
Work directly with component engineers to develop and release formal Test Plans
Develop test procedures to check out and operate rocket components and subsystems
Participate in resolving any issues and non-conformances that arise during operations, and support failure and anomaly investigations, troubleshooting and resolution development
Analyze and review data to ensure that test stand and test article are operating as expected utilizing numerical data analysis tools to interpret test results
Improve test efficiency through automation and equipment improvement upgrades
Diagnose & Rework small to medium problems on stand involving Fluid, Electrical and Mechanical systems
Plan and implement improvements to the test stand and testing process
Develop new and improve automated scripts that support test operations
Develop and execute system validations, activations, upgrades and other tests required to ensure your stand is ready to support testing
Work with Ground Support Equipment (GSE) engineers to optimize test and launch systems designs and operation
Identify continuous improvement opportunities for performance, reliability, and cost
QUALIFICATIONS Required
BS in Engineering or related engineering discipline OR 5+ Years in a hardware test operations role
Works well in a collaborative multidisciplinary environment
Exceptional comprehension of engineering fundamentals
Exceptional writing and verbal communication skills
In depth understand of bipropellant propulsion and stage systems
Hand's on experience working with fluid and electrical components such as valves, regulators, pumps, and low voltage systems.
Ability to lift 30 pounds and to be on your feet all day when required
Ability to work on test stands and use standard mechanical and electrical tools
Willingness to travel to support launch operations in California, Virginia, and Beyond. (Max, 20%)
Desired
Experience Leading teams of engineers and/or technicians in a high pressure fast-paced environment
Direct experience with component testing, launch vehicle testing, or launch operations in either a public, commercial, or academic environment
Familiarity with
Scheduling and planning software (e.g. Microsoft Project, Jira, Odoo, etc.)
Consolidating data from multiple sources (e.g. PowerBI, SQL Database Manipulation)
Instrumentation and instrumentation deployment methods
Data acquisition and control methods, and data analysis tools
Data analysis and processing up to and including custom code development and implementation
Experience using data analysis tools and numerical methods to solve real world problems. i.e. Python
Experience automating data processing and report generation
Independent, driven and able to develop solutions with minimal guidance and oversight
Ability to perform computations for fluid systems (e.g., pressure drop, valve timing, etc.) for liquids, cryogenic liquids, and gases
Ability to read and understand technical drawings, including GD&T and P&IDs
Independent, driven and able to develop solutions with minimal guidance and oversight
Able to prioritize and execute tasks in a high pressure fast-paced environment
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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This position is located at our manufacturing and test facility in Briggs, TX north of Austin, TX.
SUMMARY Firefly is a new aerospace company, full of creative and talented people, and the engineers in Flight and Test Operations are the where the “Lox hits the TEA-TEB”. If you’re the type of person that wants to know every last detail regarding the operation, function and performance of a rocket, Test and Launch Operations is the place for you.
The Stage Test Manager for this position will support Firefly’s Flight and Test Operations team. This role is responsible for the management of all stage test operations for the Alpha vehicle, as well as supporting subsystem tests for Firefly's new Eclipse vehicle at Firefly’s Testing Site in Briggs, Texas. The Test Operations Team partners with engineers from across the company to test and validate hardware all in the pursuit of making flight worthy components. The Stage test is the final stop for Alpha stages before being sent to a Launch site. This step is critical for validating the functionality for the stage assembly, validating key metrics including: Thrust, Propellant Masses, Press system performance and leak tightness of the stage.
Engineers on this team are responsible for not just partnering with their fellow engineers to hash out plans to test components to their flight-like limits, but also developing the required infrastructure, mechanical, electrical and software, to support these tests. Engineers are expected to be fast on their feet, adaptive and responsive to challenges. They are expected to be in the field, working in hands on and time sensitive applications. Operations Engineers are expected to be self-sufficient, driven and highly motivated engineers up for learning new skills and taking on challenges to excel. As a team leader, you will own all aspects of component testing, including writing, reviewing and running test, scheduling, reporting on weekly progress and metrics and aligning needs with other test and engineering/operations groups.
