Overview
Frontera Space, an aerospace-focused startup, is seeking exceptional entry-level Aerospace and Mechanical Engineers to join our growing technical team beginning Fall 2026. Founded by Firefly Aerospace founder Tom Markusic, Frontera Space is building next-generation aircraft and spacecraft while developing the engineering, manufacturing, information systems, and operational capabilities required to take advanced aerospace systems from concept to flight. Help Build the Team That Builds Spacecraft. This opportunity is designed for high-performing recent graduates who want more than a traditional entry-level engineering role. We are looking for engineers who are intellectually curious, creative, technically strong, and excited by difficult problems that do not always have obvious answers. Frontera offers hands-on training and meaningful leadership roles in a fast-paced collaborative work environment. Depending on your background, interests, and strengths, you may contribute within one or more of the following areas:
- Aircraft
- Avionics
- Controls
- Flight Software
- Information Systems
- Production
- Propulsion
- Structures
- Test and Flight Operations
At Frontera Space, early-career engineers will have the opportunity to work alongside experienced technical leaders and contribute directly to real aerospace hardware, software, analysis, testing, manufacturing, and operations. Join Frontera Space at an early stage and help create a transformational aerospace platform designed to change how high-speed aircraft and access-to-space systems are developed, manufactured, and operated.
Overview
Frontera Space, an aerospace-focused startup, is seeking exceptional entry-level Aerospace and Mechanical Engineers to join our growing technical team beginning Fall 2026. Founded by Firefly Aerospace founder Tom Markusic, Frontera Space is building next-generation aircraft and spacecraft while developing the engineering, manufacturing, information systems, and operational capabilities required to take advanced aerospace systems from concept to flight. Help Build the Team That Builds Spacecraft. This opportunity is designed for high-performing recent graduates who want more than a traditional entry-level engineering role. We are looking for engineers who are intellectually curious, creative, technically strong, and excited by difficult problems that do not always have obvious answers. Frontera offers hands-on training and meaningful leadership roles in a fast-paced collaborative work environment. Depending on your background, interests, and strengths, you may contribute within one or more of the following areas:
- Aircraft
- Avionics
- Controls
- Flight Software
- Information Systems
- Production
- Propulsion
- Structures
- Test and Flight Operations
At Frontera Space, early-career engineers will have the opportunity to work alongside experienced technical leaders and contribute directly to real aerospace hardware, software, analysis, testing, manufacturing, and operations. Join Frontera Space at an early stage and help create a transformational aerospace platform designed to change how high-speed aircraft and access-to-space systems are developed, manufactured, and operated. What You’ll Do Your specific responsibilities will depend on your technical background and assigned team, but may include:
- Support the design, analysis, development, integration, manufacturing, and testing of advanced aircraft and spacecraft systems.
- Apply engineering fundamentals to solve complex, multidisciplinary technical problems.
- Perform engineering calculations, modeling, simulation, trade studies, and data analysis to support design decisions.
- Support the design and development of mechanical systems, structures, propulsion systems, avionics, controls, software, test systems, or related aerospace technologies.
- Develop and evaluate engineering concepts from initial idea through detailed design, fabrication, integration, and testing.
- Create and review engineering drawings, models, specifications, test plans, procedures, reports, and other technical documentation.
- Support hands-on assembly, integration, troubleshooting, and testing of aerospace hardware and systems.
- Analyze test and operational data, identify issues, determine root causes, and recommend technical solutions.
- Work closely with engineers, technicians, machinists, fabricators, software developers, and other technical personnel.
- Participate in design reviews, technical discussions, brainstorming sessions, and engineering trade studies.
- Use first-principles thinking and sound engineering judgment to solve problems where established solutions may not exist.
- Identify opportunities to improve designs, processes, tools, automation, manufacturing methods, and overall system performance.
- Take ownership of assigned projects and technical tasks and drive them through completion.
- Learn quickly, ask thoughtful questions, seek out technical challenges, and continuously expand your engineering capabilities.
