IT Telecom Manager

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.

Summary

The IT Telecom Manager leads telecommunications engineers and technicians responsible for Firefly's communications infrastructure—from fiber-optic backbones spanning our test facilities to real-time voice nets coordinating launch operations. Your leadership directly impacts mission success – building physical infrastructure to carry vehicle telemetry at gigabit speeds, critical voice systems to enable split-second decisions, video infrastructure capturing every stage separation and satellite deployment, and directly supporting mission operations. You'll lead a world-class telecommunications team, see rockets launch from pads your team wired, and know that when the countdown reaches zero, the people you lead make it happen flawlessly. The ideal candidate is highly organized, customer-focused, detail-oriented, and comfortable working in a fast-paced, high-growth environment.

This position is located at our Test and Manufacturing facility in Briggs, TX

Responsibilities

• Set project priorities, resource allocations, and timelines for concurrent telecommunications projects across facilities, ensuring on-time delivery
• Collaboration with cross-functional teams to deliver telecommunications solutions supporting launch vehicle, spacecraft, and lunar programs
• Ownership of telecommunications standards, best practices, and documentation protocols to support technical excellence and continuous improvement
• Review and approve telecom system designs, installation plans, and maintenance procedures
• Lead, recruit and develop telecommunications engineers and technicians across multiple facilities and launch sites, supporting Firefly’s expanding mission portfolio
• Coordinate staffing with IT and Mission Leadership for launch campaign support to ensure sufficient coverage and responsiveness during critical operations
• Lead troubleshooting and coordinate rapid responses to incidents, with a focus on clear communication and quick resolution to restore critical functionality

Qualifications

Required

• 10+ years in telecommunications with 2+ years directly managing technical teams (engineers and technicians)
• Deep understanding of structured cabling infrastructure design and deployment, including OSP/ISP fiber optics, copper cabling such as CAT5e, Coax, conduit installation and routing.
• Working knowledge of mission-critical intercom systems such as RTS, ClearCom, or Riedel
• Familiarity with video production infrastructure, streaming, and broadcast technologies such as SDI, IP-based video, high-speed and thermal cameras
• Experience with video management systems such as Milestone Xprotect, NX Witness, and Genetec
• Strong project management skills with demonstrated success delivering telecommunications infrastructure projects
• Proven ability to build, lead, and develop high-performing engineers and technicians across multiple locations
• Proven ability to lead teams through high-pressure, time-critical situations and mission operations
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills

Desired

• Bachelor's degree in Telecommunications, Electrical Engineering, Information Technology, Business Management, or related field (or equivalent experience)
• Understanding of backup power and cooling systems for critical infrastructure
• Understanding of network architecture, redundancy design, and high-availability systems
• PMP, BICSI RCDD, or equivalent professional certifications
• Experience in aerospace, defense, mission control, or other mission-critical operations environments
• Familiarity with NASA/Space Force telecommunications standards and range safety communications requirements
• Experience with emerging technologies such as IP-based audio/video (Dante, AES67, NDI), satellite communications, and advanced video recording technologies

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.