Spacecraft Systems Engineer III

Firefly Aerospace•Cedar Park, TX

About The Position

Firefly Aerospace is seeking a Spacecraft Systems Engineer to support development of its Blue Ghost and Elytra spacecraft across the product lifecycle, from concept through fabrication, testing, and flight. The role works with design engineering, manufacturing, integration, test, and launch teams to deliver a thoroughly tested, operationally efficient, reliable vehicle that meets system-level requirements. The Systems Engineering team is accountable for requirements, interfaces, and test planning. This engineer validates system architecture; manages technical budgets and design configuration across departments; develops test plans; ensures requirements verification; and supports mission operations. The role also communicates current system configuration and provides status updates on performance, changes, schedule, and risks, translating program plans and engineering objectives into system-level results. Candidates are expected to be self-starters who support their teammates and are passionate about the space industry.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace Engineering or a related engineering discipline.
At least 6 years of focused, hands-on experience in an interdisciplinary project management or execution role on spacecraft; equivalent work experience will be considered.
Firm comprehension and demonstrated application of first principles in engineering disciplines, 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, as well as systems engineering best practices, and ability to adapt processes to team needs.
Exceptional written and verbal communication, public speaking, and presentation skills.
Must meet U.S. Government space technology export-control eligibility requirements: 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.

Nice To Haves

Experience spanning the full spacecraft mission lifecycle, 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 Ph.D. 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 the technical implications and risks of 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 that affect test-plan closure, including root cause analysis and corrective actions.
Facilitate the change control board and risk review board, and track deliverables 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 operations during demanding missions and support 12-hour shifts during lunar mission operations.
Remain calm under pressure and foster a positive, professional, and respectful working environment.