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Job description
Principal Propulsion Engineer (Liquid Engines)
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
The Alpha Engines team is responsible for the design, integration, and operation of the Reaver and Lightning engines. As a Principal Responsible Engineer, you will work across the full lifecycle of hardware, including requirements definition, design, analysis, development, test, and qualification of the engine systems. In this role, you will lead CAD design and analysis efforts, collaborate with fabrication and integration teams to build and assemble the system, and support vehicle testing and launch operations. The Alpha Engines team requires deep technical knowledge, ownership of hardware from concept to flight, and clear communication with cross‑functional partners including structures, propulsion, avionics, and vehicle systems. The successful candidate will be a self‑starter who enjoys challenging assumptions, thrives in a fast‑paced development environment, and seeks to make impactful contributions to Firefly’s mission.
Responsibilities
Demonstrate full ownership of launch vehicle engine system hardware from concept to flight
Serve as the propulsion representative for Alpha engine testing, stage testing, and launch operations
Author and lead test readiness, launch readiness, and data review presentations
Continuously build and iterate on tools to optimize efficiency, performance, and predictability of Alpha operations
Lead development of innovative design concepts for propulsion integration and operations that reduce complexity and maximize reliability within program constraints.
Author and present detailed design review presentations to internal and external stakeholders
Plan, coordinate, and execute development, qualification, and acceptance testing of flight hardware, including data analysis and reviews
Identify system‑level risks, perform trade studies, and drive decisions to ensure successful vehicle operation
Develop and maintain automation tools and test data analysis capabilities
Collaborate with manufacturing and integration teams to develop processes, work instructions, and test procedures, and provide direct build support
Qualifications
Required
B.S. in Mechanical, Aerospace, or related engineering discipline
8+ years of experience developing launch vehicle propulsion systems
Experience testing or operating complex engineering systems
Thorough understanding of fluid dynamics and thermodynamics
Deep knowledge of engineering fundamentals and a demonstrated history of applying first principles to arrive at simple, robust solutions
Excellent problem‑solving, communication, and technical writing skills.
Hands‑on experience with hardware design, fabrication, and testing
Working knowledge of manufacturing, fabrication, integration, and quality control relevant to fluid components (such as machining, inspection, assembly, testing, etc.)
Knowledge of fluid components such as valves, regulators, pressure transducers, tubing, pressurized hardware, seals, and instrumentation and experience performing fluid systems sizing analysis with such components
Experience developing and formalizing procedures for complex, multistep, high‑impact operations
Proven ability to rapidly develop solutions with partially defined or evolving requirements
Desired Qualifications
Advanced degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or equivalent field
10+ years of experience developing launch vehicle or spacecraft propulsion systems
In‑depth knowledge of cryogenic, high‑pressure, or high‑temperature system operations
Experience with fluid system subcomponent or pressurized component development, design, or testing (such as valves, regulators, piping systems, pumps, etc.)
Experience in working with data acquisition systems and test instrumentation including pressure transducers, thermocouples, resistance temperature detectors (RTDs), flow meters, load cells, and accelerometers
Experience reducing the complexity of large integrated assemblies to reduce part count, cost, and lead time
Demonstrated experience with full hardware lifecycle ownership, from blank‑sheet design through full operation
Benefits
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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Who can apply
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