Program Controls Specialist IV

Firefly Aerospace is seeking a Program Controls Scheduler to help programs stay on time and on budget. The Program Controls Specialist will develop, baseline, manage and monitor both schedule and cost aspects of the program to ensure the program stays on time and within budget. This position is central to synchronizing engineering, manufacturing, and launch activities across multiple programs supporting national security missions. The controls specialist will collaborate with program managers, the execution team, and external partners to ensure all efforts are aligned with contract deliverables, major milestones, establish budgets, and risks & opportunities. The individual will maintain the program schedule, estimate at complete and deliverables through all phases of the program.

The ideal candidate is a seasoned planner and scheduler with cost experience who combines a deep understanding of complex aerospace and defense programs with the ability to drive clarity, consistency, and performance tracking across multiple simultaneous efforts.

Roles and Responsibilities

• Develop, maintain, and analyze program-level Integrated Master Schedules (IMS) encompassing design, build, integration, test, and launch phases for multiple programs.
• Develop, maintain, and analyze program estimate at complete, monitor expenditures, and ensure cost align with the IMS
• Conduct “what-if” scenario planning and risk analyses to evaluate impacts of scope changes
• Provide executive-level cost and schedule reports to leadership and customers summarizing performance trends, risk drivers, and recovery actions.
• Analyze program data to report on performance, program status, driving path management, identify risks, issues, & opportunities and recommend corrective actions to leadership.
• Develop/provide input for a best value approach on cost & scheduling tools, templates, blending agile and waterfall scheduling, and processes that support rapid scaling and cross-program consistency.
  

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, business, or a related field.
• 5+ years of experience in program scheduling, program planning, and/or cost analysis in an engineering/manufacturing environment (preferably aerospace)
• Demonstrated expertise using Microsoft Project and Jira (or similar tools) for schedule development, managing logic dependencies, tracking, and analysis.
• Advanced knowledge in excel
• Strong fundamentals in planning & scheduling, working with teams to create an accurate IMS, cost management, and program management.
• Experience leading team discussion as it relates to cost, schedule, and risk management
• Familiarity with Earned Value Management (EVM), risk analysis tools, and cost & schedule reporting
• Excellent communication and presentation skills, with the ability to brief executives, engineers, and government customers.
• U.S. citizenship with an active DoD Secret security clearance (or ability to obtain and maintain one).
  

Preferred Qualifications

• Familiarity with DCMA 14 Point Schedule Assessment guidelines.
• Experience developing IMS for hypersonic or launch vehicle systems, from concept through flight execution.
• Knowledge of integrated test and launch operations, range scheduling, and cross-agency coordination.
• Strong understanding of DoD acquisition frameworks
• Direct experience in aerospace (traditional and non-traditional) environments to help advise on project management best practices
• Demonstrated ability to balance technical/cost/schedule constraints to achieve customer satisfaction
• Ability to lead internal training and mentoring on cost & scheduling standards, tools, and best practices.
• AACE and/or PMI professional certifications
  

About Firefly

At Firefly Aerospace, we’re building the next generation of responsive space and test solutions to serve both commercial and national security customers. Our vertically integrated approach — spanning launch vehicles, in-space transportation, and lunar systems — allows us to design, build, and fly complex missions faster and more affordably than ever before.

We move with the speed and creativity of a startup while maintaining the discipline and quality expected of a government-trusted partner. Every mission we fly advances U.S. access to space and strengthens the nation’s ability to test, defend, and operate in contested domains.

Firefly offers competitive compensation, comprehensive medical benefits, flexible PTO, parental leave, educational reimbursement, and a culture that values curiosity, technical excellence, and collaboration.

As an equal opportunity employer, Firefly Aerospace celebrates diversity and is committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.