Alpha Launch Vehicle Chief Engineer

Company: Firefly Aerospace
Location: Cedar Park
Posted on: April 4, 2021

Job Description:

Career Opportunities with Firefly Aerospace Come be a part of the 21 st --Century Space Race! Careers At Firefly Aerospace Share with friends or Subscribe! Current job opportunities are posted here as they become available. Subscribe to our RSS feeds to receive instant updates as new positions become available. Come be a part of the 21 st Century Space Race!--At Firefly, we are focused on the leading edge of space systems progression. Our company is committed to providing economical and convenient access to space for small and medium payloads through the design, analysis, manufacture, integration, testing and operation of reliable launch vehicles as well as spacecraft. To get there, we are looking for incredibly passionate, bright, and determined people to join our team. SUMMARY As the Alpha Launch Vehicle Chief Engineer, you will leverage your singular creative and technical expertise to manage the further technical development of the Alpha Launch Vehicle from its first flight "Block 1" architecture, to the most reliable, cost efficient, and operationally efficient vehicle in its class. You will interact with all the technical departments, designers, analysts, integration, test and launch teams to ensure the initial vehicle architecture is further developed to meet Block 2 and 3 performance targets and launch costs. The role includes managing technical change strategies and implementation, of such areas as propulsion improvements, vehicle mass reductions, reusability development, transition to an Automated Flight Termination System, as well as avionics architecture optimization. You will be responsible to validate system architectural changes through a robust series of tests, manage design configuration between departments, update test and launch procedures, and see the vehicle upgrades through successful launch, orbit and eventually first stage recovery. You will be expected to be able to speak knowledgeably about the current system configuration and provide status updates on performance, changes, schedule and risk tracking. You will lead the technical development of this program and create the most reliable and cost efficient small-medium class Launch Vehicle ever flown. You will also be expected to lead a small team of stage responsible engineers to assist in this effort, and to work with them to continue to manage Alpha through continued successful launches. RESPONSIBILIITES

• --Perform technical trade studies and change reviews to develop an integrated upgrade strategy for the Alpha launch vehicle in order to create the small-medium class launcher that is unsurpassed for reliability and cost in its class
• Lead a small team of systems engineers to develop key vehicle parameters, interface management, requirements definition, technical performance metrics, risk management, integration management, system-level analysis, and system-level trades of the launch vehicle architecture so that technical departments can execute to those requirements and vision
• Work closely with the Alpha Launch Vehicle Program Manager, Production, Launch and Business Development teams to optimally transition Alpha through its upgrades with minimal impact.
• Develop the technical development road map for Alpha Vehicle upgrades, including the development of core key technologies required for program success
• Manage and maintain system-level design schematics, interface control documents and performance budgets including mass, fluid, electrical and software architectures
• Rely on your technical breath to identify design gaps and manage sub-system interactions - i.e. be the focal point for all vehicle level technical issues
• Manage the change ticket system with respect to Alpha Launch Vehicle changes and implementation. Assisting system directors cascade the performance and reliability changes helping program maintain flight cadence and schedule
• Support external development efforts through corporate presentations, proposals, and exploratory trades to enforce the diverse and global portfolio of Firefly products across the NewSpace market Maintain a positive, professional, upbeat, and fresh environment for fellow team members, and be a source of intrinsic motivation for team success!
• Providing not only technical but also personal support and advice wherever needed during fast pace / high stress situations
• Identify and drive design or operational problems to resolution in order to facilitate reliable and successful operations.
• Work closely with the Beta Vehicle Chief Engineer to develop common best practices for both systems, and common components and software architecture where applicable. Sharing lessons learnt across vehicles
• Work closely with the Alpha-Global Chief Engineer to create an optimized launch vehicle and ground system to ensure rapid, reliable, automated and cost-efficient launch.
• Coordinate with Alpha Launch Vehicle Program Manager to ensure shared Firefly resources (personnel & infrastructure) are allocated in order to execute technical goals aligned with the program schedule QUALITIES Required
  • BS in Aerospace Engineering or related engineering discipline required
  • 6+ years of focused hands-on experience in an interdisciplinary launch vehicle engineering development and operations role
  • Experience leading technical teams from project conception through implementation, and preferably steady production
  • Exceptional comprehension of first principles in the following engineering disciplines; mechanical, structural dynamics, materials, electrical, mechatronics, thermodynamics, fluid dynamics, orbital mechanics, controls, guidance and navigation and propulsion
  • Strong working knowledge of ASME, MIL, ASTM, and NASA Standards, as well as Systems Engineering best practices - able to adapt processes to meet the needs of the team and adjust to NewSpace standards
  • Strong working knowledge of fabrication and assembly methodologies, production management tools, and quality control processes
  • Experience in CAD, scripting languages, process automation and/or MBSE
  • Exceptional public speaking and presentation skills
  • Exhibits a strong passion for spaceflight, thirst for knowledge, and internal drive for success
  • Amenable to travel and schedule flexibility leading up to program milestones
  • Able to self-task and execute in a high-pressure fast-paced environment
  • MS in Aerospace Engineering or Related Disciplines
  • Demonstrated ability to balance system performance optimization, with production and operations business requirements
  • Familiar and passionate about NewSpace and the changes eluded to space flight
  • Ability to perform under high stress environments while maintaining and transferring calm to the team
  • Ability to be a strong listener, able to listen, discern, challenge, and bring the best ideas to the forefront 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.

Keywords: Firefly Aerospace, Cedar Park , Alpha Launch Vehicle Chief Engineer, Engineering , Cedar Park, Texas