Firefly Aerospace · 5 months ago
Chief Engineer, Spacecraft
Cedar Park, TX
Full-time
Onsite
Senior Level
5+ years expFirefly Aerospace is an end-to-end responsive space company on a mission to enable launches, landings, and operations in space. The Chief Engineer will serve as the technical cornerstone of the company's spacecraft ecosystem, leading the integration of cutting-edge technologies and ensuring mission success through disciplined risk management and engineering excellence.
AerospaceAir TransportationSatellite Communication
No H1B
Security Clearance RequiredU.S. Citizen Only
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 though 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
Qualification
Required
Bachelor's degree in engineering or related discipline (e.g. computer science, mathematics, physics, chemistry)
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
Preferred
Master's or PhD degree in engineering or related discipline (e.g. computer science, mathematics, physics, chemistry)
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
Benefits
Generous health, dental and vision plans with low plan deductibles
Parental leave
Educational reimbursement
Short term disability
Flexible PTO options
Company
Firefly Aerospace
Firefly Aerospace is a space company that develops and operates launch vehicles, lunar landers, and orbital vehicles for commercial mission.
501-1000 employees
Funding
Current Stage
Public CompanyTotal Funding
$796.56MKey Investors
Northrop GrummanRPM VenturesAE Industrial Partners
2025-08-07IPO
2025-05-29Corporate Round· $50M
2024-11-12Series D· $175M
Leadership Team
Jason Kim
Chief Executive Officer
Eric Salwan
Co-Founder
Recent News
2026-01-15
2026-01-13
Company data provided by crunchbase