Firefly Space Systems

Propulsion Engineer III (Miranda Engine)

Firefly Space Systems$110K — $130K *
Aerospace & Defense
5 - 7 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's Degree in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering or equivalent.
  • 5+ years experience with CAD and configuration management (preferably Siemens NX and Teamcenter).
  • Familiarity with GD&T fundamentals and tolerance stackups.
  • Strong mechanical design experience with manufacturing techniques (including both subtractive and additive processes).
  • Understanding of bipropellant liquid rocket fundamentals and collaboration with experts.
  • Knowledge of material selection for cryogenic, high-pressure, and high-temperature systems.

Responsibilities

  • Produce and release Miranda fluid system designs interfacing with combustion devices and components.
  • Own and execute testing and qualification of engine systems and subsystems.
  • Coordinate with engineers and production to maximize performance through collaborative design.
  • Maintain CAD revisions as designs are iterated during testing phases.
  • Provide hands-on support during engine builds to enhance design and layout.
  • Develop and maintain engine interfaces, participating in installation procedures.
  • Communicate risks and propose trade solutions to prevent failure during development and testing.

Benefits

  • Generous health, dental, and vision plans with low deductibles.
  • Parental leave policy.
  • Educational reimbursement program.
  • Short term disability coverage.
  • Flexible PTO options.
Full Job Description
ABOUT THE ROLE

On the Miranda propulsion engineering team, we are responsible for designing, developing, and testing the Miranda first stage engine for Firefly's Eclipse vehicle. 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 complete fluids systems and secondary structures interfacing with engine and vehicle hardware.

RESPONSIBILITIES
• Responsible for producing and releasing Miranda fluids system designs interfacing 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 department 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.
• 5+ years experience with CAD and configuration management tools (Siemens NX and Teamcenter preferred).
• Experience working within 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 and experience performing fluid systems sizing analysis with such components.
• History of developing solutions with partially defined requirements and changing criteria.

Desired Qualifications
• 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.

About Firefly Space Systems

Firefly Space Systems was an American aerospace manufacturer based in Cedar Park, Texas. The company was founded in 2013 with the goal of developing low-cost launch vehicles for the small satellite industry. Firefly's Alpha rocket was designed to carry payloads of up to 1,000 kg to low Earth orbit. The company was acquired by EOS Launcher in 2017 and is now known as Firefly Aerospace. Firefly Aerospace is continuing the development of the Alpha rocket and is also working on a larger rocket called Beta, which is designed to carry payloads of up to 8,000 kg to low Earth orbit. Firefly Aerospace is committed to providing affordable access to space for small satellite operators.
Learn more about Firefly Space Systems
Industry
Founded
2013

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