Test Specialist

Job description

ABOUT FIREFLY AEROSPACE Firefly Aerospace is a space and defense technology company on a mission to reliably and repeatedly launch, land, and operate space systems from Earth to the Moon and beyond. As the partner of choice for critical space missions, Firefly is the first commercial company to launch a satellite to orbit with 24-hour notice and the first company to achieve a successful Moon landing. 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 Test Specialist is a highly experienced, hands-on individual contributor responsible for independently executing assigned technical projects that support test operations, flight hardware, ground support equipment, and launch readiness. This role applies extensive practical knowledge of instrumentation, hardware integration, troubleshooting, and test operations to resolve complex challenges and deliver reliable operational solutions. Working with a high degree of initiative and accountability, the Test Specialist carries management assigned projects from technical problem identification through solution development, implementation, validation, documentation, and final handoff to operations. The position does not have direct personnel management responsibility but may coordinate technical activities, equipment, materials, and resources necessary to complete assigned work. All activities must comply with applicable management approvals, engineering approvals, configuration control practices, operational safety requirements, and established test procedures. Responsibilities include but are not limited to: Independently execute specialized, management assigned technical projects supporting test operations, instrumentation, flight hardware, ground support equipment, and launch site readiness. Identify complex technical challenges; develop, evaluate, implement, and validate reliable solutions with limited day to day oversight. Serve as a technical subject matter resource for advanced instrumentation, test hardware integration, electrical troubleshooting, data acquisition, and test system functionality. Design, fabricate, modify, and validate specialized test harnessing, fixtures, stands, instrumentation installations, and supporting equipment in accordance with approved engineering requirements. Develop and improve test procedures, work instructions, checkout processes, and technical documentation to improve safety, repeatability, reliability, and operational efficiency. Lead technical troubleshooting during test and launch operations, determine root cause of failures or discrepancies, and coordinate with engineering and operations personnel to implement approved corrective actions. Plan and execute instrumentation installation, checkout, calibration verification, proofing, leak checks, electrical validation, and functional testing for complex test articles and support systems. Coordinate technical activities, equipment, materials, and support resources required for assigned projects. This role has no direct personnel management responsibility. Provide technical guidance, cross training, and mentorship to Test Technicians in specialized instrumentation, test methods, troubleshooting, and safe work practices. Ensure assigned projects and technical activities comply with applicable engineering approvals, configuration control requirements, operational safety requirements, and established test procedures. Create complete project documentation and operational handoff packages, including procedures, drawings or redlines, training materials, lessons learned, and maintenance or support requirements. Support launch pad operations through advanced troubleshooting, configuration verification, readiness validation, and resolution of technical issues affecting flight hardware and ground support systems. Identify and implement opportunities to improve test capability, reduce operational risk, increase system reliability, and improve test execution efficiency. Accept work assignments through direct management. Requests originating outside normal priorities must be routed through the appropriate management channels before work begins. Qualifications Required Minimum 8 years of progressive hands on experience in aerospace, launch operations, manufacturing, military, automotive, energy, or another complex test environment. Demonstrated experience independently completing complex technical projects from initial problem definition through implementation, validation, documentation, and operational handoff. Advanced proficiency with multiple instrumentation types, including RTDs, strain gages, thermocouples, load cells, displacement transducers, pressure transducers, or comparable measurement systems. Demonstrated experience troubleshooting complex electrical, instrumentation, mechanical, pneumatic, hydraulic, or test system issues using a disciplined root cause approach. Experience designing, modifying, fabricating, and validating test fixtures, harnessing, instrumentation systems, test stands, or ground support equipment. Advanced ability to read, interpret, and work from electrical schematics, wiring diagrams, P and IDs, mechanical drawings, CAD models, test procedures, and engineering change documentation. Proficiency with electrical test equipment, including oscilloscopes, multimeters, insulation resistance testers, continuity testers, and related diagnostic tools. Advanced hands on wiring and harnessing experience, including soldering, crimping, connector pinout, cable routing, cable repair, shielding and grounding practices, and continuity or isolation troubleshooting. Demonstrated ability to write or substantially improve technical procedures, work instructions, test documentation, and training materials. Experience supporting hazardous or critical operations with a strong understanding of operational discipline, risk mitigation, stop work authority, and safety requirements. Proven ability to work independently, prioritize competing technical work, communicate risk and status clearly, and collaborate effectively with engineering and operations teams. Ability to lift 50 pounds, stand for extended periods, and work in a test stand, manufacturing, or launch site environment. Ability to travel up to 15 percent in support of test and launch operations. Desired Associate or bachelor’s degree in electrical, mechanical, aerospace, manufacturing, or related engineering discipline. Experience in rocket engine, propulsion, flight vehicle, ground support equipment, or launch pad test operations. Experience with data acquisition systems, signal conditioning, instrumentation calibration, test data review, and test system troubleshooting. Experience with hydraulic and pneumatic system assembly, repair, fabrication, or troubleshooting. Experience with high pressure systems, cryogenic systems, hazardous fluids, or other high consequence test operations. IPC WHMA A 620 certification, IPC A 610 certification, A and P license, or comparable technical credential. Experience with NPT, MS, AN, and Swagelok fittings; tube bending; fluid system assembly; and leak check methods. Experience with crane, lift, and rigging operations. Experience using Confluence, Jira, or similar tools for technical documentation, issue tracking, and project coordination. Experience developing and delivering technical training or mentoring less experienced technicians. Demonstrated record of implementing process improvements that increased test capability, reliability, safety, or efficiency. Performance Evaluation Performance will be evaluated based on: Successful completion of assigned technical projects. Quality, reliability, and effectiveness of implemented solutions. Ability to independently resolve complex technical challenges. Improvements to test capabilities and operational efficiency. Effective collaboration with engineering and operations personnel. Quality of technical documentation and successful transition of completed projects into operational use. Adherence to applicable safety, engineering, approval, and configuration control requirements. 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.