Prototype Technician IV (Innovation Lab)

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 only commercial company to launch a satellite to orbit with 24-hour notice and the only 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.

About Gloworks

The Gloworks Innovation team is located within the Firefly CTO office and seeks to advance novel technology to TRL>5 so that it can be deployed to Engineering, as well as owns small technology and vehicle programs that fall beyond the scope of the Elytra, Blue Ghost, Alpha, and Eclipse program focus.

SUMMARY

Firefly is looking for experienced builders with a background in manufacturing launch vehicles and spacecraft to collaborate with Innovation engineers to build prototype hardware within our Gloworks Innovation Lab. You will be part of a small, lean, highly skilled and dynamic team that will involve you in all aspects of prototype manufacturing, from machining, composites, manufacturing-engineering support, design-for-manufacturing, assembling and testing mechanisms, fabrication, and testing. Excellent collaboration and communication skills, along with a positive attitude are critical.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Key Responsibilities

Composites Workcell

• Lead the setup and operation of a composites work cell within the Gloworks lab

• Lead and execute key decision non equipment, processes, and methods to ensure successful operation of the composites work cell.
• Develop and lead the building of necessary tooling and fixturing to enable successful composite prototype production within Gloworks

Manual Machining

• Set up and operate manual mills and lathes for one-off prototype features, secondary operations, and rapid design iterations.

• Apply sound machining practice and craftsmanship to maintain tight tolerances on manual equipment.

Design for Manufacturability (DFM) Advisory

• Engage with engineers early in the design process to provide DFM guidance that reduces lead time and cost without compromising design intent.

• Identify manufacturability risks and propose alternative geometries or processes to accelerate the prototype cycle.

• Participate in design reviews and engineering meetings as the manufacturing subject matter expert.

Inspection & Quality

• Perform first-article and in-process hand inspection using calipers, micrometers, gauges, and other standard metrology tools.

• Verify parts to engineering drawings and models, document non-conformances and support engineering dispositioning of deviations.

Prototype Assembly Support

• Collaborate with engineers on the assembly of prototype hardware, providing machining expertise during fit-up and integration.

• Perform minor modifications and rework during assembly as required to meet design intent.

Training & Knowledge Transfer

• Train engineers and Innovation Lab staff on the safe and effective use of composite materials, tools, and methods

• Support a parallel-pathing culture where engineers can contribute to prototyping tasks under supervision, increasing prototype throughput.

• Develop best-practice documentation for Lab manufacturing projects.

Required Qualifications

• Minimum 7 years of hands-on composites or machining experience, with significant time in a prototype, R&D, or job-shop environment.

• Demonstrated experience operating manual mills and lathes to produce precision prototype parts.

• Ability to independently create workholding solutions, write offset sheets, and develop setups.

• Proficiency reading and interpreting complex engineering drawings, GD&T callouts, and 3D CAD models.

• Proficiency with hand inspection tools (calipers, micrometers, bore gauges, height gauges).

• Strong communication and interpersonal skills; comfortable working alongside engineers and technical staff daily.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in an R&D, aerospace, defense, or advanced manufacturing innovation environment.

• Exposure to 5-axis mill or mill-turn programming in Mastercam or equivalent CAM system.

• CMM operation or other advanced metrology equipment experience.

Work Environment & Physical Requirements

This position is performed on-site in an active machine shop within the Innovation Lab. The role requires prolonged standing, lifting of workpieces and tooling (up to 50 lbs), and the use of personal protective equipment at all times. The environment is fast-paced and highly collaborative; flexibility to support shifting program priorities and accelerated prototype timelines is essential to success in this role.

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.

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