ABOUT FIREFLY AEROSPACE

As an end-to-end space transportation company, Firefly Aerospace is on a mission to enable our world to launch, land, and operate in space – anywhere, anytime. Our launch vehicles, lunar landers, and orbital vehicles provide government and commercial customers with full mission services from low Earth orbit to the surface of the Moon and beyond. As part of our mission to develop cutting-edge technology, we are seeking a skilled Engine Test Engineer to join our team and play a vital role in ensuring the success of our next-generation propulsion systems. This position is located at our manufacturing and test facility in Briggs, TX north of Austin, TX.

SUMMARY

We are seeking an Engine Test Engineer to join our test team at our manufacturing and test facility in Briggs, TX. This role offers the opportunity to work directly with hypergolic-fueled propulsion systems and the complex ground support equipment that makes testing possible. 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.

As an Engine Test Engineer, you will take ownership of the development, qualification, and hotfire testing of the Blue Ghost lunar lander propulsion engine. You will work daily with hypergolic propellants and high-reliability ground systems to validate engine performance and ensure readiness for lunar missions.

Your work will include designing and executing test campaigns, improving test infrastructure, and resolving anomalies in collaboration with technicians, propulsion engineers, and system specialists. You’ll be deeply involved in the hands-on setup, operation, and troubleshooting of propellant feed, pressurization, and safety systems. You will see the impact your work has on the program week-1 and will ultimately become an expert in testing and operating of the Spectre engine.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Integrate, instrument, and conduct hotfire tests of the Spectre propulsion engine on Firefly’s dedicated hypergolic test stands
• Work directly with stakeholders of the Blue Ghost Lunar Lander program at Firefly Aerospace
• Develop and execute test plans and procedures, operating console controls, data systems, and voice communication during live tests
• Perform hands-on setup and checkout of ground support systems, including propellant transfer, pressurization, and purge systems
• Analyze and review test data to verify system performance and detect anomalies using numerical analysis tools (e.g., Python)
• Support anomaly investigations, root cause analysis, and corrective action planning
• Most importantly, become a driving force for the development of our lunar lander propulsion capabilities

QUALIFICATIONS

Required

• BS in Mechanical, Aerospace, or related Engineering discipline
• An understanding of fluid systems involving liquid fuels, oxidizers, and pressurants
• Experience with hardware such as valves, regulators, pumps, and leak-checking procedures
• Familiarity with data acquisition systems, instrumentation installation, and calibration
• The ability to read and interpret P&IDs, schematics, and engineering drawings.
• Comfortable working in PPE required for hypergolic operations, including respirators and chemical-resistant gear.
• Ability to lift 30 lbs and work on your feet during extended operations
• U.S. Person per ITAR requirements

Desired

• Direct experience in rocket engine hotfire testing or lunar lander propulsion systems
• Experience with numerical methods and automation for test data processing (e.g., Python scripting)
• Familiarity with ground support operations for propulsion system testing
• Understanding of hazard analysis and system safety engineering for toxic and flammable propellants
• Hands-on experience with hypergolic propulsion systems or other hazardous propellant systems
• Ability to perform fluid system calculations such as pressure drop, valve timing, and propellant mass flow rates
• Demonstrated success in troubleshooting complex integrated systems under schedule pressure

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, pet Insurance, 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