Lead, Test & Launch Operations Engineer (Avionics)

Location: Wallops Island, Virginia, United States; based at Launch Complex 3. The role involves prolonged sitting, standing, walking, computer work, and occasional exposure to moderate noise, dust, and fumes in production areas.

Salary: $149,000–$174,000 USD total compensation including base and equity. Base salary: $107,000–$147,000 USD.

Company

hirify.global is an end-to-end aerospace company developing rockets, spacecraft, and critical subsystems, including the Neutron launch vehicle and Electron HASTE hypersonic test platform.

What you will do

• Lead and manage engineers responsible for avionics hardware, flight software, and ground station systems supporting Electron and Neutron launch operations.
• Operate as the avionics console operator in Mission Control during test campaigns, rehearsals, and launches.
• Develop CONOPS, test plans, operational procedures, checklists, HMIs, and ground network controls for avionics operations.
• Lead operational readiness reviews, training simulations, mission rehearsals, operator qualification programs, and Neutron avionics testing campaigns.
• Perform real-time troubleshooting, telemetry and post-launch data analysis, anomaly investigation, root-cause analysis, and corrective actions.
• Serve as the primary technical authority, manage operational projects, coordinate across disciplines, and improve procedures and infrastructure for increasing launch cadence.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in electrical, computer, aerospace, software engineering, or another technical discipline.
• 5+ years of engineering experience with avionics systems, RF systems, telemetry, flight software, or launch vehicle operations.
• Proficiency with avionics hardware, flight software systems, and ground station operations.
• Experience with high-reliability and safety-critical aerospace software.
• Experience with RF systems, ground stations, telemetry systems, or avionics networking infrastructure.
• Leadership skills including change management, conflict resolution, escalation judgment, and effective team management.
• Understanding of operations involving complex software and hardware systems.
• Experience developing operational procedures and test plans and conducting mission simulations.
• For U.S. office roles, candidates must meet applicable ITAR authorization requirements, including U.S. citizenship, lawful permanent residence, refugee or asylum status, or eligibility to obtain required authorizations.

Nice to have

• Mission Control or similar operational control experience.
• Aviation, aircrew, or flight-test experience as an alternative.
• Launch vehicle or spacecraft avionics experience across integration, testing, launch, or mission operations.
• Flight software development, verification, or operations experience.
• Ground station operations, RF link analysis, or telemetry processing experience.
• Experience leading teams, with real-time embedded systems or flight control software.
• Knowledge of DO-178C or other software certification standards.
• Experience with data acquisition, real-time monitoring, and HMI development for operational monitoring and control systems.

Culture & Benefits

• Fast-paced environment focused on reliable launch operations, teamwork, innovation, and delivering under tight deadlines.
• Employee stock grant and Employee Stock Purchase Program with a 15% discount.
• Medical, dental, and vision coverage; paid vacation and sick time; 11 paid holidays; flexible spending and dependent care accounts.
• Paid parental leave, disability and life insurance, 401(k) with company match, and additional discounts and perks.

Hiring process

• U.S. applicants requiring reasonable accommodation for the application or interview process may contact the designated accommodation resource.
• Employment is subject to applicable ITAR eligibility and authorization requirements.