Senior Technical Program Manager – Launch Site Quality & Production Operations
Firefly Aerospace· startup· Aerospace & Defense· Oct 1, 2026 · 27d ago
Vandenberg Space Force Base, CA
In office
Full-time
Senior
$180K–$216K
3+ years exp
Job description
As a Senior Technical Program Manager (TPM) of Launch Site Quality, you will establish the foundational blueprint for launch site mission assurance. This is a pioneering role focused on assisting and leading multi-faceted quality activities from the ground up. You will actively drive the build, infrastructure activation, and implementation of various rocket launch sites. As production scales, you will transition to managing the daily technical operations and quality execution of live vehicle launch campaigns. You will serve as a cross-functional bridge, partnering with launch operations, engineering, and regulatory bodies to transition complex aerospace infrastructure from construction into a reliable, certified production state.
Position Details
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Location: Vandenberg, CA launch sites or Austin, TX metro area (Relocation Assistance available).
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Travel Expectation: Approximately 75% initially. This will fluctuate depending on launch status and new site standups. Major locations include Southern California, Virginia, and potential sites.
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Classification: Full-time, Exempt.
Key Responsibilities
Site Build, Implementation & Activation
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Partner closely with launch engineering teams to establish quality baselines, build pipelines, and infrastructure at brand-new launch sites. Architect and implement the quality management system (QMS) framework directly at the launch site to prepare facilities for successful AS9100 certification. Act as a technical trailblazer to define, document, and scale Program Quality roles, responsibilities, and procedural requirements across emerging test stands and integration facilities.
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Transition completed sites into active production states, leading tactical, hands-on quality management tasks at the launch pad. Oversee hardware and vehicle integration, final pad closeouts, fueling system verification, and post-flight quality data reviews. Lead rigorous Root Cause Corrective Action (RCCA) processes to resolve live production non-conformances and ensure launch schedule reliability.
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Author, implement, and enforce the quality procedures, hazard analyses, and verification methods necessary to satisfy strict range safety protocols. Maintain rigorous alignment with federal and commercial requirements, ensuring compliance frameworks meet or exceed AFSPCMAN 91-110, RCC 319, or FAA Part 450 regulations.
Required Qualifications
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Experience: Minimum 3+ years in aerospace mission assurance. A significant portion must be dedicated to active launch site operations, test environments, or flightline campaigns. Included is Direct technical experience writing or implementing procedures to clear Range Safety requirements.
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Proven track record building, implementing, or scaling a QMS framework from the ground up to meet AS9100 standards. Bachelor’s degree in an engineering discipline, OR 7+ years of verified, elite-level launch site quality experience in lieu of a degree.
Preferred Qualifications
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Pioneering Track Record: Experience acting as a foundational quality engineer or "first-hire" during an early-stage commercial launch vehicle campaign with strong hands-on understanding of complex aerospace hardware systems, including fluids (cryogenics, high-pressure gas), ordnance handling, and flight avionics integration.
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Audit Expertise: Active or prior experience acting as a lead auditor for AS9100 registrar evaluations.
Senior Technical Program Manager - $180,000 - $216,000
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