The stage testing team also supports launch at the Firefly Launch Sites, aiding in the entire process from vehicle installation on the TEL through Static Fire and Launch. Members of the stage testing team has served roles ranging from Launch Pad Responsible Engineer, Vehicle and Ground Controller as well as Launch Conductor and Launch Director. The Stage Test Manager will be expected to support launch campaigns, while handing off responsibility to the launch sites as those sites grow and become self sufficient. Candidate must be available to travel to launch site for 3 week periods, maximum 20% of the year.
RESPONSIBILITIES
Integrated Product Team Manager
Manage test stand schedules, balancing needs of multiple programs, while maintaining test stand and supporting needed upgrades
Lead team in tracking and development of Key Performance Indicators
Run daily stand meetings and escape progress and blockers as they arise
Integrate, instrument and test rocket components using our world class test stands and test software suite
Optimize and implement improvements in testing, component workflow, data review and automation
Manage stand upgrade and modification plans, schedule & budgets
Manage team training (training new operators + developing and improving training plans)
Conduct 1:1 with Test engineers and Operators on team as well as Test Tech POC
Lead the hiring and recruitment as the team expands
Manage performance of team members
Work daily test stand operations
Serve as Test Director or Test Conductor for Stage Test Campaigns
Execute test plans and procedures on console, using voice comm systems and data display and control systems
Work directly with component engineers to develop and release formal Test Plans
Develop test procedures to check out and operate rocket components and subsystems
Participate in resolving any issues and non-conformances that arise during operations, and support failure and anomaly investigations, troubleshooting and resolution development
Analyze and review data to ensure that test stand and test article are operating as expected utilizing numerical data analysis tools to interpret test results
Improve test efficiency through automation and equipment improvement upgrades
Diagnose & Rework small to medium problems on stand involving Fluid, Electrical and Mechanical systems
Plan and implement improvements to the test stand and testing process
Develop new and improve automated scripts that support test operations
Develop and execute system validations, activations, upgrades and other tests required to ensure your stand is ready to support testing
Work with Ground Support Equipment (GSE) engineers to optimize test and launch systems designs and operation
Identify continuous improvement opportunities for performance, reliability, and cost
QUALIFICATIONS Required
BS in Engineering or related engineering discipline OR 5+ Years in a hardware test operations role
Works well in a collaborative multidisciplinary environment
Exceptional comprehension of engineering fundamentals
Exceptional writing and verbal communication skills
In depth understand of bipropellant propulsion and stage systems
Hand's on experience working with fluid and electrical components such as valves, regulators, pumps, and low voltage systems.
Ability to lift 30 pounds and to be on your feet all day when required
Ability to work on test stands and use standard mechanical and electrical tools
Willingness to travel to support launch operations in California, Virginia, and Beyond. (Max, 20%)
Desired
Experience Leading teams of engineers and/or technicians in a high pressure fast-paced environment
Direct experience with component testing, launch vehicle testing, or launch operations in either a public, commercial, or academic environment
Familiarity with
Scheduling and planning software (e.g. Microsoft Project, Jira, Odoo, etc.)
Consolidating data from multiple sources (e.g. PowerBI, SQL Database Manipulation)
Instrumentation and instrumentation deployment methods
Data acquisition and control methods, and data analysis tools
Data analysis and processing up to and including custom code development and implementation
Experience using data analysis tools and numerical methods to solve real world problems. i.e. Python
Experience automating data processing and report generation
Independent, driven and able to develop solutions with minimal guidance and oversight
Ability to perform computations for fluid systems (e.g., pressure drop, valve timing, etc.) for liquids, cryogenic liquids, and gases
Ability to read and understand technical drawings, including GD&T and P&IDs
Independent, driven and able to develop solutions with minimal guidance and oversight
Able to prioritize and execute tasks in a high pressure fast-paced environment
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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