Test Engineer II

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. Firefly is looking for passionate, hardworking innovators to join our team and help fuel our successful trajectory into space. This position is located at our manufacturing and test facility in Briggs, TX north of Austin, TX.

SUMMARY

This entry level position is for the engineer looking to get in on the ground floor of spacecraft and launch vehicle testing. If you're the type who used to take apart the family lawnmower "just to see how it works", the this position is for you. Entry level test engineers can expect to work on Firefly's Component, Structures, Engines or Stage Test Stands. Test Engineers partner with responsible engineers from across all programs (Alpha, A330/MLV, Blue Ghost and Elytra) and across the company to test and validate hardware in the pursuit of developing, qualifying and accepting flight components. The test team not only supports testing, but also launch operations at Firefly's SLC-2W Launch Site. Engineers learn the ropes and fundamentals of operations at our Briggs test site, then leverage these skills to put Firefly hardware into space. Firefly is a new aerospace company, full of creative and talented people, and the engineers in Launch and Test are the where the “Lox hits the TEA-TEB”.

Engineers on this team are responsible for not just partnering with their fellow engineers to hash out plans to test components to their flight-like limits, but also developing the required infrastructure, mechanical, electrical and software, to support these tests. Engineers are expected to be fast on their feet, adaptive and responsive to challenges. They are expected to be in the field, working in hands on and time sensitive applications. Operations Engineers are expected to be self-sufficient, driven and highly motivated engineers up for learning new skills and taking on challenges to excel.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Integrate, instrument and test Rocket and Spacecraft components and assemblies using our world class test stands and test software suite
• Optimize and implement improvements in testing, component workflow, data review and automation
• Work daily test stand operations
  • Execute test plans and procedures on console, using voice comm systems and data display and control systems
  • Work directly with vehicle and component engineers to develop and release formal Test Plans
  • Develop test procedures to check out and operate launch vehicle systems, subsystems and individual components
  • 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 with a focus on automation
  • Diagnose & Rework small to medium problems on stand involving Fluids, 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 GSE engineers to optimize test and launch systems designs and operation
  • Identify continuous improvement opportunities for performance, reliability, and cost
• Potentially travel to launch site for Integrated vehicle operations, up to and including launch. Travel up to 40%.

QUALIFICATIONS

Required

• BS in Engineering or related engineering discipline
• 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
• Experience coding in Python, Go, Javascript, or similar object-oriented language
• Experience using data analysis tools and numerical methods to solve real world problems. i.e. Python (numpy, pandas, matplotlib), R, or MATLAB
• Familiarity with
  • Instrumentation and instrumentation deployment methods
  • Data acquisition and control methods, and data analysis tools
  • Data analysis and processing up to and including custom code development and implementation
• 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. (Max, 25%)

Desired

• Experience with one or more of the following
  • Hydraulics, actuators & load cells with a desire to crush, bend, twist and compress advanced composite structures
  • Propulsion testing, preferably with cryogenics
  • Launch Vehicle testing or launch operations
• Intimate understanding of fluid and combustion fundamentals
• In depth understanding of Data Acquisition and Control systems including instrumentation, wiring and programming
• Experience programming programmable logic controllers, setting up human machine interfaces, motion controllers, signal conditioners, or data acquisition systems
• Fluent in at least 1 programing language
• Database experience with PostgreSQL, InfluxDB, SQL Server or similar database technologies
• Familiarity with full-stack software design principles, including front-end frameworks, APIs, and database integration
• Experience automating data processing and report generation
• Experience building, troubleshooting or operating fluid and electrical systems, including the use of multimeters, signal generators, oscilloscopes, HIPOT and other circuit test equipment.
• Ability to read and understand technical drawings, including GD&T and P&IDs
• Independent, driven and able to develop solutions with minimal guidance and oversight
• Able to prioritize and execute tasks in a high pressure fast-paced environment

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, pet Insurance, 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