SUMMARY As the Launch Vehicles Ground Software Manager at Firefly Aerospace, you will lead the team responsible for designing, developing, deploying, and operating the software systems that enable Firefly's launch vehicles test and launch operations. You will manage the engineers who build mission-critical ground software used to command, monitor, and automate launch vehicle processing, engine testing, integrated vehicle testing, countdown, and launch.
This role combines technical leadership with organizational management. You will be responsible for building and leading a high-performing engineering organization while driving the technical architecture, execution strategy, and long-term evolution of Firefly's launch vehicle ground software capabilities.
Working closely with avionics, flight software, propulsion, systems engineering, launch operations, IT, and safety teams, you will ensure Firefly's ground software provides reliable, scalable, and secure command-and-control capabilities for both ground hardware and launch vehicles throughout development, test, and flight operations.
RESPONSIBILITIES - Lead the Launch Vehicle Ground Software team supporting engine testing, vehicle integration, launch site operations, countdown, launch, and post-launch activities.
- Own all aspects of team staffing including recruiting, hiring, onboarding, mentoring, career development, and performance management.
- Establish technical vision and software architecture for Firefly's launch vehicle ground systems.
- Guide development of service-oriented and distributed software architectures supporting mission-critical operations.
- Oversee execution across software requirements, architecture, implementation, verification, validation, deployment, and operational support.
- Coordinate software development supporting launch pads, test stands, hardware-in-the-loop environments, and integrated vehicle testing.
- Partner with systems engineering to define operational concepts, software requirements, interfaces, verification strategies, and system architectures.
- Ensure software systems provide reliable command, control, telemetry processing, automation, visualization, and health monitoring for launch vehicle operations.
- Drive software deployment strategies across development, integration, test, and production operational environments.
- Establish and maintain software engineering processes including architecture reviews, design reviews, configuration management, release management, verification, and operational readiness.
- Travel to and support launch campaigns, major test events, anomaly investigations, mission rehearsals, and real-time launch operations.
- Manage team staffing plans, technical roadmaps, and long-term capability investments.
- Foster a culture focused on engineering excellence, operational reliability, safety, continuous improvement, and collaboration.
QUALIFICATIONS Required - BS in Computer Science, Software Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Systems Engineering, or related technical discipline.
- 10+ years of experience developing or delivering software for mission-critical, industrial control, aerospace, defense, robotics, launch vehicle, spacecraft, or other high-reliability systems.
- 5+ years of experience leading technical engineering teams with direct management responsibilities.
- Demonstrated experience delivering complex command-and-control software systems supporting hardware integration and operational environments.
- Strong understanding of distributed software architectures, service-oriented systems, and modern software deployment models.
- Experience working with real-time telemetry, command, automation, or control systems.
- Experience integrating software with physical hardware including sensors, actuators, instrumentation, communications equipment, or RF systems.
- Familiarity with LabVIEW, Python, or similar engineering software environments.
- Demonstrated systems engineering experience translating operational needs into software architectures and technical execution plans.
- Experience managing software development throughout the full system lifecycle including requirements, architecture, verification, validation, deployment, and operations.
- Proven experience recruiting, mentoring, and developing engineering talent.
- Excellent communication skills with the ability to communicate technical concepts across engineering disciplines, customers, and executive leadership.
Desired - Experience with launch vehicle, spacecraft, missile, aviation, or other aerospace ground systems.
- Experience developing or managing software used for launch operations, mission operations, or large-scale industrial control systems.
- Familiarity with service-oriented architectures, microservices, containerization, and orchestration technologies such as Docker and Kubernetes.
- Experience applying model-based or specification-driven engineering approaches, including the use of AI to translate system requirements into software artifacts, test cases, and implementation guidance.
- Experience with cloud infrastructure including AWS.
- Experience with high-volume telemetry systems, messaging architectures, or time-series databases.
- Experience with networking, cybersecurity, identity management, and secure deployment of operational systems.
- Experience supporting operational readiness reviews, launch campaigns, or real-time engineering support.
- Advanced degree in Computer Science, Aerospace Engineering, Systems Engineering, or related technical field.
- Active security clearance or eligibility to obtain one.
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.
