Prototype Technician IV; Innovation Lab

About Firefly Aerospace

Firefly Aerospace is a space and defense technology company on a mission to reliably and repeatedly launch, land, and operate space systems from Earth to the Moon and beyond. 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.

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 Gloworks Innovation team is located within the Firefly CTO office and seeks to advance novel technology to TRL>5 so that it can be deployed to Engineering, as well as owns small technology and vehicle programs that fall beyond the scope of the Elytra, Blue Ghost, Alpha, and Eclipse program focus.

Firefly is looking for experienced builders with a background in manufacturing launch vehicles and spacecraft to collaborate with Innovation engineers to build prototype hardware within our Gloworks Innovation Lab. You will be part of a small, lean, highly skilled and dynamic team that will involve you in all aspects of prototype manufacturing, from machining, composites, manufacturing‑engineering support, design‑for‑manufacturing, assembling and testing mechanisms, fabrication, and testing.

Excellent collaboration and communication skills, along with a positive attitude are critical.

• Lead the setup and operation of a composites work cell within the Gloworks lab
• Lead and execute key decision non equipment, processes, and methods to ensure successful operation of the composites work cell.
• Develop and lead the building of necessary tooling and fixturing to enable successful composite prototype production within Gloworks

• Set up and operate manual mills and lathes for one‑off prototype features, secondary operations, and rapid design iterations.
• Apply sound machining practice and craftsmanship to maintain tight tolerances on manual equipment.

• Engage with engineers early in the design process to provide DFM guidance that reduces lead time and cost without compromising design intent.
• Identify manufacturability risks and propose alternative geometries or processes to accelerate the prototype cycle.
• Participate in design reviews and engineering meetings as the manufacturing subject matter expert.

• Perform first‑article and in‑process hand inspection using calipers, micrometers, gauges, and other standard metrology tools.
• Verify parts to engineering drawings and models, document non‑conformances and support engineering dispositioning of deviations.

• Collaborate with engineers on the assembly of prototype hardware, providing machining expertise during fit‑up and integration.
• Perform minor modifications and rework during assembly as required to meet design intent.

• Train engineers and Innovation Lab staff on the safe and effective use of composite materials, tools, and methods
• Support a parallel‑pathing culture where engineers can contribute to prototyping tasks under supervision, increasing prototype throughput.
• Develop best‑practice documentation for Lab manufacturing projects.

• Minimum 7 years of hands‑on composites or machining experience, with significant time in a prototype, R&D, or job‑shop environment.
• Demonstrated experience operating manual mills and lathes to produce precision prototype parts.
• Ability to independently create work holding solutions, write offset sheets, and develop setups.
• Proficiency reading and interpreting complex engineering drawings, GD&T callouts, and 3D CAD models.
• Proficiency with hand inspection tools (calipers, micrometers, bore gauges, height gauges).
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills; comfortable working alongside engineers and technical staff daily.

• Experience in an R&D, aerospace, defense, or advanced manufacturing innovation environment.
• Exposure to 5‑axis mill or mill‑turn programming in…