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Firefly Aerospace · 5 months ago

Launch Engineer, Telemetry

Cedar park, TX

Full-time

Onsite

Mid, Senior Level

5+ years exp

Firefly Aerospace is an end-to-end responsive space company focused on enabling launches and operations in space. They are seeking a Telemetry Engineer to lead the development of ground telemetry systems for responsive launch operations, including designing RF systems and configuring telemetry networks.

AerospaceAir TransportationSatellite Communication

No H1B

Security Clearance Required

U.S. Citizen Only

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

Qualification

Telemetry ground station designRF systems knowledgeTelemetry/RF/telecom systemsMission planning toolsProject management experienceRegulationsCloud-based telemetry pipelinesSoftware-defined radiosAtlassian products familiarityCommunication skillsHands-on experience

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

Preferred

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.)