Analysis Engineer III

ABOUT FIREFLY AEROSPACE Firefly Aerospace is a space and defense technology company that enables our world to launch, land, and operate in space – anywhere, anytime. As the partner of choice for critical space missions, Firefly is the only commercial company to launch a satellite to orbit with 24-hour notice and the only company to achieve a successful Moon landing. Our launch vehicles, lunar landers, and orbital vehicles provide government and commercial customers with full mission services from low Earth orbit to 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.

SUMMARYAs the Lead Stress Analyst for Propulsion & Fluid Systems in the Mechanical Engineering department, you will provide technical leadership for the structural analysis of propulsion and fluid system hardware. You will own the structural integrity of engine and fluid-system components from early design through qualification and flight across multiple product lines.

This is a technical leadership role. You will define analysis methods, drive the most complex and highest-risk analyses, set the technical direction for propulsion & fluid systems stress, and be a key voice in decisions on material allowables. You will provide technical guidance and mentorship to other analysts and review internal and external analyses. You will work closely with design, materials, manufacturing, and test engineers to deliver structurally robust, weight-efficient hardware that meets program and customer requirements.

To be successful, you should be able to independently scope, execute, review, and defend structural analyses.

RESPONSIBILITESLead stress analysis of propulsion and fluid system hardware, including thrust chambers, feedlines, manifolds, valves, and pressurized components

Perform and review static, thermal, dynamic, and durability (fatigue, fracture, and damage tolerance) analyses to guide design decisions and ensure strength, stability, stiffness, and life requirements are met Perform structural analysis using both finite element analysis (Ansys and/or Nastran) and classical hand calculations, and validate models against test data Define and improve analysis methods, standards, best practices, and material allowables for propulsion and fluid systems

Generate interface loads and boundary conditions that drive sizing of downstream hardware

Develop test requirements for qualification campaigns, correlate analysis models with test data, and support anomaly investigations and design improvements

Collaborate with design, materials, manufacturing, and test engineers throughout the design lifecycle to drive manufacturable solutions

Produce clear, well-documented analysis reports, provide technical guidance and mentorship to less-experienced engineers, and review internal and external analysesQUALIFICATIONSRequiredB.S. in Aerospace, Mechanical, or a related engineering discipline5+ years of relevant experience in structural/stress analysis and qualification of aerospace or comparable high-performance hardware

Proficiency with finite element analysis (Ansys and/or Nastran) and classical hand analysis, with strong model validation and verification skills

Experience with fatigue, fracture mechanics, and damage tolerance methods for flight-critical hardware

Experience with thermal / thermo-mechanical stress analysis

Experience analyzing pressurized components such as lines, ducts, and bellows

Strong understanding of structural mechanics, load paths, and first principles related to structures and materials

PreferredM.S. or PhD in Aerospace, Mechanical, or a related engineering field

Experience with analysis of liquid…