Propulsion Engineer (Alpha)

Firefly Aerospace; Cedar Park (TX); On-site; USD 75,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Firefly Aerospace is seeking a Propulsion Engineer to manage specific systems of the Lightning Engine for their Alpha launch vehicle. The role involves innovative problem-solving and collaboration across teams to develop cutting-edge propulsion systems, perfect for passionate individuals ready to make an impact in the space industry.

Benefits

Generous health, dental, and vision plans

Parental leave

Educational reimbursement

Flexible PTO options

Qualifications

• 1-2 years of hands-on experience in propulsion or fluid systems.
• Strong fundamentals in fluid dynamics and engineering design.
• Experience with liquid rocket engine development and testing.

Responsibilities

• Identify strategies to meet design requirements for flight hardware.
• Manage development of CAD models for the Lightning engine.
• Conduct testing and provide support for engine production.

Skills

Fluids

Thermodynamics

Mechanics

Data analysis

Problem solving

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Mechanical Engineering

Master's Degree in Aerospace Engineering

Tools

Siemens NX

Python

LabVIEW

Job description

Career Opportunities with Firefly Aerospace

Come be a part of the 21 st Century Space Race!

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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.

SUMMARY

As a Propulsion Engineer you will be responsible for a specific system of the Lightning Engine, the second stage engine for Firefly�s Alpha launch vehicle. In this role you will produce innovative solutions to challenging problems throughout a project�s full life cycle, including design, analysis, manufacturing, testing, and operational support. You will take profound ownership of your projects, and will collaborate with other product groups (structures, fluid systems, avionics, vehicle/spacecraft systems) to make critical decisions. To be successful in this role, you should embrace challenging problems and be able to synthesize disparate pieces of information to establish best path forward. Your passion and determination will create leading edge propulsion systems in a fast-paced environment.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Identify and trade strategies to meet design requirements of flight hardware and tooling
• Make development decisions based on technical merit, risk, cost, schedule, and/or quality assurance
• Responsible for producing, releasing, and managing your responsible system of the Lightning engine CAD model
• Responsible for close coordination with other engineers, production team members, and quality to produce and release numerous engine sub-assembly and component drawings that maximize performance and reduce manufacturing complexity
• Own and execute development, qualification, and acceptance testing of the engine systems and sub-systems
• Provide hands-on support for engine manufacturing and assembly by addressing non-conformances and driving corrective actions
• Communicate risks and trade solutions to minimize risk of failure in development, manufacturing, test, and flight
• Understand engine interfaces such as the test stand and vehicle and openly communicate with the collaborating organizations to ensure a robust holistic design

QUALIFICATIONS

Required

• Bachelor�s Degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or equivalent
• 1-2 years of hands-on experience designing, developing, and operating propulsion or fluid systems
• Strong engineering fundamentals in fluids, thermodynamics, and mechanics
• Experience in Siemens NX or equivalent CAD program
• Comprehension of design fundamentals including tolerancing, ASME Standards, ASTM, and GD&T
• Experience with maturing a conceptual design
• Advanced degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or equivalent
• 3-5+ years of hands-on experience designing, developing, and operating propulsion or fluid systems
• Experience with liquid rocket engine development, design, test, or flight operations
• Experience with liquid rocket engine subcomponent or pressurized component (valves, regulators, tubes, pipes, etc.) development, design, or test
• Understanding of P&IDs, fluid system sizing, fluid component and instrumentation selection, fluid dynamics fundamentals, cryogenic systems, and pressurized systems
• Strong interpersonal and organizational skills
• Proven experience in data review, data analysis, and report generation
• Experience leading technical reviews (design & analysis) or investigations (risk, anomaly, or trade studies) and presenting to program management and leadership
• A passion for product optimization design and rapid manufacturing
• Hands-on experience with integrating test articles and sub-assemblies for test or production
• Proven experience in working with data acquisition systems and test instrumentation including pressure transducers, thermocouples, resistance temperature detectors, flow meters, load cells, and accelerometers
• Familiarity with some or all of the following software packages: Python, LabVIEW, GFSSP, Winplot, or other control, data acquisition, and reduction software

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 individual 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.