Propulsion Manufacturing Engineer III

Firefly Aerospace•Briggs, TX

4d•Onsite

About The Position

Firefly Aerospace’s Propulsion Manufacturing Engineering team is responsible for fabricating, integrating, testing, and delivering engines and fluid systems to vehicle and spacecraft programs. Manufacturing engineers take ownership of engine components from design release through delivery of the completed product, turning designs into functioning components ready for spaceflight. This position is based at Firefly’s manufacturing and test site in Briggs, Texas, north of Cedar Park. The engineer leads the transition of products from development to production and owns end-to-end fabrication, assembly, checkout, process development, and improvement for propulsion subassemblies and complete engines. The role also includes investigating process failures, qualifying new production processes, contributing to design reviews, creating and improving assembly instructions, executing checkout procedures, dispositioning non-conformances, and implementing corrective actions and manufacturability improvements.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or a related technical field.
At least 8 years of experience working in a Manufacturing Engineer role.
Proven experience with complex assemblies, such as production in aerospace, aviation, or automotive industries.
Ability to read and interpret technical drawings and assembly instructions.
Proven experience with complex troubleshooting.
Proven experience working in dynamic and evolving environments.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills for conveying assembly and troubleshooting methodologies.
Strong interpersonal and conflict-resolution skills and ability to work as a team player.
Proven experience with tasks requiring extreme attention to detail and prolonged mental concentration.
Ability to thrive in high-stakes, stressful, short-deadline environments.
Critical thinking and strong decision-making ability.

Nice To Haves

10 or more years of experience in an aerospace production environment.
Experience with advanced manufacturing techniques such as welding, brazing, casting, additive fabrication, forging, or spin forming.
Experience working with cryogenics and high-pressure pneumatic systems.
Experience with modern manufacturing principles, such as Lean Manufacturing or Six Sigma.
Experience with complex system assembly and hands-on building, preferably in space systems or aerospace applications.
Experience writing assembly procedures or documentation for mechanical, electrical, or structural systems.
Experience writing test plans and procedures and identifying system pass/fail criteria.
Knowledge of data analysis packages such as Python or advanced Excel.
Working knowledge of fluid components and systems.

Responsibilities

Lead the transition of products from development to production.
Own fabrication, assembly, and checkout procedures for propulsion subassemblies and complete engines.
Develop and improve processes to increase production rates and reduce costs.
Lead investigations of process failures and drive them to root cause.
Own the development, testing, and qualification of new production processes.
Participate in design reviews and provide feedback to design teams.
Own assembly and integration instructions and work with technician teams on continuous improvement.
Develop and execute functional checkout procedures and processes where applicable.
Disposition non-conformances arising during builds and develop and implement corrective actions.
Conduct manufacturability reviews and implement design improvements.