Payload Engineer II

Job Description

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 SUMMARY The Payload Engineer II is responsible for the design analysis development and qualification of the payload segment and mechanical interfaces to spacecraft for the Alpha Launch Vehicle This role provides technical leadership across the full lifecycle of the payload segment hardware including fairings attach fittings and adapters This role offers a unique opportunity to get hands on with the unique spacecraft customers driving their mission requirements into functional hardware RESPONSIBILITIES Individual contribution and teamwork as the technical owner to develop and produce both payload segment and spacecraft interfaces for individual customers to accomplish the goal of delivering launch vehicle customers to orbit Create and manage hardware definition through CAD drawings and documentation Perform andor guide detailed analysis including structural margins thermal effects and tolerance stack ups Build confidence and reliability through rigorous documentation Collaborate effectively with cross functional teams to ensure all hardware integrates seamlessly Partner with Manufacturing Quality and Supply Chain to ensure hardware is producible inspectable and flight ready Support build integration and acceptance activities resolving fit function and performance issues to ensure a successful product Lead development qualification and acceptance testing of payload hardware including component subassembly and system level tests to SMC S016 AIAA S 114 GEVS and other industry standards Hold mechanical interface control definition for unique spacecraft through documentation Support customer fit check and integrations though segment encapsulation as the technical owner Provide technical mentorship to junior engineers elevating overall design quality Act as a subject matter expert in interface meetings with customers and mission management Up to 20 travel as needed QUALIFICATIONS Required BS in Mechanical Aerospace or related engineering field 3 years of experience designing analyzing and qualifying hardware for aerospace applications or high reliability systems Demonstrated experience with flight critical structures or mechanisms Experience designing and testing for extreme environments including vibration shock and vacuum conditions Demonstrated foundation of design with carbon fiber and metallic structures Proficiency with FEA and classical hand calculations methods to evaluate strength stiffness buckling etc Ansys Femap etc Solid understanding of loads \& dynamics as they apply to primary structures Experience supporting production builds resolving nonconformances and improving producibility Experience defining qualification and acceptance test programs and interpreting test data Proven ability to make sound defensible engineering decisions under schedule and program constraints Desired MS or PhD in Mechanical Aerospace or related discipline or 5 years of experience designing analyzing and qualifying mechanical mechanisms for aerospace or high reliability systems Experience with launch vehicle or spacecraft programs from development through qualified flight Experience in customer facing technical roles Experience driving hardware through a failed test though successful product Familiarity with scripting or programming for analysis automation or data reduction Hands on experience working on final stage integration of spacecraft Working knowledge of AIAA S 114 NASA 5017b SMS S016 NASA 5020 GEVS 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 US Government space technology export regulations including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations ITAR you must be a US citizen lawful permanent resident of the US protected individual as defined by 8 USC 1324ba3 or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the US 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 originethnicity veteran status disability status age sexual orientation gender identity marital status mental or physical disability or any other legally protected status