Launch Technician

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.

About the Role

Firefly Mechanical/Fluid Technicians within the launch group will be responsible for the fabrication, operation and maintenance of launch site mechanical and fluid systems. You will also be part of launch day activities and help launch the rockets. You will work as part of a small team requiring minimal supervision, so a self-starter is a must!

What You’ll Do

• Performs work according to policy, procedures, and specifications.
• Performs welding processes on aluminum and steel parts, assemblies, piping to required tolerances using welding metals and metal alloys.
• Determine layouts and welds parts, assemblies, piping to engineering drawings and specifications.
• Reads complex piping and instrumentation diagrams and shop drawings for the purpose of installation, troubleshooting and repairing of major systems and minor subsystems and components.
• Troubleshoots, installs, and maintains various fluid system components, including level sensors, flow meters, gauges, regulators, safety reliefs and valves.
• Performs tube, piping and conduit installation for fluid system fabrication, upgrades and modifications.
• Installs, removes, and tags out equipment for test or repair and safety of personnel and equipment.
• Utilizes a wide range of mechanical and test tools including wrenches, sockets, torque wrenches, calipers, micrometers, plug & pin gage, dewpoint meter, while performing work to specifications, to identify problems and to maintain and calibrate equipment to performance standards.
• Executes procedures to operate pad systems as required for launch and checkout operations
• Assists with development of activation, operations and maintenance procedures.
• Safety checks and operates heavy equipment such boom lift, scissor life, forklift and reach lift.
• Performs general housekeeping and continuous improvement of the appearance of the site.
• Perhaps, performs launch site fluid and mechanical system configurations for test and launch operations and supports launch day red team.
• Travels to test and launch sites as required to support the overall program.

What We’re Looking For

Required

• High School Diploma or GED
• 3+ years of relevant welding experience MIG, Stick and Flux Core
• Required to be certified to our internal standards and pass a D1.1 test in FCAW and SMAW within 3-months of hire date.
• 3+ years of experience working with and troubleshooting mechanical systems, high pressure fluid/pneumatic systems, or heavy equipment
• 3+ years of experience using power tools, hand tools, and calibrated tooling
• General knowledge of shop practices including layout, drilling, sawing, grinding, etc.
• Basic computer skills, including experience using Microsoft Office, JIRA, and photo generation/compilation
• Ability to pass Air Force background checks for Vandenberg AFB, CA.
• Must be comfortable stooping and bending, as well as standing for long periods of time to support test and launch day operations.
• Ability to work at elevated heights (up to 100 feet).
• Ability to work in varying climate environments, heat, cold, rain.
• Ability to lift and carry 30 pounds unassisted.

Desired

• Associate degree in an engineering, technical, or mechanical field.
• 5+ years of relevant welding experience.
• Experience building and welding heavy structural steel 3/4”-1” plate
• Adept at troubleshooting and diagnosing problems with mechanical equipment with the ability to apply a resolution in a timely fashion.
• Ability to write routine reports, solve practical problems, and clearly communicate tasks and needs, and training of other personnel.
• Experience with crane and lift operations
• Knowledge of different fittings such as NPT, MS, and A/N and Swagelok
• Ability to read, and understand operating system schematics and drawings

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.