Propulsion Engineer I (Spacecraft Engine Team)

Firefly Aerospace•Cedar Park, TX

About The Position

Firefly Aerospace is seeking a Propulsion Engineer for its Spectre Engine team to develop hypergolic engines for the Blue Ghost program. The role involves work throughout the project life cycle, including design, analysis, manufacturing, testing, and operational support. The engineer collaborates with other product groups, such as structures, fluid systems, and avionics, takes ownership of projects, and makes critical technical decisions in a dynamic, fast-paced environment. The job posting’s title says “Propulsion Engineer I,” while the About the Role section describes the position as “Propulsion Engineer II.”

Requirements

Bachelor of Science in Aerospace Engineering or a related engineering discipline.
At least 3 years of experience working on an aerospace engine or fluid system.
Strong engineering fundamentals in fluids, thermodynamics, and mechanics.
Experience with Siemens NX or an equivalent CAD program.
Comprehension of design fundamentals, including tolerancing, ASME Standards, ASTM, and GD&T.
Ability to work effectively in a multidisciplinary team and provide technical guidance and insight.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related engineering discipline.
At least 5 years of progressive experience in a related engineering discipline.
Experience with storable liquid propulsion, including NTO/MMH or Hydrazine.
Experience leading technical design and analysis reviews or investigations, including risk, anomaly, or trade studies.
Hands-on experience integrating test articles and subassemblies for testing or production.
Experience with data acquisition systems and test instrumentation, including pressure transducers, thermocouples, resistance temperature detectors, flow meters, load cells, and accelerometers.
Experience owning technical projects end to end, from conception to delivery.
Strong interpersonal and organizational skills.

Responsibilities

Serve as Responsible Engineer for in-space propulsion hardware, including main and attitude control engines, valves, and propellant tanks.
Develop propulsion integration and operations design concepts that reduce complexity and maximize reliability within budget.
Assist with development of manufacturing, integration, and test processes, including work instructions, test procedures, development testing, and initial build support.
Act as the primary point of contact for spacecraft fluid-system design, analysis, and operations.
Perform flight operations as a primary operator for fluids and propulsion systems.
Own and execute development, qualification, and acceptance testing of flight hardware.
Execute design-for-manufacturability changes to improve production efficiency and vehicle reliability.
Identify system risks and conduct related trade studies to ensure successful vehicle operation.
Drive development of automation and test data analysis tools.