Elytra RE

**Job Summary:**

Firefly Aerospace, an end-to-end space transportation company, is seeking an experienced Chief Engineer to lead the development and engineering of the Elytra space utility vehicle product line. The Chief Engineer will drive the design, development, and deployment of innovative vehicles to support various missions in space, ensuring safety, reliability, and efficiency.

**Responsibilities:**

1. **Technical Leadership**

- Lead engineering design and development of Elytra vehicles, ensuring technical requirements are met.

- Oversee integration of propulsion systems, robotics, avionics, and critical subsystems.

- Provide technical direction to engineering teams, ensuring collaboration and alignment with project goals.

2. **Systems Engineering and Integration**

- Manage systems engineering process, including requirements definition and design trade-offs.

- Ensure successful integration of subsystems like propulsion, power, and communication systems.

- Conduct design reviews, system validation, and verification activities for mission success.

3. **Innovation and R&D**

- Drive innovation in vehicle design and functionality using latest space technologies.

- Explore modern technologies to enhance program capabilities and mission flexibility.

- Identify opportunities to improve vehicle design, performance, and efficiency.

4. **Regulatory Compliance and Safety**

- Ensure Elytra vehicles comply with space industry standards and safety protocols.

- Lead safety plans development, testing procedures, and quality assurance processes.

- Maintain focus on mission assurance and risk management throughout engineering process.

5. **Stakeholder Engagement**

- Act as primary technical liaison with stakeholders, including customers and industry partners.

- Present technical updates and progress reports to senior leadership and external stakeholders.

- Collaborate with business development teams to support proposals and strategic partnerships.

**Qualifications:**

**Required**

- Bachelor's degree in aerospace, mechanical, electrical engineering, or related field (master's/Ph.D. preferred).

- Minimum 10 years of experience in space systems engineering with spacecraft design knowledge.

- Strong leadership skills and experience managing multidisciplinary engineering teams.

- Excellent critical thinking, communication skills, and regulatory compliance experience.

**Desired**

- Experience in space utility vehicle design, in-space operations, advanced materials, robotics, or AI.

- Project management certifications and Agile development experience.

- Active security clearance.