Firefly Aerospace · 18 hours ago
Senior Propulsion Manufacturing Engineer — Valves & Components
Briggs, TX
Full-time
Onsite
Senior Level
5+ years expFirefly Aerospace is a space and defense technology company that enables our world to launch, land, and operate in space – anywhere, anytime. The Senior Manufacturing Engineer role focuses on propulsion valves and fluid system components, ensuring manufacturability and reliability of high-pressure and cryogenic hardware.
AerospaceTransportationAir TransportationSatellite Communication
Responsibilities
Lead the transition of valve and fluid component products from development to stable production
Own end-to-end fabrication, assembly, integration, and checkout processes for propulsion valves and fluid system components
Drive manufacturability reviews for valve and component designs, including tolerance strategy, materials selection feedback, and assembly approach
Partner closely with design engineering to implement DFM improvements and production-driven design changes
Develop, qualify, and scale manufacturing processes for complex fluid and valve hardware
Lead investigations of manufacturing and test failures; perform root cause analysis and implement corrective actions
Disposition non-conformances and drive permanent corrective and preventive actions
Own assembly, integration, and manufacturing instructions; continuously improve build documentation and technician usability
Develop and execute component and subassembly functional checkout and acceptance processes
Support and help define component and valve test methods and acceptance criteria
Apply GD&T interpretation and tolerance stack understanding to manufacturing and assembly challenges
Use analytical and data-driven methods to evaluate process capability, yield, and performance trends
Support cross-functional project execution across manufacturing, test, quality, and design teams
Drive continuous improvement initiatives to increase production rate, reduce cost, and improve reliability
Model and analyze manufacturing and process behavior where useful to predict risk and improve outcomes
Qualification
Required
Bachelor's degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related technical field
5+ years of experience in a Manufacturing Engineering role supporting complex mechanical or fluid system hardware
Strong experience with complex assemblies in aerospace, aviation, automotive, or similar high-reliability industries
Strong understanding of fluid system components and valve hardware, including operation, assembly, and integration considerations
Ability to read and interpret technical drawings, GD&T, and assembly documentation
Proven experience with complex troubleshooting and root cause investigation
Experience supporting hardware through development, build, and test cycles
Ability to manage complex technical projects with high ownership and accountability
Proven experience working in fast-paced, multidisciplinary environments
Excellent written and verbal communication skills for manufacturing and troubleshooting methodologies
Strong interpersonal and conflict resolution skills — must be a collaborative team player
Demonstrated ability to work with high autonomy and minimal direction
High attention to detail and sustained technical focus
Ability to thrive in high-stakes, short-deadline environments
Strong critical thinking and decision-making ability
Demonstrated interest in aerospace or 'new space' propulsion systems
Preferred
7–10+ years of experience in an aerospace production environment
Experience supporting valve, regulator, or fluid component hardware in manufacturing or test
Experience serving as responsible manufacturing or test engineer on a fluids-related aerospace subsystem
Component or subassembly test experience
Proficiency with GD&T application and tolerance analysis
Proficiency with Design for Manufacturability (DFM) methods
Experience with advanced manufacturing techniques (welding, brazing, casting, additive fabrication, forging, spin forming, etc.)
Knowledge of high-pressure, cryogenic, hydraulic, and pneumatic systems
Experience with cryogenic operations (LOX or similar)
Familiarity with FEA and/or CFD analysis results and how they inform manufacturing decisions
Experience modeling or analyzing fluid networks or component performance
Experience writing assembly and manufacturing procedures for mechanical or fluid systems
Experience writing test plans, procedures, and pass/fail criteria
Experience with Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, or similar continuous improvement methods
Knowledge of data analysis tools (Python or advanced Excel) preferred
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,Mitsui & Co.
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
2026-01-19
Company data provided by crunchbase