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.

ABOUT THE ROLE

On the Vira propulsion engineering team, we are responsible for designing, developing, and testing the Vira upper stage engine for Firefly’s Medium Launch Vehicle (MLV). We are directly responsible for developing an engine that meets vehicle performance and quality requirements on a tight schedule. In this role, you will work across the full lifecycle of hardware, including requirements definition, design, analysis, development, test, and qualification of the engine system. The core engine team requires deep technical knowledge, extreme ownership, and clear communication with our cross-functional teams. The successful candidate will have a strong interest in flight hardware ownership, will be extremely adaptable to new challenges, and has a strong desire to make impactful contributions to Firefly’s next launch vehicle. This role is primarily responsible for designing and releasing the integrated engine system including thrust chamber, fluid lines, and valve assemblies.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Responsible for producing and releasing the Vira engine CAD model with integrated combustion devices, turbomachinery, valves, fluid systems, TVC, and avionics components
• Own and execute development, qualification, and acceptance testing of engine systems and sub-systems.
• Responsible for close coordination with other engineers, production team members, and Quality to produce and release numerous engine sub-assembly and component drawings that maximize performance and reduce manufacturing complexity.
• Maintain multiple, controlled revisions of the engine CAD as component designs are traded in analysis and iterated in development testing
• Provide hands-on support for development engine builds to iterate and improve engine design and layout
• Develop and maintain engine interfaces. Participate in test stand and vehicle installation procedures and improve them as needed.
• Communicate risks and trade solutions to minimize risk of failure in development, manufacturing, test and flight.

QUALIFICATIONS

Required

• Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or equivalent.
• 3+ years experience with CAD and configuration management tools (Siemens NX and Teamcenter preferred)
• Experience managing large CAD assemblies
• Familiarity with GD&T fundamentals, applications, and tolerance stackups
• Strong background in mechanical design and metallic manufacturing techniques including subtractive and additive machining, welding, and inspection
• Understanding of bipropellant liquid rocket fundamentals and ability to collaborate with subject matter experts to maximize engine performance
• Knowledge of material selection for cryogenic, high pressure, and high temperature systems as well as Oxygen-compatible materials
• Knowledge of fluid components such as valves, regulators, pressure transducers, tubing, pressurized hardware, seals, and instrumentation
• History of developing solutions with partially defined requirements and changing criteria

Desired

• Advanced degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or equivalent field
• Experience with liquid rocket or in space propulsion engines or systems.
• Experience in aerospace flight production programs
• Knowledge of multi-disciplinary CAD modules and interfaces (pipe routing, electrical routing, sheet metal, etc.).
• Experience and interest in automating virtual workflows and tools
• Experience reducing the complexity of large integrated assemblies to reduce part count, cost, and lead time
• Full hardware lifecycle ownership – from blank sheet design to full operation

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.