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. 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

The Metallic M&P Engineer will apply their broad technical knowledge and experience in metallurgy to support design, manufacturing, testing and R&D projects. The candidate must be innovative and a self-starter who works well in a team environment and has excellent interpersonal skills. The candidate will form an integral part of the advanced materials department, a team of engineers and technicians that are a focal for material related support for the company.

The candidate will serve as a materials engineering technical expert and lead strategic functional initiatives as identified by leadership in the areas of new products, processes, standards, procurement or operational plans based on business needs and in support of propulsion designs, manufacturing and supply chain.

The candidate will be expected to evaluate new materials, perform failure analysis, provide technical support to our internal and external customers, and provide innovative and timely solutions to meet company objectives.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Provide technical support for manufacturing and design teams in the areas of metallic material and processes selection and optimization, qualification, and inspection that impact product quality, reliability, durability, and capability
• Evaluate and propose materials which may be used in new or existing designs.
• Establish test scopes for material characterization and allowables development and identify required equipment or external test resources to carry out this testing.
• Design, lead and perform related material testing and evaluation, such as microscopy, failure analysis, spectroscopy, mechanical testing, thermal analysis, and corrosion testing.
• Prepare manufacturing and material procedures and requirements for metallic materials for internal and external customers.
• Represent Firefly on various industry task groups related to metallic materials and manufacturing (AMS, ASM, Nadcap, SAMPE, etc.)
• Develop and own material and process specifications in alignment with requirements, capability, and quality needs
• Coordinate inputs from Quality, Supply Chain and Engineering functions and deliver metallurgical testing/analysis results and consultancy to these functions deliver internal and external customer satisfaction.
• Conduct trade studies for new and improved parts, designs and processes.
• Lead or support material failure analysis and root cause corrective actions (RCCA).
• Lead materials engineering design and drive material technology selection in alignment with Propulsion Engineering, Operations and Supply Chain.
• Define or refine materials technology roadmaps and partner with internal and external Subject Matter Experts (SMEs), Universities, National Labs, etc. to advance materials development for Firefly products in advance of business need.
• While maintaining focus on quality, reliability, performance, cost and development predictability; provide consulting and support for unplanned critical needs.
• Provides guidance, coaching and training to other materials engineering employees, mentors junior staff and broadly shares experience and knowledge across the organization.

QUALIFICATIONS

Required

• B.S or higher in Materials Science or Metallurgical Engineering.
• 5+ years of experience in metallurgical materials research, testing or manufacturing.
• Broad technical understanding of several metallic material processes and operations including, but not limited to, casting, forging, welding, brazing, laser cladding, heat treatment, and surface engineering for aerospace applications.
• Ability to apply skills and knowledge of engineering principles and operational theories to solve real-world materials problems.
• Ability to work cross-functionally on projects that require metallurgical engineering expertise such as in material and process selection, failure analysis, material characterization, engineering standards and continuous improvement.
• Experienced in coordinating and conducting laboratory work and data analysis to drive technical materials engineering decisions.
• Ability to travel to customers and other Firefly sites up to 25% of the time.

Desired

• Advanced degree in Materials/Metallurgical Engineering or equivalent experience
• Expert in material testing, (Mechanical, thermal, microscopy, metallography, NDE, failure mode & root cause analysis), data analysis and technical writing.
• Experience working with industry standards, such as ASTM, ASM, NASA and ISO, and their uses, limitations, and applications.
• Experience working on Material allowable development programs and statistical analysis
• Experience working with rocket engines, thrust chambers or propulsion system is a plus.
• In-depth knowledge of materials process technologies and their impact on material behavior and product performance (Process-Property-Performance relationships).
• Track record of innovation and delivering strategic business results in the context of materials engineering solutions.
• Demonstrated ability to organize technical theories and develop testing methods, correlate material properties with product performance and predict various failure modes.

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.