Dynamics Engineer (Starship)

SpaceX; United States; On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

SpaceX in the United States is seeking a Dynamics Engineer for Starship to tackle vehicle dynamics, structural-fluid interactions, and system-level analyses. The role emphasizes physics-first principles, frequency-domain methods, and cross-disciplinary collaboration with propulsion, structures, and software teams.

You will develop models, run tests, analyze flight data, and implement hardware changes to improve performance and reliability of Starship and future crewed vehicles.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering
• 1+ years of experience with structural or fluid dynamics
• Hands-on experience either analyzing data or building hardware

Responsibilities

• Resolve dynamics problems through analysis, test and the use of flight data
• Build finite element and lumped element models of launch vehicle systems
• Execute dynamic testing from start-to-finish (pre-test analysis, sensor selection & installation, testing, data analysis, signal processing and model correlation)
• Own system level analysis and drive hardware modifications or vehicle operations across vehicle engineering teams
• Perform analyses using commercial and in-house codes as well as write new code

Skills

Frequency-based analysis

Time-history vibration analysis

Python

MATLAB

Finite element modeling

Structural dynamics

Education

Bachelor’s degree in engineering

Tools

Python

MATLAB

Finite element software

Job description

SpaceX was founded under the belief that a future where humanity is out exploring the stars is fundamentally more exciting than one where we are not. Today SpaceX is actively developing the technologies to make this possible, with the ultimate goal of enabling human life on Mars.

DYNAMICS ENGINEER (STARSHIP)

The Starship Dynamics team is responsible for induced vehicle environments, system dynamics and vehicle dynamics on the Starship and HLS vehicles. The dynamics group is focused on defining forcing functions acting on the vehicle, predicting vehicle and system response, and ensuring hardware is qualified for ground testing and flight. The group has a wide range of responsibilities that include structural dynamics, fluid system dynamics, random vibration, engine dynamics and multibody dynamics. Dynamics engineers are expected to have a strong intuition of physics first principles, frequency domain analysis, and a broad range of engineering disciplines, in addition to having solid software and analytical skills.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Resolve dynamics problems through analysis, test and the use of flight data
• Build finite element and lumped element models of launch vehicle systems
• Execute dynamic testing from start-to-finish (pre-test analysis, sensor selection & installation, testing, data analysis, signal processing and model correlation)
• Own system level analysis and drive hardware modifications or vehicle operations across vehicle engineering teams
• Perform analyses using commercial and in-house codes as well as write new code

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s degree in an engineering discipline
• 1+ years of experience with structural or fluid dynamics via full-time employment, outside the classroom projects, or lab work

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:

• Hands‑on experience either analyzing data or building hardware
• Experience with frequency‑based and/or time‑history vibration analysis
• Experience with vibration, shock, and modal testing (system‑identification experience a plus)
• Experience with data processing and analysis in Python and MATLAB
• Experience with solving ordinary differential equations
• Experience with turbomachinery, combustion dynamics, fluid system modeling, or structural‑fluid coupling pogo problems
• Working knowledge of structural analysis and test, including a fundamental understanding of strength, stability and fatigue failure mechanisms

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Position may require extended work hours and weekend work

ITAR REQUIREMENTS:

• To conform to U.S. Government export regulations, applicant must be a (i) U.S. citizen or national, (ii) U.S. lawful, permanent resident (aka green card holder), (iii) Refugee under 8 U.S.C. § 1157, or (iv) Asylee under 8 U.S.C. § 1158, or be eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State. Learn more about the ITAR here (https://www.pmddtc.state.gov/?id=ddtc_kb_article_page&sys_id=24d528fddbfc930044f9ff621f961987).

SpaceX is an Equal Opportunity Employer; employment with SpaceX is governed on the basis of merit, competence and qualifications and will not be influenced in any manner by race, color, religion, gender, national origin/ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, mental or physical disability or any other legally protected status.

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