Manager, Launch Vehicle Stage Test

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.

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.

• 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 elevate 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

• 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%)

• 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
• Famil…