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About Firefly Aerospace

As an end-to-end space transportation company, Firefly Aerospace is on a mission to enable our world to
launch, land, and operate in space – anywhere, anytime. Our launch vehicles, lunar landers, and orbital
vehicles provide government and commercial customers with full mission services from low Earth orbit to
the surface of the Moon and beyond. Headquartered in North Austin, Texas, Firefly is looking for
passionate, hardworking innovators to join our team and help fuel our successful trajectory into space.

Job Summary

The Principal Engineer, Combustion Devices is a senior technical authority responsible for the architecture, design, analysis, development and operation of combustion hardware across Firefly's propulsion systems. Combustion devices include thrust chambers, injectors, and supporting systems for launch vehicle and spacecraft propulsion.

This role provides deep technical leadership across multiple programs, guiding design decisions, test strategy, and risk closure for critical hardware. The successful candidate is hands-on, analytically rigorous, and capable of influencing vehicle-level outcomes through disciplined engineering judgement. This role also serves as a technical mentor and resource across the propulsion organization.

Essential Functions

• Lead the design, analysis, and development of combustion devices
• Own critical combustion hardware across the full lifecycle, from concept and trade studies through qualification, flight, and operations
• Perform and guide combustion stability, performance, thermal, and durability analyses
• Define test objectives, instrumentation, and success criteria for component- and engine-level hot-fire testing
• Serve as a senior technical contributor during test operations, anomaly investigations, and flight readiness activities
• Drive reliability improvements through design iteration, failure analysis, and data-driven risk closure
• Support advanced propulsion system trade studies for new engines and vehicle architectures
• Develop and maintain analysis methods, models, and tools to support design decisions and situational awareness
• Mentor early-career engineers through design reviews, technical guidance, and hands-on support
• Support onboarding and technical training of new propulsion engineers
• Collaborate closely with systems, fluids, turbomachinery, structures, manufacturing, integration, quality, and test teams
• Contribute technical input to program planning, proposal development, and customer discussions as needed

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering, aerospace engineering, or related field
• 10+ years of experience in the design, development, and integration of propulsion and fluid systems for aerospace applications
• Excellent leadership skills, with the ability to inspire and mentor a high-performing technical team
• Proven track record of successfully delivering complex propulsion or fluid system projects, from concept to flight qualification
• Exceptional problem-solving and analytical skills, with keen attention to detail and a focus on delivering high-quality solutions
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to effectively collaborate with cross-functional teams and external stakeholders
• Deep knowledge and expertise in combustion device design principles, fluid dynamics, combustion processes, and thermal management for space application

Preferred Qualifications

• Advanced degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or related field
• Experience integrating, testing, and launching liquid propulsion vehicles
• Proficiency in conducting thermal analysis and optimization of propulsion systems to ensure reliable performance and safety
• Familiarity with engineering software and tools such as Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD), Finite Element Analysis (FEA), and simulation software used in propulsion design and testing
• Understanding of materials selection and manufacturing processes relevant to propulsion system components to ensure reliability and performance

Disclaimer

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.