Senior Spacecraft Systems Engineer - Design & Flight

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

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

Dental benefits

Vision benefits

Parental leave

Relocation benefits

Educational reimbursement

Short term disability

Flexible PTO

Job summary

Firefly Aerospace in Texas is seeking a Spacecraft Systems Engineer to lead system-level design and interface management for the Blue Ghost and Elytra programs. You will translate mission requirements into verifiable architectures, supervise cross‑functional teams, and drive verification plans from SRR to LRR.

The role demands deep first‑principles engineering, strong communication, and hands‑on leadership of hardware and software engineers, with substantial experience in project management,

Qualifications

• BS in Aerospace Engineering or related field.
• 10+ years of interdisciplinary project management on spacecraft.
• First principles knowledge in orbital mechanics, controls, dynamics, propulsion.
• Experience leading hardware and software teams.
• Strong knowledge of ASME, MIL, ASTM, and NASA standards; systems engineering best practices.

Responsibilities

• Develop system-level designs, ICDs, and budgets across fluids, electrical, and software architectures.
• Own requirements flowdown, interfaces, and vehicle-level test plans.
• Lead system trades, design reviews, and data reviews for the vehicle.
• Ensure SRR, PDR deliverables and inputs to CDR, TRR, and LRR.
• Coordinate with manufacturing and integration teams; travel for testing.
• Support offsite testing and surge capacity for lunar missions.

Skills

System engineering

GNC analysis

Spacecraft architecture

Project management

Communication skills

Agile

Atlassian tools

Propulsion knowledge

Education

BS Aerospace Engineering

MS or PhD in Aerospace/Mechanical

PMP or project management certification

Tools

JIRA

Confluence

Bitbucket

MS Office

Job description

Firefly Aerospace in Texas is seeking a Spacecraft Systems Engineer to lead system-level design and interface management for the Blue Ghost and Elytra programs. You will translate mission requirements into verifiable architectures, supervise cross‑functional teams, and drive verification plans from SRR to LRR.

The role demands deep first‑principles engineering, strong communication, and hands‑on leadership of hardware and software engineers, with substantial experience in project management,