Propulsion Engineer I (Spacecraft Engine Team)

Firefly Aerospace, Inc.

Cedar Park (TX)

On-site

USD 110,000 - 150,000

Full time

2 days ago

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Benefits offered by this job

Health, dental, and vision plans

Relocation benefits

Educational reimbursement

Flexible PTO

Job summary

Firefly Aerospace, Inc. in Texas is seeking a Propulsion Engineer II to join the Spectre Engine team. You will develop hypergol engines, own propulsion systems, and collaborate across structures, fluids, and avionics through design, analysis, manufacturing, and testing phases.

The role emphasizes ownership of propulsion hardware, process development, and reliability improvements while working in a fast-paced environment with a strong safety culture.

Qualifications

BS in Aerospace Engineering or related engineering discipline.
3+ years of experience working on an aerospace engine or fluid system.
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.
Ability to effectively work in a multi-disciplinary team and provide technical guidance and insight.

Responsibilities

Serve as Responsible Engineer for in-space propulsion hardware including main and attitude control engines, valves, and propellant tanks.
Develop new and innovative design concepts for propulsion integration and operations that reduce complexity and maximize reliability within budget
Assist in the development of manufacturing, integration, and test processes, including work instructions, test procedures, development testing, and initial build support
Act as the primary point of contact for design, analysis, and operations of spacecraft fluid systems
Perform flight operations as a primary operator for fluids and propulsion systems
Own and execute development, qualification, and acceptance testing of flight hardware
Execute design for manufacturability changes to enhance production efficiency and vehicle reliability
Identify system risks and conduct corresponding trade studies to ensure successful vehicle operation
Drive development of automation and test data analysis tools

Skills

Analytical skills

Team collaboration

Problem solving

Education

BS in Aerospace Engineering

Master’s Degree (preferred)

Tools

Siemens NX

Test instrumentation

Job description

At Firefly, we’re focused on making space attainable for everyone – including you! Each team member’s passion, dedication, and innovative ideas have a direct impact on fueling our successful trajectory into space. And there’s no shortage of meaningful projects to work on at Firefly. With launch, lunar, and orbital vehicles, Firefly has a diverse line of business with opportunities to get hands‑on experience launching rockets, operating in space, and landing on the Moon.

Our missions are powered by our incredible team ...

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Our Values

Headquartered in the Lone Star State, Firefly’s hardworking team reflects Texas’ GO BIG culture in everything we do. We build big, achieve big, and dream big. We’re building launch vehicles and spacecraft to provide rapid, reliable space access. We’ve achieved some incredible wins, including the first successful commercial Moon landing. And we’re dreaming bigger than this planet with ambitions to Mars, Venus, and beyond. Our core values are what drive us along the way.

Passion

Fireflies believe in perseverance, responsiveness, and mentoring others with a focus on inspiring a better future.

Accountability

Fireflies act with integrity and take ownership of our actions, commitments, decisions, and outcomes.

Fireflies work in alignment across teams and communicate clearly with mutual respect for one another.

Fireflies deliver high-quality work through technical rigor and timely disciplined execution for our customers.

We take care of our Fireflies with some of the best benefits in the industry. Our mission to make space for everyone starts with our employees and allowing them to make space for their family, their career, and their future.

Space for You

Unlimited PTO for exempt employees
3-month sabbatical for every 5 years of service
Medical, dental, vision, life, and disability insurance
Mental health services
Paid military leave

Space for Your Family

12 weeks paid maternity leave
4 weeks paid spouse leave
$20k towards family planning: fertility, surrogacy, adoption
Dog friendly workplace

Space for Your Career

$10k/year towards trade school or college
Ongoing coaching to advance leadership skills
Employee-ownership with stock bonuses
4% Safe Harbor 401(k) matching
$10k bonus for home purchase in Cedar Park, Texas

Job Openings

From launch technicians to propulsion engineers, Firefly has open roles across the company. We’re looking for passionate, bright innovators to join our team and help make space an achievable dream for everyone.

Firefly Aerospace is a space and defense technology company that enables our world to launch, land, and operate in space – anywhere, anytime. As the partner of choice for critical space missions, Firefly is the only commercial company to launch a satellite to orbit with 24-hour notice and the only company to achieve a successful Moon landing. Our launch vehicles, lunar landers, and orbital vehicles provide government and commercial customers with full mission services from low Earth orbit to 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 position of Propulsion Engineer II within the Spectre Engine team at Firefly involves leveraging creativity, ingenuity, and experience to develop hypergol engines for our Blue Ghost program. Engineers tackle complex challenges throughout the project life cycle, from design and analysis to manufacturing, testing, and operational support. Collaborating closely with other product groups, such as structures, fluid systems, and avionics, Propulsion Engineers take ownership of projects and make critical decisions. Successful candidates will demonstrate a passion for solving challenging problems, the ability to synthesize information, and a determination to create leading‑edge propulsion systems in a dynamic, fast‑paced environment.

Responsibilities

Serve as Responsible Engineer for in-space propulsion hardware including main and attitude control engines, valves, and propellant tanks.
Develop new and innovative design concepts for propulsion integration and operations that reduce complexity and maximize reliability within budget
Assist in the development of manufacturing, integration, and test processes, including work instructions, test procedures, development testing, and initial build support
Act as the primary point of contact for design, analysis, and operations of spacecraft fluid systems
Perform flight operations as a primary operator for fluids and propulsion systems
Own and execute development, qualification, and acceptance testing of flight hardware
Execute design for manufacturability changes to enhance production efficiency and vehicle reliability
Identify system risks and conduct corresponding trade studies to ensure successful vehicle operation
Drive development of automation and test data analysis tools

Qualifications

Required

BS in Aerospace Engineering or related engineering discipline.
3+ years of experience working on an aerospace engine or fluid system
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
Ability to effectively work in a multi‑discipline team and provide technical guidance and insight.

Desired Qualifications

Master’s Degree in Mechanical, Aerospace, or related engineering discipline.
5+ years of progressive experience in related engineering discipline
Experience with storable liquid propulsion (NTO/MMH, Hydrazine)
Experience leading technical reviews (design & analysis) or investigations (risk, anomaly, or trade studies)
Hands‑on experience with integrating test articles and sub‑assemblies for test or production
Prior experience working with data acquisition systems and test instrumentation including pressure transducers, thermocouples, resistance temperature detectors, flow meters, load cells, and accelerometers
Experience with end to end ownership of technical projects from conception to delivery
Strong interpersonal and organizational skills

Firefly offers outstanding benefits for our employees, including generous health, dental and vision plans with low plan deductibles, parental leave, relocation benefits, 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.

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