Launch Engineer IV, Test and Launch Operations
Firefly Aerospace · Briggs, TX
- Level
- Senior
- Team
- Production
- Degree
- Required
- Experience asked
- 7+ years
- Industry
- Aerospace & defense
- Posted
- 3 days ago
The role in 30 seconds
A senior production role at Firefly Aerospace (aerospace & defense) in Briggs, TX. A key focus will be integrating operations across subsystems and upstream processes to enable seamless execution from testing through launch.
- They ask for
- 7+ years · degree required
- Tools it names
- Root cause, Automation
Read from the posting. The full description is below.
From the plant jobs report · week of November 2, 2026
Production Engineer roles in Texas: typical posted base $106k–$145k.
Median of the low and high ends of 25 live postings that list pay, out of 119 production engineer openings in Texas, read from manufacturers' own careers sites.
Texas plant jobs report →Pay by team and state →What moves pay →
How this role compares
Against 118 other live production postings in Texas.
- Base pay
- Not listed in this posting
- Experience asked
- More than usual (7+ vs 5+)
Typical $105k–$143k, from 23 postings that list pay.
Similar roles usually ask 5+ years.
Skills these teams ask for most
- Team leadership 43%
- Lean 33%
- ✓ Root cause 25%
- Six Sigma 20%
✓ = this posting asks for it too. % = share of similar postings that mention it.
At a glance
Pulled from the posting text. If it's not listed here, the posting didn't say.
How to get in at this plant
Five moves over a week or two. The first one takes ten minutes.
- 1
Pick 2–3 people on the Production team at Firefly Aerospace
We found 9 people at this company and state: 9 in this kind of role. Engineers who joined in the last year or two reply the most. See them ↓
- 2
Send a short, curious note
One real question about their work. No favors yet. Each person gets a different note, written for this role.
Write to Ryan → (free) - 3
Turn a reply into a short call
Questions worth asking about this team:
- What does a normal week look like on your team?
- How did you land the job? What stood out in your interviews?
- 4
Apply with someone vouching for you
If the call went well, ask whether they’d pass your résumé to the hiring manager. Send your résumé link, apply that day, and let them know.
- 5
Bring proof to the interview
One page of before-and-after numbers from projects you led: scrap, OEE, cycle time, cost. Plant managers hire on results.
This plant: Firefly Aerospace in Briggs
16 other open roles at this site · 9 people we found in production roles at Firefly Aerospace.
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- Program Operations Manager - Alpha · Production · Manager
- Launch Engineer-Fluids Systems IV · Manufacturing · Senior
- Composites Manufacturing Engineer Lead · Manufacturing · Manager
- Composites Manufacturing Engineer III · Manufacturing · Senior
Full description from Firefly AerospaceAs posted on their careers site.ShowHide
Responsibilities
include authoring operational procedures, developing automation, performing console operations, and driving cross-functional improvements that enhance operational efficiency, reliability, and mission success.
Responsibilities
- ◆Lead development of company processes, guidelines, and training in test and launch operations
- ◆Develop and execute integrated test and launch operations at Briggs Test Stands (TX), Vandenberg Space Force Base (CA), Wallops Flight Facility (VA), and International Launch sites
- ◆Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to drive upgrades, efficiencies, and establish standardized processes across launch sites
- ◆Lead troubleshooting efforts, resolve anomalies that arise during operations/testing, and lead root cause investigations
- ◆Develop automation and operational software tools to support test and launch execution
- ◆Author procedures for launch pad configuration, vehicle operations, and propellant/pressurant handling during countdown operations
- ◆Develop and author operational
requirements
- ✓Provide team and program execution planning
- ✓Proposal and trade study support
- ✓Requires up to 25% travel to test and launch sites to support overall program needs
Required
- ✓Bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering, aerospace engineering, electrical engineering, or related engineering discipline
- ✓7+ years of hands-on experience in test operations, launch operations, or similar high-consequence operational environments
- ✓Experience developing systems engineering artifacts (requirements, test verification evidence, FMECAs) and utilizing systems engineering tools
- ✓Experience developing automation sequences and procedures for hazardous, time-critical, or mission-critical systems
- ✓Comfortable working in launch site environments with field testing, heavy equipment, and hazardous materials
- ✓Able to prioritize and execute tasks in a high pressure fast-paced environment
- ✓Willingness to support off-hour shifts during launch operations
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.
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About firefly aerospace
Firefly Aerospace is a space and defense technology company that enables our world to launch, land, and operate in space – anywhere, anytime. As the partner of choice for critical space missions, Firefly is the only commercial company to launch a satellite to orbit with 24-hour notice and the only company to achieve a successful Moon landing. Our launch vehicles, lunar landers, and orbital vehicles provide government and commercial customers with full mission services from low Earth orbit to 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.
Summary
The Vehicle and Launch Operations team is hiring high-impact, dynamic engineers who thrive on solving problems in diverse environments. This role will lead the development, execution, and continuous improvement of vehicle testing and launch operations across a growing portfolio of launch sites, including Wallops Flight Facility, Vandenberg Launch Site, and International Launch sites. A key focus will be integrating operations across subsystems and upstream processes to enable seamless execution from testing through launch.
Desired
- +System-level understanding of launch vehicle and ground subsystems, including fluid systems, propulsion, avionics, structures, and software/controls
- +Experience with distributed control systems or custom data acquisition and control architecture
- +Experience with standards and regulations (ASME, NFPA, NEC, AFSPCMAN 91-710, NASA-STD-5005, GSFC-STD-8009, etc.)
- +Prior experience at a federal launch range or rocket engine or vehicle test site
- +Ability to convey complex technical information clearly and concisely to technical and non-technical audiences, including executive audiences
- +Demonstrated project management experience
- +Experience developing budgets and schedules, etc.
- +Familiarity with Atlassian products (i.e., Confluence and Jira) and version control systems (i.e., SVN, Bitbucket, Git, etc.)
Firefly offers outstanding benefits for our employees, including generous health, dental and vision plans with low plan deductibles, parental leave, relocation benefits, 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.