Director, Propulsion Engineering

Firefly Aerospace; Town of Texas (WI); On-site; USD 140,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Generous health, dental and vision plans

Parental leave

Educational reimbursement

Flexible PTO options

Job summary

Firefly Aerospace in the Town of Texas, Wisconsin, is seeking a Propulsion Director to oversee the design, development, and operation of propulsion systems for launch vehicles and spacecraft. This role demands strong leadership and technical skills, as well as a commitment to continuous improvement and rigorous testing.

The ideal candidate will have extensive experience in aerospace propulsion, a passion for innovation, and the ability to manage a large team while driving technical excellence in our ambitious space missions.

Qualifications

• 8+ years of experience in aerospace propulsion and/or fluid systems.
• 5+ years leading engineering teams.
• Demonstrated experience owning hardware from concept through operation.
• Hands-on experience with performance and reliability.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Set and own the technical vision and strategy for propulsion programs.
• Lead a multidisciplinary propulsion organization of ~100 engineers.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams across vehicles.
• Ensure robust risk identification and mitigation through analysis.

Skills

Propulsion system design

Fluid dynamics

Leadership

Combustion

Thermodynamics

Thermal systems

Education

B.S. in Mechanical Engineering

B.S. in Aerospace Engineering

Job description

About Firefly Aerospace

As an end-to-end space transportation company, Firefly Aerospace is on a mission to enable our world to
launch, land, and operate in space – anywhere, anytime. Our launch vehicles, lunar landers, and orbital
vehicles provide government and commercial customers with full mission services from low Earth orbit to
the surface of the Moon and beyond. Headquartered in North Austin, Texas, Firefly is looking for
passionate, hardworking innovators to join our team and help fuel our successful trajectory into space.

About the Role

The Propulsion Director provides technical and organizational leadership for the design, development, test, qualification, and operation of propulsion systems across Firefly’s launch vehicles and spacecraft. This role is accountable for multiple engine and fluid system programs spanning early architecture trades through flight operations.

As a vertically integrated company with co-located design, fabrication, and test facilities, Firefly expects the Propulsion Director to be deeply engaged in hardware development while setting a clear technical vision and execution strategy. The successful candidate balances hands‑on technical depth with people leadership, thrives in a fast‑paced development environment, and drives a culture of rigorous testing, ownership, and continuous improvement.

The scope of the propulsion engineering department spans launch vehicle engines, spacecraft propulsion, vehicle fluid systems, valve design, and propulsion analysis teams.

Responsibilities

• Set and own the technical vision, strategy, and execution of all propulsion and fluid systems programs across launch vehicles and spacecraft
• Lead, develop, and grow a multidisciplinary propulsion organization of ~100 engineers, fostering technical excellence, accountability, and professional growth
• Maintain ownership of propulsion hardware and systems across the full lifecycle, from requirements definition and architecture trades through qualification, flight, and operations
• Serve as a senior technical authority for propulsion and fluid systems, supporting major design reviews, test readiness reviews, anomaly resolution, and flight readiness activities
• Collaborate closely with discipline chief engineers, vehicle chief engineers, and cross‑functional teams including structures, avionics, software, manufacturing, integration, quality, and test
• Drive propulsion system performance, reliability, cost, and manufacturability through disciplined design practices and data‑driven decision making
• Ensure robust risk identification, mitigation, and closure through analysis, testing, and operational feedback
• Oversee development, qualification, and acceptance testing of propulsion components, subsystems, and engines, with an emphasis on learning‑oriented testing
• Contribute directly to new engine and propulsion technology development, providing technical insight and guidance where needed
• Establish and uphold engineering standards, best practices, and compliance with applicable industry and government requirements

Qualifications

Required

• B.S. in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related technical field
• 8+ years of experience in the design, development, and test of aerospace propulsion and/or fluid systems
• 5+ years of experience leading engineering teams, with demonstrated success delivering complex hardware programs
• Strong technical foundation in propulsion system design, fluid dynamics, combustion, turbomachinery, thermodynamics, and thermal systems as well as a demonstrated ability to apply these first principles to arrive at simple, robust solutions
• Demonstrated experience owning hardware from early concept through testing, qualification, and operation
• Hands‑on experience driving performance, reliability, or design‑for‑manufacturability initiatives
• Deep understanding of cryogenic and storable propellant systems
• Working knowledge of relevant aerospace standards and requirements (e.g., SMC-S-016, SMC-S-025)
• Working knowledge of manufacturing, fabrication, integration, and quality control relevant to fluid components (such as machining, inspection, assembly, testing, etc.)
• Knowledge of fluid components such as valves, regulators, pressure transducers, tubing, pressurized hardware, seals, and instrumentation and experience performing fluid systems sizing analysis with such components
• Proven ability to rapidly develop solutions with partially defined or evolving requirements
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to represent propulsion programs to internal and external stakeholders

Desired Qualifications

• Advanced degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or equivalent field
• Extensive experience developing and operating liquid rocket engines, launch vehicles, or spacecraft
• In‑depth knowledge of cryogenic, high‑pressure, or high‑temperature system operations
• Experience with fluid system subcomponent or pressurized component development, design, or testing (such as valves, regulators, piping systems, pumps, etc.)
• Familiarity with multiple engine cycle architectures (e.g., gas generator, staged combustion, full‑flow staged combustion)
• Proven ability to build and sustain a high‑performing engineering culture centered on ownership, learning, and execution
• Demonstrated experience with full hardware lifecycle ownership, from blank‑sheet design through full operation
• Demonstrated passion for advancing propulsion technology and integrating emerging capabilities into an executable roadmap

Disclaimer

Firefly offers outstanding benefits for our employees, including generous health, dental and vision plans with low plan deductibles, parental leave, educational reimbursement, short term disability, and flexible PTO options. To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), you must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the U.S., protected individuals as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.

Firefly Aerospace, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer; employment with Firefly is governed based on merit, competence and qualifications and will not be influenced in any manner by race, color, religion, gender, national origin/ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, mental or physical disability or any other legally protected status.