Test Specialist, Engineering

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 first commercial company to launch a satellite to orbit with 24-hour notice and the first 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 Test Specialist is a highly experienced, hands-on individual contributor responsible for independently executing assigned technical projects that support test operations, flight hardware, ground support equipment, and launch readiness. This role applies extensive practical knowledge of instrumentation, hardware integration, troubleshooting, and test operations to resolve complex challenges and deliver reliable operational solutions.

Working with a high degree of initiative and accountability, the Test Specialist carries management assigned projects from technical problem identification through solution development, implementation, validation, documentation, and final handoff to operations. The position does not have direct personnel management responsibility but may coordinate technical activities, equipment, materials, and resources necessary to complete assigned work. All activities must comply with applicable management approvals, engineering approvals, configuration control practices, operational safety requirements, and established test procedures.

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Independently execute specialized, management assigned technical projects supporting test operations, instrumentation, flight hardware, ground support equipment, and launch site readiness.
• Identify complex technical challenges; develop, evaluate, implement, and validate reliable solutions with limited day to day oversight.
• Serve as a technical subject matter resource for advanced instrumentation, test hardware integration, electrical troubleshooting, data acquisition, and test system functionality.
• Design, fabricate, modify, and validate specialized test harnessing, fixtures, stands, instrumentation installations, and supporting equipment in accordance with approved engineering requirements.
• Develop and improve test procedures, work instructions, checkout processes, and technical documentation to improve safety, repeatability, reliability, and operational efficiency.
• Lead technical troubleshooting during test and launch operations, determine root cause of failures or discrepancies, and coordinate with engineering and operations personnel to implement approved corrective actions.
• Plan and execute instrumentation installation, checkout, calibration verification, proofing, leak checks, electrical validation, and functional testing for complex test articles and support systems.
• Coordinate technical activities, equipment, materials, and support resources required for assigned projects. This role has no direct personnel management responsibility.
• Provide technical guidance, cross training, and mentorship to Test Technicians in specialized instrumentation, test methods, troubleshooting, and safe work practices.
• Ensure assigned projects and technical activities comply with applicable engineering approvals, configuration control requirements, operational safety requirements, and established test procedures.
• Create complete project documentation and operational handoff packages, including procedures, drawings or redlines, training materials, lessons learned, and maintenance or support requirements.
• Support launch pad operations through advanced troubleshooting, configuration verification, readiness validation, and resolution of technical issues affecting flight hardware and ground support systems.
• Identify and implement opportunities to improve test capability, reduce operational risk, increase system reliability, and improve test execution efficiency.
• Accept work assignments through direct management. Requests originating outside normal priorities must be routed through the appropriate management channels before work begins.

• Minimum 8 years of progressive hands on experience in aerospace, launch operations, manufacturing, military, automotive, energy, or another complex test environment.
• Demonstrated experience independently completing complex technical projects from initial…