Propulsion Engineer II/III - Alpha Engines

Firefly Aerospace; Bertram (TX); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health, dental and vision plans

Parental leave

Relocation benefits

Educational reimbursement

Short term disability

Flexible PTO

Job summary

Firefly Aerospace is seeking a Responsible Engineer for the Alpha Engines team to own engine hardware across its lifecycle, from requirements to flight. You will lead the design and analysis of engine components, and collaborate with propulsion, structures, avionics, and vehicle systems to ensure reliable propulsion for the Alpha launch vehicle.

You will drive fluid, thermal, and structural analyses, develop test procedures, and present readiness reviews to internal and external stakeholders.

Qualifications

• B.S. in Mechanical, Aerospace, or related engineering discipline required.
• Level II: 3+ years of experience; Level III: 7+ years of experience in propulsion systems.
• Strong fundamentals in fluid dynamics, thermodynamics, heat transfer, and solid mechanics.
• Proven hardware ownership through multiple product lifecycle stages.
• Hands-on hardware design, fabrication, and testing experience.
• Experience with CAD and configuration management tools (NX/Teamcenter).
• Familiarity with Python, MATLAB, LabVIEW, GFSSP, or similar data acquisition software.

Responsibilities

• Own engine hardware through full lifecycle from concept to flight.
• Lead design and analysis of engine components to meet performance and reliability requirements.
• Drive fluid, structural, thermal, and dynamic analyses of components and systems.
• Collaborate with manufacturing and integration to develop processes and test procedures.
• Plan and execute development, qualification, and acceptance tests of flight hardware; analyze data.
• Present design reviews, test readiness, and launch readiness to stakeholders.
• Identify risks, perform trade studies, and drive decisions on tech merit, cost, schedule, and quality.

Skills

Propulsion systems

Engine hardware ownership

Fluid dynamics

Thermodynamics

Heat transfer

Solid mechanics

Python

MATLAB

LabVIEW

GD&T

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical or Aerospace

Advanced degree in Mechanical/Aerospace

Tools

Siemens NX

Teamcenter

CAD

Job description

ABOUT FIREFLY AEROSPACEFirefly 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 RoleThe Alpha Engines team is responsible for the design, integration, and operation of the Reaver and Lightning engines that power the first and second stages of Firefly’s Alpha launch vehicle.As a Responsible Engineer, you will own engine hardware across its full lifecycle – requirements definition, design, analysis, development, test, qualification, and flight. You will lead the design and analysis of the hardware, collaborate with fabrication and integration teams to manufacture and assemble the system, and support vehicle testing and launch operations. You will serve as a subject matter expert for the Alpha Engines team and provide an active voice in engine development, test campaigns, and launch operations.This role requires deep technical knowledge, extreme ownership of hardware from concept to flight, and clear communication with cross-functional partners including propulsion, structures, avionics, and vehicle systems. The successful candidate will be a self-starter who enjoys challenging assumptions, thrives in a fast-paced development environment, and seeks to make impactful contributions to Firefly’s mission.ResponsibilitiesDemonstrate full ownership of launch vehicle engine hardware through the full product life cycleLead the design and analysis of engine components and assemblies to meet performance, reliability, manufacturability, and operability requirementsDrive component and system analyses including fluid, structural, thermal, and dynamicCollaborate with manufacturing and integration teams to develop processes, work instructions, and test proceduresPlan, coordinate, and execute development, qualification, and acceptance testing of flight hardware, including data analysis and reviewsDevelop tools for design, analysis, and test data reviewAuthor and present design review, test readiness, launch readiness, and data review presentations to internal and external stakeholdersIdentify system-level risks, perform trade studies, and drive decisions based on technical merit, risk, cost, schedule, and quality to ensure successful engine and vehicle operationServe as the propulsion representative for your hardware during engine testing, stage testing, and launch operationsQualificationsRequiredB.S. in Mechanical, Aerospace, or a related engineering disciplineLevel II: 3+ years of experience developing launch vehicle propulsion systems. Level III: 7+ years of experience developing launch vehicle propulsion systems.Strong understanding of engineering fundamentals especially fluid dynamics, thermodynamics, heat transfer, and solid mechanicsDemonstrated history of applying engineering first principles to arrive at simple, robust solutionsProven experience with strong hardware ownership through multiple aspects of the product lifecycleHands-on experience with hardware design, fabrication, and testingExperience with CAD and configuration management tools (Siemens NX and Teamcenter preferred), and comprehension of GD&T, tolerancing, and ASME Y14.5Familiarity with Python, MATLAB, LabVIEW, GFSSP, or other control, data acquisition, and reduction softwareWorking knowledge of manufacturing, fabrication, integration, and quality control relevant to fluid componentsExcellent problem-solving, communication, and technical writing skillsProven ability to rapidly develop solutions with partially defined or evolving requirementsDesired QualificationsAdvanced degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or an equivalent field5+ years of experience developing launch vehicle propulsion systemsDemonstrated experience of full hardware lifecycle ownership, from blank-sheet design through full operationStrong understanding in engineering fundamentals of propulsion systems and combustion devicesIn-depth knowledge of cryogenic, high-pressure, or high-temperature system operations and compatible material selectionExperience with fluid system subcomponent or pressurized component development, design, or testingExperience testing or operating complex engineering systemsExperience with data acquisition systems and test instrumentation including pressure transducers, thermocouples, RTDs, flow meters, load cells, and accelerometersExperience optimizing design of hardware for improvements in reliability, manufacturability, performance, cost, and simplicityFirefly 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.