Chief Engineer, Blue Ghost

SUMMARY

Chief Engineering serves as the technical cornerstone of Firefly's space ecosystem vision, defining vehicle‑level architecture and capabilities that reliably deliver missions from low Earth Orbit to the Moon and beyond. Chief Engineers are charged with integrating cutting‑edge technologies with disciplined risk management to ensure mission success while maintaining the highest standards of engineering excellence. As guardians of Firefly's technical integrity, Chief Engineers bridge the gap between visionary concepts and operational reality, empowering our company to enable our world to launch, land, and operate in space.

Anytime. Anywhere.

In this role, you will lead interdisciplinary optimization for your assigned program, serving as the customer‑facing technical point of contact throughout the full mission lifecycle. You'll conduct system‑level trades, analyze system commodity budgets, and develop innovative solutions that enhance vehicle capabilities. As the primary technical authority, you will ensure robust engineering rationale underpins all vehicle‑level decisions, ultimately enabling Firefly to achieve its mission of making space accessible through reliable, innovative transportation systems.

Based out of our Hive Spacecraft facility, this position requires regular presence at our Production and Test facility north of Cedar Park in Briggs, TX.

• 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 through 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

• Bachelor's degree in engineering or related discipline (e.g. computer science, mathematics, physics, chemistry)
• 10+ yrs. in spacecraft/subsystem development and operations
• 5+ yrs. in aerospace working in a leadership role
• Subject matter expert in one or more spacecraft spacecraft, space systems, or operations Engineering domains
• Active TS/SCI Security Clearance or the ability to obtain and maintain a TS/SCI Security Clearance
• Demonstrated ability to apply engineering…