Deputy Chief Engineer – Spacecraft, Structural/Propulsion

Firefly Aerospace

Deputy Chief Engineer defining vehicle-level architecture and capabilities at Firefly Aerospace. Leading interdisciplinary optimization and serving as the primary technical authority throughout mission lifecycles.

Posted 5/9/2026full-timeCedar Park • Texas • 🇺🇸 United StatesLeadWebsite

Tech Stack

Tools & technologies

TypeScript

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

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

Requirements

What you’ll need

Bachelor's degree in engineering or related discipline (e.g. computer science, mathematics, physics)
5+ years of hands-on experience with engineering problem solving in design, analysis, test, or operations of launch vehicle and/or spacecraft systems
Demonstrated ability to apply engineering fundamentals, including a strong understanding of orbital mechanics
Ability to travel approximately 10% of the time, with higher percentages in support of environmental test and launch
Strong interpersonal skills including the ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and written
Flexibility regarding workflow and process
Excellent organization skills; willingness to work with a team, share expertise, and follow instructions to accomplish established goals
Master's or PhD degree in engineering or related discipline (e.g. computer science, mathematics, physics) (desired)
8+ years of professional, hands-on experience in aerospace engineering field (design, analysis, manufacturing, test, or operations at the vehicle-level) (desired)
Demonstrated competency with engineering design configuration, risk management, and change management (desired)
Ability to anticipate the impacts of vehicle-level changes to launch vehicle and/or spacecraft systems (desired)
Experience serving as the primary technical authority over a full spacecraft lifecycle, from kickoff to mission completion (desired)
On-console test experience or support of launch vehicle and/or spacecraft system operations (desired)
Experience with real-time troubleshooting and anomaly resolution in high-stakes environments (desired)
Comprehensive understanding of aerospace manufacturing processes, materials, and specifications (desired)
Experience working in a clean room environment (e.g. ISO 14644-1:2015(E) Class 8) (desired)
Knowledge of regulatory requirements and industry standards such as Range Safety, AS9100, and SMC Standards (desired)
Experience with Atlassian products (Confluence, Jira, Bitbucket), Teamcenter, Epsilon3, and/or Odoo (desired)
TS/SCI security clearance or ability to obtain one (desired)
Planetary science experience (desired)

Benefits

Comp & perks

generous health, dental and vision plans with low plan deductibles
parental leave
educational reimbursement
short term disability
flexible PTO options

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills & Tools

engineering problem solvingorbital mechanicsengineering design configurationrisk managementchange managementreal-time troubleshootinganomaly resolutionaerospace manufacturing processesvehicle-level designmass optimization

Soft Skills

interpersonal skillseffective communicationflexibilityorganization skillsteam collaborationmentorshipleadershipproblem-solvinginnovationcreativity

Certifications

TS/SCI security clearance