- Perform other engineering and technical responsibilities as needed in a fast-moving startup environment.
What We’re Looking For (Required Qualifications)
- Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a closely related engineering discipline, completed recently or in the near future.
- Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.5 on a 4.0 scale.
- Available to begin full-time employment in Fall or Winter 2026 .
- Strong competence in fundamental engineering principles, including mechanics, thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, heat transfer, dynamics, controls, structures, materials, or related disciplines.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.
- Demonstrated ability to approach technical problems creatively and think beyond standard textbook solutions.
- Ability to communicate technical information clearly and work effectively with multidisciplinary teams.
- Strong attention to detail and commitment to producing high-quality technical work.
- Ability and willingness to learn new engineering tools, technologies, and disciplines quickly.
- Interest in working in a hands-on, fast-paced aerospace startup environment where engineers are expected to take initiative and assume meaningful responsibility.
Bonus Points (Preferred)
Any of the following will strengthen a candidate’s application:
- Internship, co-op, research, laboratory, Formula SAE, Design/Build/Fly, rocketry, robotics, CubeSat, UAV, or other hands-on engineering experience.
- Experience designing, building, testing, programming, or troubleshooting mechanical, aerospace, electrical, or software systems.
- Experience with CAD, engineering analysis, simulation, programming, data acquisition, or test equipment.
- Familiarity with tools or languages such as MATLAB, Simulink, Python, C/C++, CAD/CAE software, CFD, FEA, or similar engineering platforms.
- Experience with propulsion, fluid systems, structures, aerodynamics, thermal analysis, controls, avionics, embedded systems, flight software, manufacturing, or testing.
- Personal engineering projects that demonstrate initiative, creativity, technical curiosity, or hands-on problem solving.
- Experience working on multidisciplinary teams where hardware and software must operate together.
- Evidence of exceptional technical achievement, leadership, entrepreneurship, or independent problem solving.
Who Thrives at Frontera Space We believe that intelligence and passion trump “time-served” experience. Smart and motivated people catch up and surpass experienced but technically weak and unmotivated people. We are especially interested in early-career engineers who:
- Think creatively. You enjoy finding solutions when the answer is not obvious.
- Learn quickly. You are comfortable entering unfamiliar technical areas and developing expertise.
- Build things. You want to see your engineering work become real hardware, software, tests, and flight systems.
- Take ownership. You do not wait for someone else to solve a problem that you can help solve.
- Ask why. You challenge assumptions respectfully and use engineering fundamentals to determine the right answer.
- Work across disciplines. You are interested in the complete vehicle and are willing to work outside a narrowly defined specialty.
- Value execution. You understand that great engineering ultimately has to be designed, built, tested, integrated, and operated.
- Want responsibility early. You are excited by the opportunity to make meaningful technical contributions at the beginning of your career.
Export Control Eligibility Certain positions supported by this role may involve work subject to U.S. export-control laws and regulations. Candidates for those roles may be required to meet applicable U.S. export-control eligibility requirements. Equal Opportunity Employer Frontera Space is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to providing a workplace free from discrimination and harassment and consider applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or genetic information. Why Join Us? · Frontera Space offers the opportunity to begin your engineering career in an environment where your work can have a direct and visible impact. · Rather than joining a large organization where early-career engineers may work on a small portion of an established program, you will have the opportunity to work closely with experienced engineers and technical leaders while helping develop new aerospace systems from the ground up. · Frontera Space offers meaningful equity participation and the opportunity to create lasting value while working on technologies with the potential to redefine aerospace performance, affordability, and operational capability. · This is an opportunity to do more than contribute to an established program - it is a chance to help build the vehicle, the team, and the company from the ground up. · Additional information about Frontera Space can be found at Frontera Space’s website.
- Competitive Pay
- Insurance benefits that become effective the 1st of the month following hire!!
- Tiered medical, dental, and vision insurance offerings for a co-pay plan with low deductibles and low premiums!
- 401K with company match that immediately vests starting after completing 3 months of employment
- Employee Stock Options potential