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 Cedar Park, just north of Austin, Texas, Firefly is looking for passionate, hardworking innovators to join our team and help fuel our successful trajectory into space.
ABOUT THE ROLE The Senior Manager, Spacecraft Propulsion leads the design, development, test, qualification, and operation of spacecraft propulsion systems across Firefly’s Blue Ghost landers and Elytra spacecraft. The full spacecraft propulsion team includes an engine and thruster team, a fluid systems and valves team, and a thermal control systems team.
This role is responsible for delivering fully integrated, flight-ready propulsion systems while developing a high-performing team of engineers. The Senior Manager balances hands‑on technical leadership with people management, maintains ownership of hardware across the full lifecycle, and works closely with cross‑functional partners to ensure safe, reliable, and efficient spacecraft operations.
RESPONSIBILITIES
Lead spacecraft propulsion system development from requirements definition through flight operations
Manage and develop a multidisciplinary team responsible for engines, thrusters, fluid systems, valves, and thermal hardware
Maintain technical ownership of propulsion hardware across design, analysis, manufacturing, test, qualification, and operations
Serve as the primary technical authority for spacecraft propulsion systems
Plan, coordinate, and execute development, qualification, and acceptance testing, including data review and anomaly resolution
Collaborate with systems, structures, avionics, software, manufacturing, integration, quality, and test teams to ensure successful vehicle integration
Drive performance, reliability, cost, and manufacturability through disciplined design and data‑driven decision‑making
Identify and close technical risks through analysis, testing, and operational feedback
Support spacecraft test campaigns and flight operations as needed
Establish and maintain engineering standards, processes, and documentation for spacecraft propulsion systems
QUALIFICATIONS Required
B.S. in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related technical field
5+ years of experience in the design, development, and test of aerospace propulsion and/or fluid systems
3+ years of experience leading engineering teams, with demonstrated success delivering complex hardware programs
Strong technical foundation in propulsion system design, fluid dynamics, combustion, thermodynamics, and thermal systems as well as a demonstrated ability to apply these first principles to arrive at simple, robust solutions
Demonstrated experience owning hardware from early concept through testing, qualification, and operation
Hands‑on experience driving performance, reliability, or design‑for‑manufacturability initiatives
Deep understanding of storable propellant systems
Working knowledge of relevant aerospace standards and requirements (e.g., SMC‑S‑016, SMC‑S‑025)
Working knowledge of manufacturing, fabrication, integration, and quality control relevant to fluid components (such as machining, inspection, assembly, testing, etc.)
Knowledge of fluid components such as valves, regulators, pressure transducers, tubing, pressurized hardware, seals, and instrumentation and experience performing fluid systems sizing analysis with such components
Proven ability to rapidly develop solutions with partially defined or evolving requirements
Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to represent propulsion programs to internal and external stakeholders
Desired Qualifications
Advanced degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or equivalent field
Experience with hypergolic systems and the associated operational best practices
Experience with fluid system subcomponent or pressurized component development, design, or testing (such as valves, regulators, piping systems, pumps, etc.)
Proven ability to build and sustain a high‑performing engineering culture centered on ownership, learning, and execution
Demonstrated passion for advancing propulsion technology and integrating emerging capabilities into an executable roadmap
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.
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ABOUT THE ROLE The Senior Manager, Spacecraft Propulsion leads the design, development, test, qualification, and operation of spacecraft propulsion systems across Firefly’s Blue Ghost landers and Elytra spacecraft. The full spacecraft propulsion team includes an engine and thruster team, a fluid systems and valves team, and a thermal control systems team.
This role is responsible for delivering fully integrated, flight-ready propulsion systems while developing a high-performing team of engineers. The Senior Manager balances hands‑on technical leadership with people management, maintains ownership of hardware across the full lifecycle, and works closely with cross‑functional partners to ensure safe, reliable, and efficient spacecraft operations.
RESPONSIBILITIES
Lead spacecraft propulsion system development from requirements definition through flight operations
Manage and develop a multidisciplinary team responsible for engines, thrusters, fluid systems, valves, and thermal hardware
Maintain technical ownership of propulsion hardware across design, analysis, manufacturing, test, qualification, and operations
Serve as the primary technical authority for spacecraft propulsion systems
Plan, coordinate, and execute development, qualification, and acceptance testing, including data review and anomaly resolution
Collaborate with systems, structures, avionics, software, manufacturing, integration, quality, and test teams to ensure successful vehicle integration
Drive performance, reliability, cost, and manufacturability through disciplined design and data‑driven decision‑making
Identify and close technical risks through analysis, testing, and operational feedback
Support spacecraft test campaigns and flight operations as needed
Establish and maintain engineering standards, processes, and documentation for spacecraft propulsion systems
QUALIFICATIONS Required
B.S. in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related technical field
5+ years of experience in the design, development, and test of aerospace propulsion and/or fluid systems
3+ years of experience leading engineering teams, with demonstrated success delivering complex hardware programs
Strong technical foundation in propulsion system design, fluid dynamics, combustion, thermodynamics, and thermal systems as well as a demonstrated ability to apply these first principles to arrive at simple, robust solutions
Demonstrated experience owning hardware from early concept through testing, qualification, and operation
Hands‑on experience driving performance, reliability, or design‑for‑manufacturability initiatives
Deep understanding of storable propellant systems
Working knowledge of relevant aerospace standards and requirements (e.g., SMC‑S‑016, SMC‑S‑025)
Working knowledge of manufacturing, fabrication, integration, and quality control relevant to fluid components (such as machining, inspection, assembly, testing, etc.)
Knowledge of fluid components such as valves, regulators, pressure transducers, tubing, pressurized hardware, seals, and instrumentation and experience performing fluid systems sizing analysis with such components
Proven ability to rapidly develop solutions with partially defined or evolving requirements
Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to represent propulsion programs to internal and external stakeholders
Desired Qualifications
Advanced degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or equivalent field
Experience with hypergolic systems and the associated operational best practices
Experience with fluid system subcomponent or pressurized component development, design, or testing (such as valves, regulators, piping systems, pumps, etc.)
Proven ability to build and sustain a high‑performing engineering culture centered on ownership, learning, and execution
Demonstrated passion for advancing propulsion technology and integrating emerging capabilities into an executable roadmap
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.
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