Launch Engineer – Controls & Instrumentation

August 1, 2024
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Job Description

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. Headquartered in north Austin, Texas, Firefly is looking for passionate, hardworking innovators to join our team and help fuel our successful trajectory into space.

SUMMARY

Firefly EGSE Engineers within the launch group will leverage their creative background and expertise to design data acquisition, control and instrumentation systems used to support integration, test and launch of Firefly vehicles. The EGSE Engineer is responsible for evaluating, developing, designing, building, installing and servicing data acquisition systems, controls and other low-voltage electrical systems for the Firefly launch team. The EGSE Engineer must apply knowledge of electronic, mechanical and fluid transport principles to ensure the internal and external communication of data is configured in the most optimal way. You will have full ownership of your project from the initial concept through all phases of the design, analysis, and implementation of your systems. Rockets don’t fly without your support equipment!

RESPONSIBILITIES

  • Obtain and evaluate vendor quotations for all required instrument and electrical equipment to be purchased for projects.
  • Design data and control systems for the launch site including drawings or schematics. These drawings include data and control I/O diagrams, instrument and control cable schedules, instrument loop diagrams, junction box wiring diagrams, control panel layout and wiring diagrams.
  • Create and conduct in-house testing and development of equipment.
  • Work with launch personnel in performing check outs and commissioning of installed instrument and electrical systems, including the calibration and/or configuration of instrument devices.
  • Design, develop, test and introduce the controls, communications, human-machine interface, and PLC systems for equipment involving mechanical, electrical, electronic controls and fluid handling systems.
  • Work with operations team to ensure compliance with all regulatory and safety requirements, proper and timely build of equipment, and cost reduction in design.
  • Manage all aspects of EGSE installation, including pre-installation surveys, data or controls installation design, personnel training, engineering support to launch technicians, and equipment commissioning.
  • Performs launch site checkouts for test and launch operations and supports launch day.
  • Travels to test and launch sites as required to support the overall program.

QUALIFICATIONS

Required

  • Bachelors’ degree in electrical engineering, computer engineering, aerospace engineering or related engineering discipline.
  • 1+ years of recent experience in a professional setting outside the classroom in the data acquisition and control systems for Aerospace ground systems, Aerospace vehicle systems, or Oil and Gas facilities.
  • Ability to create process flow diagrams (P&ID, schematics, cause & effect chart, control narrative, instrument index).
  • Familiarity with NFPA, NEC, UL and ISA codes and electrical codes and requirements.
  • Ability to assist in building of panels and electrical harnessing based off drawings.
  • Proficiency in programming/configuring PLCs and HMI systems across multiple platforms.
  • Experience with National Instrument Measurement & Automation Explorer (MAX) for configuring and troubleshooting devices for use with LabView.
  • Working knowledge of multiple bus architectures (PCI/PCIe, PXI/PXIe, GPIB, Serial, USB, etc.) and data communication technologies.

Desired

  • Master’s degree in mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, computer engineering, aerospace engineering or related engineering discipline.
  • 3+ years of experience with data acquisition and control systems for Aerospace ground systems, Aerospace vehicle systems, or Oil and Gas facilities
  • The ability to mentor junior EGSE engineers and guide technician work on EGSE systems
  • Familiarity with Industrial Ethernet and control specific networking philosophies (i.e. Modbus, RS-485, RS-232, Analog Communication).
  • Working knowledge of AFSPCMAN 91-710 Range Safety User Requirements for EGSE.
  • Experience developing Operating and Support Hazardous Analysis (O&SHA) and operation procedure writing.

Additional Requirements

  • Ability to pass Space Force background check for Vandenberg SFB, CA and Cape Canaveral SFS, FL.
  • Must be comfortable stooping and bending, as well as standing for long periods of time to support test and launch day operations.
  • Ability to operate machinery such as forklifts and boom lifts a plus.
  • Must be able to work in varying climate environments, heat, cold, rain.
  • Must be able to lift and carry 30 pounds unassisted.

Compensation: $90,000-125,000/year

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, 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.