Mechanical Engineer II; Propulsion Valves

Position: Mechanical Engineer II (Propulsion Valves)
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 first commercial 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.

SUMMARYAt Firefly, we believe that building a reliable and inexpensive launch vehicle requires the most reliable, production efficient valves available. On the propulsion 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 CDRsAuthor 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 prioritiesQUALIFICATIONSRequiredBS in Aerospace Engineering or related engineering discipline3+ 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&TProficient with DFMProficient 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…