Propulsion Engineer II (Valves)
This posting asks for U.S. citizenship.
About the role
ABOUT FIREFLY AEROSPACE
Firefly Aerospace is a space and defense technology company on a mission to reliably and repeatedly launch, land, and operate space systems from Earth to the Moon and beyond. As the partner of choice for critical space missions, Firefly is the firstcommercial company to launch a satellite to orbit with 24-hour notice and the first company to achieve a successful Moon landing. 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 valves available. On the fluid components team, we design, build, test, and qualify high-performance, precision fluid components tailored to the specific needs of our Alpha launch vehicle, Eclipse launch vehicle, Blue Ghost lunar landers, and Elytra spacecraft. Our team of responsible engineers own their products for the entire product lifecycle; from initial conception through qualification and handoff to the production team.
RESPONSIBILITIES
- Demonstrate extreme ownership of hardware
- Conceptualize, design, develop and deliver propulsion components to high performance systems
- Responsible for entire development lifecycle and production support as the technical expert.
- Own a combination of Firefly developed and commercial-off-the-shelf (COTs) valves, regulators and actuators
- Prepare content for and lead CoDRs, MRR, PDRs, TRRs, data reviews and CDRs
- Author and execute qualification, and acceptance test plans with hands on hardware problem solving
- Work to standardize solutions across programs and product lines
- Improve mission cadence by identifying and implementing cost saving and risk reduction measures
- Lead cross-functional teams of analysts, manufacturing engineers, quality engineers, supply chain representatives, and test engineers to deliver tested hardware on time
- Resolve non-conformances and implement design changes to improve product yield and manufacturability
- Work with the program teams to develop hardware upgrades in alignment with ambitious performance and cost goals
- Develop simulation-based design methods and validate using subscale and full-scale testing
- Lead failure investigations to determine root cause and implement mitigations
- Qualify existing and new product lines following guidance from SMC-S-016 and S-080 as applicable
- Manage multiple projects and competing priorities
Required
- BS in Aerospace Engineering or related engineering discipline
- 3+ years of experience in a valve or fluid system design-related role.
- 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 'newspace'.
- Self-motivated with minimum direction required.
- Ability to creatively develop economical solutions.
Desired
- Served as a Responsible, Manufacturing or Test engineer for an aerospace development project in a fluids related subsystem.
- Component test experience.
- Proficient with GD&T
- Proficient with DFM
- Proficient with FEA and/or CFD analysis
- Knowledge of high-pressure, cryogenic, hydraulic, and pneumatic systems
- Experience with valve and regulator design
- Experience with liquid oxygen or other cryogenic operations
- 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, 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
Firefly offers outstanding benefits for our employees, including generous health, dental and vision plans with low plan deductibles, parental leave, relocation benefits, 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.
Where you can work
Fully remote, open only to people based in United States.
Copied from the listing Firefly Aerospace published, verified 30 Oct 2026.
About Firefly Aerospace
Launches, lands and operates space systems from Earth to the Moon and beyond.
Experienced in Propulsion & Engines?
Space employers come to us looking for a particular skill, location or credential. Leave your details one time, at no cost, and we put you forward when a role matches, never without your yes.
Firefly Aerospace openings, sent to your inbox
Each week we send what Firefly Aerospace posted since the last email, with comparable openings at other space companies. No cost, and you can stop it with one click.
Hiring for Firefly Aerospace? Feature this role to get a marked Featured slot above the lists and the lead place in the weekly job email for 30 days. Pricing:$99 for a single role, or $299 to cover every role you have open. To see who else is hiring your disciplines and at what pay, read the monthly space hiring brief.