Propulsion Components Engineer

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

At Firefly, we believe that building a reliable and inexpensive launch vehicle requires the most reliable, production efficient propulsion components available. On the propulsion components team, we design valves, actuators, and other fluid components tailored to the specific needs of Firefly’s launch vehicles, spacecraft, and landers. Our team of engineers have cradle-to-grave ownership over the entire product lifecycle from initial conception through qualification and handoff to the production team.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Own commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) valves, regulators and actuators.
• Define requirements and conduct testing for qualification, and acceptance of COTS components.
• Point of contact for COTS components on launch vehicle, lunar lander and in-space vehicle programs with respect to system design, qualification, troubleshooting and commissioning.
• Standardize COTS components across all programs.
• Improve mission cadence by identifying and implementing cost saving and risk reduction measures with respect to COTS components.
• Work in cross-functional teams in analysis, manufacturing, and test engineering.
• Resolve non-conformances and make design changes to prevent reoccurring issues.
• Work with the program teams to develop hardware upgrades in alignment with ambitious performance and cost goals.
• Assist with the transition from development to production, including first articles.
• Develop and validate simulation-based methods using subscale and full-scale testing.

QUALIFICATIONS

Required

• BS in Aerospace Engineering or related engineering discipline
• Early career encouraged to apply
• Exceptional comprehension of engineering fundamentals including fluid mechanics, heat transfer, structural analysis, materials, and processes.
• Strong understanding of fluid systems aspects such as fluids systems sizing, valve design and operation, instrumentation, flexible element design & integration and fluid fittings
• Skilled in creating analytical/numerical models of engineering devices and processes.
• Ability to successfully manage complex projects.
• Works well in a collaborative, fast paced, multidisciplinary environment.
• Demonstrated interest in advancing 'new space'.
• Self-motivated with minimum direction required.
• Ability to creatively develop economical solutions.

Desired

• Served as a Responsible Engineer for a rocket development project in a fluids related subsystem
• Component test experience
• Knowledge of high-pressure, cryogenic, hydraulic, pneumatic, and electrical power systems
• Experience with valve and regulator design
• Experience with liquid oxygen or other cryogenic operations
• Experience with hypergolic and/or pyrophoric fluids[EM1]
• Experience modeling fluid networks
• Experience with rapid development techniques for hardware

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.