Structures Test Engineer II

ABOUT FIREFLY AEROSPACE

As an end-to-end responsive space company, Firefly Aerospace is on a mission to enable our world to launch, land, and operate in space – anywhere, anytime. Our small- to medium-lift launch vehicles, lunar landers, and orbital vehicles allow us to service the entire lifecycle of government and commercial missions from low Earth orbit to the Moon and beyond. We utilize carbon composite structures, patented propulsion technologies, and common components across our vehicles to iterate quickly, improve reliability, and deliver payloads at a lower cost.

This mid level position is for the engineer who loves the idea of operating, maintaining, and designing machines purposed with proving out the structural design and manufacturing of cutting-edge space craft. This position is for those who are inclined to work with their hands to solve problems in real time. The most successful people in this role have a solid engineering knowledge foundation and are driven by making a real, physical impact.

Every day is different on Firefly’s Structures Test Team due to having dozens of various test articles to put through their paces. Engineers in this role will oversee the transport, installation, and testing of articles as a part of our cutting-edge test facility. The focus of this position is to apply aerodynamic loads with some cases including cryogenic and pressurization simulants;
Structures Test does it all to ensure the mission-ready status of Firefly’s spacecraft, for here on Earth and on our missions to the Moon.

Engineers on this team develop and modify test infrastructure including mechanical, electrical, and software systems. They also work side-by-side with a team of razor-sharp technicians and vehicle engineers to continuously push the limits of what is possible regarding efficiency and quality of the testing environment.

• Integrate, instrument, handle, and test rocket and spacecraft airframes to prove mission-worthiness.

• Optimize and implement improvements in testing, component workflow, data review and automation.

• Drive test stand efficiency by creating and implementing predictive data analytics.

• Ownership of daily test stand operations

  • Execute test plans and procedures on console, utilizing voice comms, data displays, and digital control systems.

  • Work directly with vehicle structural engineers to develop and release formal Test Plans.

  • Develop test procedures to validate the design and manufacture of airframe spaceflight worthiness.

  • Participate in resolving any issues and non-conformances that arise during operations.

  • 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 by implementing automation and streamlining procedural processes

  • 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 and execute system validations, activations, upgrades and other tests required to ensure the 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

• Subject Matter Expert for Test Stand Systems

  • Provide mentorship to those with less experience

  • Act as a source of truth for those systems when asked to solve new problems

Required

• BS in Engineering, Physics, or related engineering discipline

• 4 Years of relevant experience.

• Works well in a collaborative multidisciplinary environment

• Exceptional comprehension of engineering fundamentals

• Exceptional writing and verbal communication skills

• Experience with 3D and 2D CAD software

• 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. (Max, 25%)

Desired

• MS in Engineering, Physics, or related…