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 first commercial company to launch a satellite to orbit with 24-hour notice and the first 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.
The facility is located at Vandenburg Space Force Base, CA.
SUMMARY
Firefly Aerospace is seeking an experienced HSE Specialist III to support launch operations at Vandenberg Space Force Base (VSFB). This role serves as a key member of the Health, Safety, and Environment (HSE) team responsible for ensuring safe execution of launch vehicle processing, ground systems operations, hazardous operations, testing activities, and launch campaigns.
The HSE Specialist III provides field safety oversight, environmental compliance leadership, operational risk assessment expertise, incident prevention support, and regulatory guidance across all site activities. This role partners closely with Launch Operations, Ground Systems, Facilities, Engineering, Mission Assurance, contractors, Range Safety, and government stakeholders to identify hazards, implement risk controls, and ensure compliance with applicable regulations and permits.
The ideal candidate possesses strong experience supporting high-hazard operations in aerospace, defense, manufacturing, energy, industrial, or launch environments and thrives in a fast-paced operational setting where safety and mission success are equally critical.
RESPONSIBILITIES
- Operational Safety & Launch Support
- Support launch vehicle integration, processing, testing, fueling, and launch operations through direct field safety oversight.
- Provide day-to-day HSE support to launch site personnel, contractors, and operational teams.
- Conduct Task Risk Assessments (TRA), Operational Hazard Analyses (O&SHA), risk assessments, and pre-task safety reviews.
- Participate in launch readiness reviews, mission planning meetings, and operational go/no-go discussions.
- Serve as the HSE representative during launch campaigns and critical hazardous operations.
- Develop, implement, and maintain site-specific HSE programs, procedures, and work instructions.
- Review hazardous operating procedures to verify appropriate engineering controls, administrative controls, and personal protective equipment requirements.
- Perform routine inspections, audits, and field observations of launch facilities, ground support equipment, and operational activities.
- Support operational safety assessments involving cryogenic systems, pressure systems, hazardous energy control, flammable materials, and hazardous materials operations.
- Provide ergonomic and human-factors recommendations to improve operational safety and efficiency.
- Support launch-day Red Team activities in coordination with Range Safety, emergency response personnel, and Fire Department representatives.
- Interface with Space Force organizations, Range Safety personnel, emergency response agencies, and regulatory authorities.
HSE Program Management
- Administer and continuously improve site safety programs including:
- Lockout/Tagout (LOTO)
- Confined Space Entry
- Fall Protection
- Hazard Communication
- Machine Guarding
- Powered Industrial Trucks
- Respiratory Protection
- Pressure Systems Safety
- Cryogenic Safety
- Develop and deliver HSE training programs to employees, contractors, and visitors.
- Manage contractor safety compliance and conduct contractor safety evaluations.
- Track, trend, and report leading and lagging safety performance indicators.
- Maintain OSHA recordkeeping requirements, including OSHA 300 logs and associated reporting obligations.
- Lead HSE related incident investigations utilizing root cause analysis methodologies and ensure corrective actions are implemented and verified.
- Participate in mishap investigations, review boards, and corrective action reviews.
Environmental Compliance & Permitting
- Manage site environmental compliance programs in accordance with federal, California, Santa Barbara County, and VSFB requirements.
- Maintain compliance with environmental permits associated with air emissions, hazardous materials, hazardous waste, wastewater, stormwater, and industrial water systems.
- Administer the site's Spill Prevention, Control, and Countermeasure (SPCC) Plan.
- Manage hazardous waste generation, storage, labeling, accumulation, transportation, and disposal activities in accordance with RCRA and California hazardous waste regulations.
- Prepare and submit Tier II reports and maintain compliance with Santa Barbara County Hazardous Materials Business Plan requirements.
- Maintain site chemical inventories and support annual emissions reporting requirements for the Santa Barbara County Air Pollution Control District (SBCAPCD).
- Track emergency generator operating hours and ensure compliance with applicable air permit requirements.
- Support operation and environmental compliance of industrial wastewater systems, including monitoring, sampling, documentation, and regulatory reporting.
- Coordinate environmental inspections, audits, and agency interactions with SBCAPCD, DTSC, Regional Water Quality Control Board, and other regulatory agencies.
- Coordinate environmental monitoring programs supporting biological resources and species-of-concern requirements associated with VSFB operations.
- Evaluate operational changes and projects for environmental compliance impacts and permit applicability.
- Support spill response activities, environmental incident investigations, and corrective action implementation.
Emergency Response
- Develop, maintain, and periodically update emergency action plans and emergency response procedures.
- Coordinate emergency response drills, exercises, and training events.
- Support incident command activities during emergencies and abnormal operations.
- Participate in emergency preparedness planning with Firefly personnel, Space Force stakeholders, and emergency response organizations.
Additional Duties
- Maintain the site's Safety Data Sheet (SDS) management system and Safety Management System (SMS).
- Support company-wide HSE initiatives and continuous improvement efforts.
- Travel occasionally to Firefly test, manufacturing, or operational facilities as required.
QUALIFICATIONS
Required
- Bachelor's degree in Occupational Safety, Environmental Science, Engineering, Industrial Hygiene, or a related technical field.
- Minimum 5 years of experience supporting HSE programs in aerospace, defense, manufacturing, industrial, energy, or other high-hazard operational environments.
- Strong working knowledge of OSHA, EPA, DOT, ANSI, NFPA, and California environmental regulations.
- Experience conducting hazard analyses, risk assessments, incident investigations, and corrective action management.
- Experience developing and delivering HSE training programs.
- Working knowledge of California hazardous waste management regulations.
- Ability to obtain RCRA/California Hazardous Waste Management certification.
- Ability to obtain DOT Hazardous Materials Shipper certification.
- Strong written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
- Ability to obtain and maintain access to Vandenberg Space Force Base and other government facilities.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- 7+ years of HSE experience supporting aerospace, launch, defense, propulsion testing, or industrial operations.
- Experience supporting launch vehicle, missile, aviation, military, or spaceflight operations.
- Familiarity with AFSPCMAN 91-710 or successor Space Force Range Safety requirements.
- Certified Safety Professional (CSP), Associate Safety Professional (ASP), or Certified Hazardous Materials Manager (CHMM).
- HAZWOPER 40-Hour certification.
- Incident Command System (ICS) training.
- Experience supporting cryogenic systems, high-pressure systems, hazardous energy control, or energetic materials operations.
- Experience developing Operational and Support Hazard Analyses (O&SHA).
- Experience participating in accident investigation boards and corrective action review teams.
- Forklift, boom lift, and industrial equipment operating experience.
ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS
- Must be willing to work overtime, evenings, weekends, holidays, and launch campaign schedules as required.
- Must be capable of supporting operations outdoors in varying environmental conditions including heat, cold, wind, rain, and dust.
- Must be able to stand, walk, climb ladders, and access elevated work platforms for extended periods.
- Must be able to wear respiratory protection and other required personal protective equipment.
- Must be capable of responding to emergency situations and supporting off-hours operational activities.
Salary range for this role: $115,000 - $150,000
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.
