Launch Operations Engineer II

About the Team:

The Launch team operates at the intersection of every major aspect of Terran R, from stages and payloads to ground systems, launch, landing, and refurbishment. The Cape is the only place where you see it all come together, offering a level of exposure and responsibility unmatched elsewhere in the program. This is where first flights happen, where history is built on top of history, and where the scale of what's underway is unlike anything in modern aerospace. The mission stays the same, but the work evolves with every milestone: from first launch to reuse, high-cadence operations, and beyond. If you're looking to define what's next in space launch and write a new playbook, not just repeat what’s already been done, this is where it happens.

About the Role:

As a Launch Operations Engineer II, you will have a front-row seat in the launch control room during one of the most demanding and exhilarating moments in engineering: a live rocket launch. You will not just observe the countdown; you will own critical systems, make real-time decisions, and help guide a vehicle from initial power-up through liftoff. In this role, you will bring structure and disciplined execution to complex propulsion development and launch operations, shaping how missions are prepared, tested, and flown. From hands-on hardware integration in the field to commanding systems through integrated control software and analyzing live telemetry under pressure, you will operate at the intersection of precision, speed, and accountability. 

• Conduct complex propulsion tests and launch operations to evaluate rocket engine and stage performance.
• Create and optimize automated test sequences, procedures, and data review processes to ensure safe, efficient, and repeatable execution.
• Command and monitor the launch pad and flight hardware through GUIs and integrated control, automation, and telemetry systems.
• Perform hardware setup, system configuration, and cross-disciplinary troubleshooting.
• Analyze test data and partner with design engineering to improve rocket system performance based on real-world results.

About You:

• Bachelor’s degree or higher in Aerospace, Mechanical, Electrical, Computer, Software Engineering, or Computer Science; aerospace experience not required. We value diverse backgrounds and perspectives.
• Minimum 3 years of relevant engineering experience.
• Strong engineering fundamentals across thermal, structural, electrical, and fluid systems.
• Proven ability to collaborate effectively in team environments and perform under high-pressure, schedule-driven conditions.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Willingness to work flexible hours, including nights and weekends, as required by operations.

Nice to haves but not required:

• Working knowledge of rocket subsystems, including structures, mechanisms, high-pressure fluid systems, and avionics.
• Hands-on experience supporting propulsion test and launch operations.
• Intermediate proficiency in object-oriented programming. 
• Proven ability to quickly learn new skills, programming languages, and tools.
• Experience developing user interfaces and operator-in-the-loop automation tools for manufacturing and test.

Successful candidates must clear a background check administered by the US government to obtain clearance for on-site work at our government partner location in Cape Canaveral, Florida.