Spacecraft Systems Engineer II

Firefly Aerospace•Cedar Park, TX

About The Position

Firefly Aerospace is seeking a Spacecraft Systems Engineer to support development of Blue Ghost and Elytra spacecraft throughout the product lifecycle, from concept through fabrication, testing, and flight. The role works across design engineering, manufacturing, integration, test, launch, and mission operations to ensure spacecraft meet system-level requirements and are thoroughly tested, operationally efficient, and reliable. The engineer is responsible for validating system architecture; managing technical budgets, interfaces, and configuration across departments; developing and reviewing test plans; verifying requirements; and supporting mission operations. The role also communicates system configuration and provides status updates on performance, changes, schedule, and risks. The successful candidate translates program plans and engineering direction into system-level outcomes and contributes to a collaborative, professional working environment.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace Engineering or a related engineering discipline.
At least 4 years of focused, hands-on experience in an interdisciplinary project management or execution role on spacecraft; equivalent work experience will be considered.
Firm understanding and demonstrated application of engineering first principles in areas including orbital mechanics, controls, mechanical engineering, structural dynamics, electrical engineering, mechatronics, materials, thermodynamics, fluid dynamics, and propulsion.
Experience leading interdisciplinary project teams that include hardware and software engineers.
Strong working knowledge of ASME, MIL, ASTM, and/or NASA standards and systems engineering best practices, with the ability to adapt processes to team needs.
Exceptional written and verbal communication, public speaking, and presentation skills.

Nice To Haves

Experience across the full lifecycle of a spacecraft mission, from SRR through mission operations.
Strong working knowledge of GNC analysis and cislunar mission planning.
Strong working knowledge of the lunar surface environment and robotics.
Master’s or PhD in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or an equivalent technical field.
Strong working knowledge of real-time visual navigation systems for autonomous control.
Experience designing spacecraft architectures or critical subsystems for reliability and radiation resiliency.
Strong working knowledge of fabrication and assembly methodologies, production management tools, and quality control processes.
Experience tailoring SMC/AFSPCM/91-710-equivalent range documents and understanding, documenting, and resolving technical implications and risks associated with tailoring.
Experience with Agile project management using Atlassian tools such as JIRA, Confluence, and Bitbucket.
PMP certification or equivalent project management experience.

Responsibilities

Create and maintain system-level designs, schematics, interface control documents, and performance budgets, including fluid, electrical, and software architectures.
Own requirements development and flowdown, subsystem interfaces, and vehicle-level test plans; review all test plans for the vehicle.
Lead system-level trades, design reviews, and data reviews for the vehicle.
Be accountable for delivery of SRR and PDR, and provide critical inputs to CDR, MRR, TRR, and LRR.
Resolve issues, failures, and nonconformance reports (NCRs) that affect test-plan closure, including root cause analysis and corrective actions.
Facilitate the change control board and risk review board, and manage deliverable tracking and effort estimates for the vehicle.
Maintain rapport with manufacturing and integration technicians, understand their challenges, and propose upstream improvements.
Travel to support offsite testing.
Provide surge capacity for the operations team during demanding missions and support 12-hour shifts during lunar mission operations.
Maintain composure under pressure and foster a positive, professional, and respectful working environment.