Propulsion Engineer I - Spacecraft Engine Team

Firefly Aerospace; Town of Texas (WI); On-site; USD 120,000 - 170,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health, dental, and vision benefits

Parental leave

Educational reimbursement

Short-term disability

Flexible PTO

Job summary

Firefly Aerospace is seeking a Propulsion Engineer to join the Spacecraft Engine Team in Austin, TX. You will develop hypergol engines for the Blue Ghost program, taking ownership from design through testing and operation.

You will collaborate with structures, fluids, and avionics to enable reliable propulsion, control, and program success. Candidates should have strong fundamentals and hands-on testing experience.

Qualifications

• BS in Aerospace Engineering or related engineering discipline.
• Strong engineering fundamentals in fluids, thermodynamics, and mechanics.
• Experience with Siemens NX or equivalent CAD program.
• Understanding of tolerancing, ASME Standards, ASTM, and GD&T.
• Ability to work in a multi-disciplinary team and provide technical guidance.

Responsibilities

• Serve as Responsible Engineer for in-space propulsion hardware including main and attitude control engines, valves, and propellant tanks.
• Develop new design concepts for propulsion integration that reduce complexity and increase reliability within budget.
• Support manufacturing, integration, and test processes with documentation and procedures.
• Lead design, analysis, and operation of spacecraft fluid systems.
• Perform flight operations as primary operator for fluids and propulsion systems.
• Own and execute development, qualification, and acceptance testing of flight hardware.
• Propose DFA changes to enhance production efficiency and vehicle reliability.
• Identify system risks and conduct trade studies for successful vehicle operation.
• Drive development of automation and test data analysis tools.

Skills

Aerospace engineering fundamentals

Fluids & thermodynamics

Multidisciplinary teamwork

GD&T knowledge

Siemens NX CAD

Education

BS in Aerospace Engineering

Master’s degree (desired)

Tools

Siemens NX

CAD software

Job description

Propulsion Engineering - Spacecraft Engine Team

Firefly Aerospace is a space and defense technology company on a mission to reliably and repeatedly launch, land, and operate space systems from Earth to the Moon and beyond. As the partner of choice for critical space missions, Firefly is the first commercial company to launch a satellite to orbit with 24‑hour notice and the first company to achieve a successful Moon landing. 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 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.
• 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.

Qualifications - Desired

• Master’s Degree in Mechanical, Aerospace, or related engineering discipline.
• 2+ 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.

Benefits

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.