Propulsion Engineer II - Engine Design

About the Role

The Alpha Engines team is responsible for the design, integration, and operation of the Reaver and Lightning engines that power the first and second stages of Firefly's Alpha launch vehicle.

As a Design Engineer for Alpha Engines, you will own the CAD of the large engine assemblies, manage configuration and revision control, develop and implement proper design standards and processes, assist the team with translating the design intent of their hardware into producible, well-toleranced models and drawings, and be the team's go-to expert for CAD and GD&T.

This role requires expert command of CAD and GD&T, meticulous attention to detail, extreme ownership of the design data that drives manufacturing and inspection, and clear communication with cross-functional partners including propulsion, systems, production, and quality. The successful candidate will be a self-starter who enjoys challenging assumptions, thrives in a fast-paced development environment, and seeks to make impactful contributions to Firefly's mission.

Responsibilities

• Own and manage the CAD models and large, multi-level assemblies for Alpha engine hardware, maintaining assembly structure, mates, and configuration integrity as the design matures
• Create, release, and review detailed manufacturing drawings with appropriate GD&T that properly communicates design intent per ASME Y14.5
• Analyze tolerance stackups across assemblies
• Establish and enforce CAD best practices, modeling standards, templates, and assembly structures that keep large assemblies robust, performant, and maintainable
• Manage configuration, revision, and change control of models, drawings, and bills of materials within the PLM system, including release workflows
• Collaborate with manufacturing, quality, and suppliers to ensure drawings are manufacturable and inspectable, and support disposition of non-conformances
• Support design reviews with up-to-date model and drawing deliverables
• Lead development of design concepts that reduce part count, complexity, cost, and lead time while preserving design intent and maximizing reliability
• Provide hands-on CAD and GD&T support to the broader Alpha Engines team

Qualifications

Required

• B.S. in Mechanical, Aerospace, or a related engineering discipline, or equivalent design and drafting experience
• 1-3 years of experience in mechanical design of hardware
• Expert proficiency with 3D CAD, including the modeling and management of large, complex assemblies (Siemens NX strongly preferred)
• Strong command of GD&T, tolerancing, and ASME Y14.5, and the ability to produce complete, manufacturable, and inspectable engineering drawings
• Experience with PLM and configuration management tools (Teamcenter preferred), including formal revision and change control
• Experience performing tolerance stackups and fit, clearance, and interference analysis across assemblies
• Working knowledge of manufacturing and inspection methods (precision machining, castings/forgings, additive manufacturing, welding, sheet metal, assembly, and NDT) and design for manufacturability
• Deep knowledge of engineering fundamentals and a demonstrated history of applying first principles to arrive at simple, robust solutions
• Excellent problem-solving, communication, and technical writing skills
• Proven ability to rapidly develop solutions with partially defined or evolving requirements

Desired Qualifications

• Advanced degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or an equivalent field
• 5+ years creating flight hardware CAD and drawings for launch vehicle, spacecraft, or liquid rocket engine propulsion systems
• Experience administering or customizing NX and Teamcenter (templates, standards, item types, and release workflows)
• Familiarity with Python, NX Open, or other scripting to automate CAD and drawing tasks
• Experience with model-based definition (MBD) and GD&T-driven inspection, including CMM and first-article inspection
• In-depth knowledge of cryogenic, high-pressure, or high-temperature hardware and compatible material selection
• Proven experience reducing the complexity of large integrated assemblies to reduce part count, cost, and lead time
• Demonstrated experience supporting the full hardware lifecycle, from blank-sheet design through application

Additional information

Firefly offers outstanding benefits for our employees, including generous health, dental and vision plans with low plan deductibles, parental leave, relocation benefits, 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.