Launch Engineer, Telemetry

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.

SUMMARY

We are looking for a Telemetry Engineer to lead the development and execution of ground telemetry systems in support of responsive launch operations. This person will be responsible for standing up telemetry ground stations, internalizing telemetry data processing, and helping define the future architecture for Responsive Telemetry — enabling increased launch cadence and more flexible mission support.

Day-to-day responsibilities will include designing RF and data systems, configuring telemetry networks, troubleshooting live campaigns, and developing long-term strategies for ground telemetry autonomy. The ideal candidate brings deep RF and PCM expertise, hands-on field experience, and an eagerness to shape scalable telemetry infrastructure.

Must-have skills include: telemetry ground station design, RF systems knowledge, and familiarity with launch operations or aerospace telemetry networks.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Design and implement new telemetry ground station infrastructure at future launch sites, including Vandenberg Space Force Base, Wallops Flight Facility, and other sites worldwide
• Lead efforts to bring telemetry processing in-house, reducing dependency on external assets
• Analyze and execute strategies for achieving Responsive Telemetry to support rapid launch cadence (link budgets, interference, coverage, etc.)
• Gather requirements from internal and external stakeholders to ensure telemetry solutions meet program goals within budget and schedule constraints
• Integrate telemetry systems with flight hardware and mission control environments
• Analyze, troubleshoot, and optimize real-time data acquisition and processing systems during launch campaigns
• Collaborate with customers, external stakeholders, and design teams to ensure interoperability and compliance with regulatory and range safety requirements
• Support site activation and test operations, including RF validation and range checkouts
• Write and execute procedures to support the operation and maintenance of telemetry systems
• Provide technical write-ups for proposals and tailoring of regulations
• Requires up to 25% travel to test and launch sites to support overall program needs

QUALIFICATIONS

Required

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Systems Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or related field is preferred. Relevant experience and demonstrated technical ability without degree are also acceptable.
• 5+ years of experience with detailed design and operation of telemetry/RF/telecom systems
• Proficiency with mission planning tools (de-commutators, RF analyzers, link margin analysis tools, etc.)
• Ability to convey complex technical information clearly and concisely to technical and non-technical audiences.
• Hands-on experience with RF chain components: antennas, antenna control units, transmitters, receivers, filters, recorders, and serial data distribution
• Comfortable working in launch site environments with field testing, lifting equipment, and exposure to RF emissions
• Willingness to support off-hour shifts during launch operations (nights/weekends as needed)
• Demonstrated project management experience, including vendor management, ability to communicate with senior leaders, development of budgets and schedules, etc.
• Previous space launch, space operations, range operations or ground station experience
• Basic working knowledge of standards and regulations (AFSPCMAN 91-710, NASA-STD-5005, GSFC-STD-8009, RCC 319/324, FCC licensing, CCSDS, etc.)
• Ability to obtain a security clearance

Desired

• Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Systems Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or related field is preferred. Relevant experience and demonstrated technical ability without degree are also acceptable.
• Familiarity with real-time data transport protocols, cloud-based telemetry pipelines, or TMoIP architectures
• Background with a diverse set of RF modulation/encryption types, including SOQPSK
• Prior experience at a federal launch range (e.g., VSFB, CCSFS, WFF, KSC) or with DoD/FAA telemetry systems
• Exposure to software-defined radios (SDRs) and/or telemetry automation frameworks
• Familiarity with Atlassian products (i.e., Confluence and Jira) and version control systems (i.e., SVN, Bitbucket, etc.)

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.