Apply on Employer Site

Firefly Aerospace · 2 weeks ago

Propulsion Engineer I (Fluids)

Cedar park, TX

Full-time

Onsite

Entry Level

1+ years exp

Firefly Aerospace is an end-to-end space transportation company on a mission to enable world-wide launch, landing, and operation in space. The Propulsion Engineer I (Fluids) will be responsible for the design, integration, and operation of fluid subsystems across Firefly’s launch vehicles and spacecraft, leading CAD design efforts and collaborating with cross-functional teams to ensure successful vehicle operations.

AerospaceAir TransportationSatellite Communication

No H1B

U.S. Citizen Only

Responsibilities

Demonstrate full ownership of launch vehicle fluid system requirements, design, and analysis from concept through flight

Lead development of innovative design concepts for propulsion integration and operations that reduce complexity and maximize reliability within program constraints

Serve as the primary technical point of contact for all launch vehicle fluid systems

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

Implement design-for-manufacturability improvements to increase production efficiency and vehicle reliability

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

Support vehicle test and launch campaigns by providing console operations support

Collaborate with manufacturing and integration teams to develop processes, work instructions, and test procedures, and provide direct build support

Drive development of efficient test and launch operations for fluid systems and assist with troubleshooting during vehicle operations

Qualification

Mechanical EngineeringAerospace EngineeringFluid DynamicsThermodynamicsCADFEACFDMATLABPythonHardware DesignFluid Components KnowledgeManufacturing KnowledgeProblem-solvingCommunicationTechnical Writing

Required

B.S. in Mechanical, Aerospace, or related engineering discipline

1+ years of experience in aerospace fluid systems or propulsion

Thorough understanding of fluid dynamics and thermodynamics

Experience with tube or pipe design and layout

Proficiency in modeling and analysis tools (e.g., CAD, FEA, CFD, MATLAB, Python)

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

Proven ability to rapidly develop solutions with partially defined or evolving requirements

Preferred

Advanced degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or equivalent field

2+ years of experience developing launch vehicle or spacecraft propulsion systems

Knowledge of material selection for cryogenic, high-pressure, and high-temperature systems as well as oxygen-compatible materials

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 conducting tubing/piping flexibility analysis using software packages such as Ansys, Caesar II, Bentley Autopipe, etc

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