SUMMARYFirefly seeks a highly motivated leader to shepherd our fast-paced Vandenberg Launch Operations and Facilities team through each launch cycle. A successful candidate enjoys leading multi-disciplinary teams to deep dive technical problems and is comfortable attending to customer/range presentations to ensure all external needs our met. Launch Operations are the last step in any launch vehicle value stream and require precision in every operation.
RESPONSIBILITIES- Direct launch campaigns from pre-vehicle arrival pad preparations, integrated vehicle checkouts and on-pad launch operations
- Lead daily tagups for vehicle and pad campaign operations to ensure pad and vehicle work is on track.
- Manage pad preventative maintenance team to maximize pad availability and reduce operational costs
- Identify opportunities to reduce launch campaign durations and scope
- Work with vehicle and operations teams to ensure all relevant procedures, documentation and tools are updated for vehicle or site upgrades
- Develop weekly operating rhythm to ensure pad maintenance, repairs and updates are on track to complete prior to vehicle arrival
- Work with program team to develop Integrated Master Schedule for the vehicle and pad operations for each flight
- Lead intermittent schedule status reviews with the Program Managers and executive leadership showing progress, forecast and schedule metrics
- Develop financial and resource budgets to meet program directed launch cadences and upgrades
- Participate or lead hiring activities for the launch operations and facility team members
- Coordinate with SLD/30 Safety Teams to guarantee deliverables, reviews and support for each mission
- Coordinate with on base Operations teams 2ROPS, 2SLS etc for each mission
- Ensure that all documentation, coordination, contracts, commodities and other required items are established and in place for each launch campaign
QUALIFICATIONSRequired- Minimum of a Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Project Engineering or Aircraft Operations (equivalent military or operations experience may meet desire)
- Experience leading multi-disciplinary engineering and operations teams
- 5+ years of experience in aerospace leadership across complex systems
- Exceptional computer skills (MS Excel, MS Project, MS Visio)
- Strong communication skills in technical work environments
- Experience with Atlassian products like Confluence & Jira
Desired- 5+ yrs running console operations for integrated vehicle and pad operations
- Familiarity with version control systems like SVN, Bitbucket, etc
- Prior launch vehicle operations at test or launch facilities
- Working knowledge of data viewing tools in Python, LabView, Matlab, etc
- Experience in development and/or operations of launch vehicles
- USG and Commercial launch proposal support
- Familiarity with AFSPCMAN 91-710, RCC 319/324
Compensation: $195,000-240,000/year
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. 
