Fluids GSE Design Engineer II Verified today

About Firefly Aerospace

Firefly Aerospace is a space and defense technology company developing launch, landing, and spacecraft operations from Earth to the Moon and beyond. Headquartered in north Austin, Texas, Firefly was the first commercial company to launch a satellite to orbit with 24-hour notice and the first to achieve a successful Moon landing.

The Role

As a Fluids Ground Support Equipment (FGSE) Design Engineer II, you will develop Firefly's next generation of launch sites, test stands, and production equipment supporting the entire fleet of launch vehicles and spacecraft. You will work in small collaborative groups on fluid system design, installation, maintenance, and operation across various facilities, including preliminary and detailed design, installation, startup support, system baselining, performance analysis, and recommending upgrades.

What You'll Do

• Design ground fluid systems: develop P&IDs, perform tube and pipe sizing calculations for cryogenic, multiphase, compressible and incompressible fluids, specify valves/fittings/components, design critical safety equipment, establish control philosophy for modifications, and specify pipe and equipment coating and insulation
• Manage fabrication, installation, checkout, and operation of fluid systems
• Coordinate and plan fabrication and construction with GSE technician teams, providing P&IDs, dimensional drawings, work instructions, scheduling, and incorporating technician feedback
• Provide on-the-ground support and direction to build teams
• Lead and participate in internal design reviews, operations readiness reviews, and represent Firefly in external reviews
• Perform activation testing: determine test objectives and requirements, write detailed procedures with safety focus, execute test plans, and coordinate with other teams
• Maintain and upgrade fluid systems, including developing preventative maintenance plans
• Troubleshoot systems for nonconformances and use the company's nonconformance reporting system
• Travel to test and launch sites as required to support company objectives (30% travel expected)
• Maintain high understanding of relevant requirements and engineering codes including ASME B31.1, ASME B31.3, ANSI, API, and applicable NFPA standards, plus launch range requirements

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering, aerospace engineering, or related engineering discipline
• Strong understanding of first-principles in fluids, heat transfer, and thermodynamics
• 2+ years recent professional experience with fluid systems, pneumatics, hydraulics, or HVAC systems in design, assembly, test, or operations capacity
• Ability to prioritize and execute tasks in high-pressure, fast-paced environment
• Self-motivation and initiative to ensure systems are functional and operating at peak performance
• Willingness to take extreme ownership over large or complex systems
• Capable of balancing detailed design tasks with project management tasks including budgeting, scheduling, and communications
• Ability to organize, communicate, and lead in multidisciplinary environment
• Willingness to travel 30% in support of GSE build and activation

Desired Qualifications

• Cryogenic system design and operational experience
• Experience in aerospace, R&D, or oil and gas environment
• Experience or familiarity with building or operating distributed control systems (instrumentation, data acquisition, DCS, SCADA)
• Strong 3D CAD experience, preferably Siemens NX and Teamcenter
• Experience developing test and operational procedures
• Familiarity with ASME, NASA, and SSCMAN standards related to fluid system design
• 5+ years recent professional experience with fluid systems, pneumatics, hydraulics, or HVAC systems in design, assembly, test, or operations capacity
• Hands-on experience building, troubleshooting, and operating complex fluid or mechanical systems
• Direct experience with design and build of ground systems (GSE) or related fluid systems including test environments, fluid or gas conditioning/storage, manufacturing processes, and compressible gases

Employment Details

Firefly offers health, dental and vision plans with low deductibles, parental leave, educational reimbursement, short-term disability, and flexible PTO.

To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations including ITAR, you must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident, protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.