In general, the subject matter described in this disclosure can be embodied in a fuel injector that includes an upper housing portion that defines an inlet passage adapted to receive fuel; a lower housing portion that defines a pintle-receiving cavity and an injector outlet; an electromagnetic coil assembly; a movable pintle that is: (i) located in the pintle-receiving cavity, (ii) biased to a closed position that is adapted to prevent fuel from flowing through the injector outlet, and (iii) movable, responsive to magnetic force produced by energizing the electromagnetic coil assembly, to an open position that is adapted to permit fuel to flow through the injector outlet; and a guide that is: (i) adapted to guide the movable pintle within the pintle-receiving cavity, and (ii) sized to be spaced apart from the movable pintle and provide a fluid bearing for the movable pintle during pintle movement.