Propulsion Integration and Test RE II/III (Miranda Engine)

firefly; Town of Texas (WI); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

Dental & vision plans

Parental leave

Educational reimbursement

Short-term disability

Flexible PTO

Job summary

Firefly Aerospace is seeking a propulsion engineer to collaborate with design, manufacturing, and test teams to define engine configurations and support integration and test activities. The role emphasizes data-driven analysis, leadership in reviews, and development of innovative propulsion concepts for production readiness.

The candidate should have a mechanical or aerospace degree with 3+ years in propulsion or fluid systems, plus strong fundamentals in flow, heat transfer, combustion, and

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in mechanical or aerospace engineering.
• 3+ years in aerospace/mechanical field, propulsion or fluid systems.
• Experience leading technical reviews or investigations.
• Proven data review, analysis and reporting experience.
• Experience with Siemens NX or equivalent CAD.

Responsibilities

• Define engine configurations with cross-functional teams and support integration/test.
• Design and execute test plans for propulsion development and flight campaigns.
• Analyze engine test data and report performance against objectives.
• Mentor propulsion engineers and provide technical guidance.
• Develop innovative propulsion concepts to reduce part count and complexity.
• Improve manufacturability and production efficiency through design changes.
• Make decisions based on technical merit, risk, cost, and schedule.

Skills

Propulsion engineering

Data analysis

Technical reviews

Mentoring

Test planning

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering

Bachelor’s Degree in Aerospace Engineering

Tools

Siemens NX

Python

LabVIEW

GFSSP

Winplot

Job description

ABOUT FIREFLY AEROSPACE

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.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Collaborate with design, manufacturing, vehicle integration, production, and test operations teams to define engine configurations and support engine integration and test operations
• Design and execute test plans supporting development, qualification, and flight engine test campaigns
• Compile, interpret, and report on engine test data and evaluate performance relative to campaign and program objectives
• Serve as a mentor for the existing propulsion engineers, providing technical guidance and leadership
• Assist in developing new, innovative design concepts for propulsion components and experimental tooling, that reduce part count and complexity
• Execute design for manufacturability changes to enhance production efficiency
• Make development decisions based on technical merit, risk, cost, schedule, and/or quality assurance
• Assist in the development of manufacturing, integration, and test processes, including work instructions, test procedures, and early build support
• Partner with engineering and production teams to generate ideas, designs, and improvements for current and next-generation liquid rocket engines

QUALIFICATIONS

Required

• Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or equivalent
• 3+ years of experience in a related aerospace or mechanical field, with a focus in propulsion or fluid systems
• Experience leading technical reviews (design & analysis) or investigations (risk, anomaly, or trade studies)
• Proven experience in data review, data analysis, and report generation
• Experience in Siemens NX or equivalent CAD program
• Understanding of bipropellant liquid rocket fundamentals and ability to collaborate with subject matter experts to maximize engine performance
• Strong engineering fundamentals in compressible and incompressible flow, heat transfer, combustion devices, rocket engine cycles, and mechanics
• Understanding of P&IDs, fluid system sizing, fluid component and instrumentation selection, fluid dynamics fundamentals, cryogenic systems and pressurized systems
• Experience with maturing a conceptual design for use in a production environment
• History of developing solutions with partially defined requirements and changing criteria.

Desired

• MS or PhD in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering
• 5+ years of experience in a related aerospace or mechanical field, with a focus in propulsion or fluid systems
• Strong interpersonal and organizational skills
• Familiarity with presenting trade studies, risks, schedules, requirements, and budget to program management or leadership
• 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
• 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