Test Engineer, IV Propulsion

Firefly Aerospace, Inc.

Texas

On-site

USD 120,000 - 180,000

Full time

2 hours ago

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Benefits offered by this job

Health, dental and vision plans

Parental leave

Relocation benefits

Educational reimbursement

Flexible PTO

Short-term disability

Job summary

Firefly Aerospace, Inc. in Briggs, TX is seeking an experienced Propulsion Test Engineer to lead hands‑on hotfire testing of the Spectre engine and related systems.

You will own test operations, develop procedures, and coordinate data acquisition to ensure successful lunar and orbital propulsion campaigns. The role requires deep expertise in liquid propulsion, strong data analysis, and leadership to mentor junior team members.

Qualifications

Minimum 5+ years hands-on experience with liquid rocket propulsion test operations.
Experience leading or conducting liquid propulsion hotfire tests (engine, thruster, or integrated vehicle).
Proficiency with test data analysis and reporting.

Responsibilities

Lead integration, instrumentation, and execution of hotfire tests for Spectre propulsion engine and related systems.
Develop test plans, procedures, and operational sequences for complex propulsion testing.
Serve as test conductor for critical operations, managing console, data, and communications.
Perform setup, checkout, and operation of ground support equipment and propellant transfer systems.
Execute propellant loading, engine conditioning, ignition sequences, and safing operations per procedures.
Provide technical mentorship and training to junior engineers and technicians.

Skills

Liquid propulsion testing

Test operations

Python

LabVIEW

Data acquisition

Anomaly investigations

Safety compliance

Technical mentoring

Education

BS in Mechanical Engineering

BS in Aerospace Engineering

BS in Chemical Engineering

Tools

Python

LabVIEW

Data acquisition systems

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.

What does SciTec bring to the Firefly family?
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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.

SUMMARY

We are seeking an experienced Propulsion Test Engineer to join our test operations team at our manufacturing and test facility in Briggs, TX. This role is for a hands‑on test professional with proven expertise in liquid propulsion testing who can lead complex test campaigns and drive operational excellence in our hypergolic test programs.

As a Test Engineer, you will take ownership of test operations for the Spectre propulsion engine and other liquid propulsion systems supporting the Blue Ghost lunar lander program. You will leverage your experience with liquid rocket propulsion to plan and execute critical hotfire testing, lead anomaly resolution efforts, and mentor junior test personnel. Your expertise will directly impact mission success as we prepare our systems for lunar missions.

Testing Spectre will have a direct impact on the success of future lunar missions and will ultimately drive changes to the landscape of our space industry. Specter is an engine built on site, tested on site, and operated by you to be ready to fly to the lunar surface and beyond.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Test Operations & Execution

Lead the integration, instrumentation, and execution of hotfire tests for the Spectre propulsion engine and related liquid propulsion systems
Develop comprehensive test plans, procedures, and operational sequences for complex propulsion system testing
Serve as test conductor for critical test operations, managing console operations, data acquisition systems, and test team communications
Perform and oversee hands‑on setup, checkout, and operation of ground support equipment including propellant transfer systems, pressurization systems, and safety systems
Execute propellant loading, engine conditioning, ignition sequences, and safing operations in accordance with approved procedures

Technical Leadership & Analysis

Analyze test data in real-time and post-test to verify system performance, identify anomalies, and validate test objectives using tools such as Python, LabView, or similar
Lead anomaly investigations, root cause analysis, and implementation of corrective actions
Collaborate with propulsion design engineers, systems engineers, and technicians to resolve technical issues and optimize test operations
Support design reviews and provide test operations input to hardware and facility design efforts
Develop and improve test infrastructure, instrumentation strategies, and operational capabilities

Safety & Documentation

Ensure all test operations comply with safety protocols, hazard controls, and regulatory requirements for hypergolic propellant operations
Participate in hazard analyses, safety reviews, and operational readiness reviews
Maintain accurate test documentation, configuration control, and test records
Support development and review of facility procedures, work instructions, and safety documentation

Program Support

Work directly with stakeholders of the Blue Ghost Lunar Lander program and other Firefly propulsion development efforts
Support test schedule development and resource planning for propulsion test campaigns
Provide technical mentorship and training to junior test engineers and technicians

QUALIFICATIONS

Required

BS in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Chemical Engineering, or related discipline
Minimum 5 plus years of hands‑on experience with liquid rocket propulsion test operations, including test planning, execution, and data analysis
Demonstrated experience leading or conducting liquid propulsion hotfire tests (engine, thruster, or integrated vehicle)
Strong understanding of liquid propulsion systems including propellant feed systems, pressurization systems, ignition systems, and propellant chemistry
Proficiency with fluid systems including valves, regulators, pressure vessels, propellant transfer systems, and leak detection methods
Experience with data acquisition systems, instrumentation (pressure, temperature, flow, thrust), and sensor calibration
Ability to read and interpret P&IDs, control schematics, and engineering drawings for complex fluid systems
Demonstrated experience with test data analysis and reporting
Strong problem‑solving skills and ability to troubleshoot complex systems under pressure
Excellent written and verbal communication skills

Primary Level Salary Range:

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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