Launch and Test Engineer, Fluids

SPACE EXPLORATION TECHNOLOGIES CORP; Town of Florida (NY); On-site; USD 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible hours

Health insurance

401(k) plan

Job summary

SPACE EXPLORATION TECHNOLOGIES CORP is seeking a Launch & Test Engineer in New York to engage in hands-on tasks involving critical rocket launch systems. As a part of your role, you will analyze and design systems while ensuring effective project execution and communication with teams.

The ideal candidate possesses a Bachelor’s degree in mechanical, chemical, or aerospace engineering, along with at least one year of build or design experience. Team collaboration and quick problem solving are essential for success in this fast-paced environment.

Qualifications

• 1+ years of hands-on build or design experience required.
• Experience with mechanical, fluids, or thermal design in an industrial setting preferred.
• Knowledge of high pressure and cryogenic fluid systems and FEA or CFD is beneficial.

Responsibilities

• Analyze and build systems supporting rocket launches.
• Own projects from design to construction.
• Work with teams to solve real-world engineering problems.

Skills

Problem solving

Fluid systems

Mechanical design

CAD design

Collaboration

Education

Bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering, chemical engineering, aerospace engineering

Tools

Stock CAD software

Instrumentation

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.

Launch & Test Engineer, Fluids

Aggressively‑paced, constantly‑evolving, results‑focused, real‑as‑it‑gets engineering position available for the ambitious. We design, build, activate, modify, improve, and maintain the fluid and mechanical systems that launch the most powerful rocket in the world. You can plan on having your skills put to the test, having hardware you designed, made, and installed the same day in a development‑focused environment. From tens of thousands of gallons per minute of cryogens to tens of pounds per second of high‑pressure gas, we develop clever solutions to meet the needs of a demanding launch and test program both today and for the future.

Responsibilities

• Analyze, design, and build systems that support critical rocket launches and testing
• Cradle‑to‑grave project ownership through hosting design reviews, project decision justification, equipment procurement, and coordination and assistance of the construction of your ideas
• Design modular hardware capable of being manufactured at volume for future launch sites across the world
• Apply interdisciplinary engineering skills in fields of system‑level process design and initial sizing, detailed pressurized fluid and thermal analysis, structural engineering, materials and component selection and cost/schedule optimization
• Work directly with technicians and support groups to build your designs, and fix real‑world problems on the fly
• Maintain a tight feedback loop with the launch operations team to rapidly alter plans as necessary to meet tight deadlines
• Activate and troubleshoot equipment to achieve design objectives and iterate system maintenance strategies to reduce future downtime
• Hands‑on approach to tackling daily field projects necessary to keep the company launching rockets

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering, chemical engineering, aerospace engineering, or other engineering discipline
• 1+ years of hands‑on build or design experience (internship, club, and competition team experience qualifies)

Preferred Skills and Experience

• Ability to work independently as well as part of a team, take initiative, and communicate effectively
• Ability to rapidly change roles/responsibilities while maintaining a high sense of urgency in a high‑paced, challenging work environment
• Willingness to perform other related duties for the purpose of ensuring an efficient and effective work environment
• Experience with quick‑thinking and problem solving in stressful situations
• Experience solving challenges posed by short deadlines
• Strong fundamental intuition of fluid and/or structural/mechanical systems
• Creativity to imagine and design for reliability, efficiency, and maintainability from scratch
• General hands‑on experience; machining, welding, and other fabrication techniques is a plus
• Experience with instrumentation, testing, data review and analysis, verification against an analytical model
• 3+ years of mechanical, fluids, or thermal design experience in an industrial setting or equivalent
• Experience with high pressure and cryogenic fluid systems and components
• Experience producing drawings for fabrication
• Collaborative team player, eager to find the best solution while balancing cost and schedule
• Acute attention to detail, ability to see interactions with other systems to avoid problems
• Intermediate skill level using CAD (NX a plus)
• Ability to verify designs with simplified hand calculations; experience in FEA or CFD is a plus
• American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) piping and pressure vessel design experience
• Creative and passionate approach to addressing opportunities and challenges, and an enthusiastic, self‑motivated, positive can‑do attitude
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills

Additional Requirements

• Ability to respond to emergencies to support priority projects, missions, and launches
• Ability to pass Air Force background check for Cape Canaveral
• Ability to work extended hours and weekends as needed; flexibility is required
• Ability to work in extreme outdoor environments when needed – heat, cold, wind, rain, etc.
• Ability to work in an environment requiring exposure to fumes, odors, and noise
• Working conditions may be in tight quarters and physical dexterity is required
• Ability to perform job duties that require standing, kneeling, crouching, twisting upper body, working in cramped positions in small openings, and climbing hand over hand
• Ability to lift heavy objects up to 25 lbs. unassisted
• Ability to work on ladders, lifts, and at elevated heights (up to 300 feet) with proper personal protective equipment (PPE)
• 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

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.

Applicants wishing to view a copy of SpaceX’s affirmative action plan for veterans and individuals with disabilities, or applicants requiring reasonable accommodation to the application/interview process should reach out to [e-mail].