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Career Opportunities with Firefly Aerospace
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Deputy Chief Engineer, Spacecraft (Structural/Propulsion)
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:
Chief Engineering serves as the technical cornerstone of Firefly's space ecosystem vision, defining vehicle-level architecture and capabilities that reliably deliver missions from low Earth Orbit to the Moon and beyond. Chief Engineers are charged with integrating cutting‑edge technologies with disciplined risk management to ensure mission success while maintaining the highest standards of engineering excellence. As guardians of Firefly's technical integrity, Chief Engineers bridge the gap between visionary concepts and operational reality, empowering our company to enable our world to launch, land, and operate in space. Anytime. Anywhere.
In this role, you will lead interdisciplinary optimization for your assigned program, serving as the customer‑facing technical point of contact throughout the full mission lifecycle. You'll conduct system‑level trades, analyze system commodity budgets, and develop innovative solutions that enhance vehicle capabilities. As the primary technical authority, you will ensure robust engineering rationale underpins all vehicle‑level decisions, ultimately enabling Firefly to achieve its mission of making space accessible through reliable, innovative transportation systems. Based out of our Hive Spacecraft facility, this position requires regular presence at our Production and Test facility north of Cedar Park in Briggs, TX.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
Define vehicle-level architecture, capabilities, specifications, operations, and interdisciplinary optimization in alignment with Firefly objectives
Influence and direct configuration requirements by conducting, evaluating, and leading system‑level trades to drive innovation in vehicle design and functionality
Analyze and optimize mass, delta V, power, and data budgets, ensuring technical feasibility and operational success
Chair vehicle-level design and milestone reviews, holding the team to the Firefly and Program standards to meet the risk posture of the program
Develop innovative solutions for vehicle design and operations, integrating modern technologies to improve program capabilities
Identify creative ways to achieve standardization and commonality of component selection and integrated system designs across Firefly programs/product lines
Own the technical risk posture for assigned program/product and missions as the authority for vehicle risk
Actively reduce system vulnerabilities through robust root cause investigation, change management, corrective action, and risk mitigation/verification plans
Review and validate designs, work instructions, nonconformances, test plans, and test procedures across sub‑systems
Manage program risks by identifying, mitigating, and tracking potential technical issues, while enabling cross‑department/program communication of impacts risks and associated changes
Provide real time (on‑console) support for integrated operations, working to resolve live anomalies during mission operations
Lead interdisciplinary efforts in coordination with Business Development, Engineering, Program Management, and Operations for your assigned program/product
Collaborate with Production, Integration, and Quality Assurance departments to ensure seamless operations
Act as the primary technical point of contact for customers, vendors, and program partners across the full lifecycle (from proposal through end of mission data reviews)
Represent Firefly at conferences, reviews, and investor meetings
Lead Mission Readiness and Data Reviews to ensure the vehicle and personnel are ready to support missions for assigned program/product
Provide technical mentorship to the team and facilitate the training pipeline for the Chief Engineering team
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:
Required
Bachelor's degree in engineering or related discipline (e.g. computer science, mathematics, physics)
5+ years of hands‑on experience with engineering problem solving in design, analysis, test, or operations of launch vehicle and/or spacecraft systems
Demonstrated ability to apply engineering fundamentals, including a strong understanding of orbital mechanics
Ability to travel approximately 10% of the time, with higher percentages in support of environmental test and launch
Strong interpersonal skills including the ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and written
Flexibility regarding workflow and process
Excellent organization skills; willingness to work with a team, share expertise, and follow instructions to accomplish established goals
Master's or PhD degree in engineering or related discipline (e.g. computer science, mathematics, physics)
8+ years of professional, hands‑on experience in aerospace engineering field (design, analysis, manufacturing, test, or operations at the vehicle-level)
Demonstrated competency with engineering design configuration, risk management, and change management
Ability to anticipate the impacts of vehicle‑level changes to launch vehicle and/or spacecraft systems
Experience serving as the primary technical authority over a full spacecraft lifecycle, from kickoff to mission completion
On‑console test experience or support of launch vehicle and/or spacecraft system operations
Experience with real‑time troubleshooting and anomaly resolution in high‑stakes environments
Comprehensive understanding of aerospace manufacturing processes, materials, and specifications
Experience working in a clean room environment (e.g. ISO 14644‑1:2015(E) Class 8)
Knowledge of regulatory requirements and industry standards such as Range Safety, AS9100, and SMC Standards
Experience with Atlassian products (Confluence, Jira, Bitbucket), Teamcenter, Epsilon3, and/or Odoo
TS/SCI security clearance or ability to obtain one
Planetary science experience
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.
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