Propulsion Engineer II - Engine Design

Firefly Aerospace•Briggs, TX

23h

About The Position

The Alpha Engines team designs, integrates, and operates the Reaver and Lightning engines that power the first and second stages of Firefly’s Alpha launch vehicle. The Design Engineer for Alpha Engines owns CAD for large engine assemblies, manages configuration and revision control, develops design standards and processes, and translates design intent into producible, well-toleranced models and drawings. The role serves as a CAD and GD&T expert and works closely with propulsion, systems, production, manufacturing, quality, and suppliers. Success requires meticulous attention to design data, clear communication, self-direction, and comfort working in a fast-paced development environment with evolving requirements. Firefly Aerospace is a space and defense technology company providing launch vehicles, lunar landers, and orbital vehicles for government and commercial customers. The company is headquartered in north Austin, Texas. U.S. Government space technology export regulations apply: candidates must meet the stated citizenship, residency, protected-individual, or authorization eligibility criteria.

Requirements

B.S. in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related engineering discipline, or equivalent design and drafting experience.
1–3 years of experience in mechanical design of hardware.
Expert proficiency with 3D CAD, including modeling and management of large, complex assemblies.
Strong command of GD&T, tolerancing, and ASME Y14.5, with the ability to produce complete, manufacturable, and inspectable engineering drawings.
Experience with PLM and configuration management tools, including formal revision and change control.
Experience performing tolerance stackups and fit, clearance, and interference analysis across assemblies.
Working knowledge of manufacturing and inspection methods, including precision machining, castings and forgings, additive manufacturing, welding, sheet metal, assembly, and NDT, as well as design for manufacturability.
Deep knowledge of engineering fundamentals and demonstrated ability to apply first principles to develop simple, robust solutions.
Excellent problem-solving, communication, and technical writing skills.
Ability to rapidly develop solutions with partially defined or evolving requirements.
Must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident, protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain required U.S. Department of State authorizations, to comply with U.S. Government space technology export regulations including ITAR.

Nice To Haves

Siemens NX proficiency is strongly preferred.
Teamcenter experience is preferred.
Advanced degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or an equivalent field.
5+ years creating flight hardware CAD and drawings for launch vehicles, spacecraft, or liquid rocket engine propulsion systems.
Experience administering or customizing NX and Teamcenter, including templates, standards, item types, and release workflows.
Familiarity with Python, NX Open, or other scripting to automate CAD and drawing tasks.
Experience with model-based definition (MBD) and GD&T-driven inspection, including CMM and first-article inspection.
In-depth knowledge of cryogenic, high-pressure, or high-temperature hardware and compatible material selection.
Proven experience reducing complexity in large integrated assemblies to reduce part count, cost, and lead time.
Demonstrated experience supporting the full hardware lifecycle, from blank-sheet design through application.

Responsibilities

Own and manage CAD models and large, multi-level assemblies for Alpha engine hardware, maintaining assembly structure, mates, and configuration integrity as designs mature.
Create, release, and review detailed manufacturing drawings with GD&T that communicates design intent in accordance with ASME Y14.5.
Analyze tolerance stackups across assemblies.
Establish and enforce CAD best practices, modeling standards, templates, and assembly structures that keep large assemblies robust, performant, and maintainable.
Manage configuration, revision, and change control of models, drawings, and bills of materials in the PLM system, including release workflows.
Collaborate with manufacturing, quality, and suppliers to ensure drawings are manufacturable and inspectable, and support disposition of non-conformances.
Support design reviews with current model and drawing deliverables.
Lead development of design concepts that reduce part count, complexity, cost, and lead time while preserving design intent and maximizing reliability.
Provide hands-on CAD and GD&T support to the broader Alpha Engines team.