Mechanical Design Engineer (Starship Components)

InvestedintheMission; Hawthorne (CA); On-site; USD 115,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

SpaceX in Hawthorne, CA seeks a Mechanical Design Engineer for Starship components to own design, analysis, testing, and production integration of flow control devices and electromechanical systems.

The role emphasizes leadership, cross-functional collaboration, and innovative testing to meet stringent aerospace requirements across extreme environments.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in physics or an engineering discipline.

Responsibilities

• Develop state-of-the-art, manufacturable flow control devices (valves, regulators, solenoids), mechanisms (flap/fin/payload door actuators), and electromechanical devices through end-to-end ownership across Starship and Super Heavy stage systems.
• Validate reliability of hardware and designs with rigorous testing including shock, vibration, thermal cycling, pressure cycling, and climatic exposure.
• Partner with manufacturing, production, testing, and supply chain to achieve high component build rate and optimize delivery.
• Generate and maintain detailed drawings, component specifications, analyses and risk assessments.
• Spearhead root cause investigations and implement corrective actions to prevent repeat failures.
• Set the standard for rigorous component design and qualification testing as the vehicle matures.
• Target zero in-flight anomalies of propulsion components to minimize delays.
• Act as chief engineer collaborating with stage/components to simplify solutions and minimize payload cost.

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Leadership

Test instrumentation

Electro-mechanical devices

Solid mechanics & dynamics

Education

Bachelor’s degree in physics or engineering

Tools

Pressure transducers

Thermocouples

Resistance temperature detectors

Relays

Solenoid valves

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.

MECHANICAL DESIGN ENGINEER (STARSHIP COMPONENTS)

The Propulsion Components team develops the most advanced spacecraft and launch vehicle components in the world. Our engineers serve as hardware experts across fluid and electromechanical devices that drive the critical capabilities on the Starship/Super Heavy Vehicle - from regulators and butterfly valves to flap actuators and more. You will demonstrate extreme ownership through deep understanding of the functionality, design, and requirements from concept to delivery of hardware. We design, develop and characterize components for simplicity, manufacturability and reliability in extreme environments, with temperatures ranging from 80 to 800 K, and pressures beyond 800 bar. As a Components Engineer at SpaceX, you will have the opportunity to utilize your knowledge, experience, and creativity to develop novel solutions at the cutting edge of space technology. You will own the relationship between our vehicle hardware/systems teams and manufacturing teams while spearheading your own projects, utilizing your skills in analysis, development testing, and mechanical design. You will provide input into vehicle architecture trades and take a lead role in design and flight readiness on Starship, the vehicle that will make humanity multi-planetary.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Develop state-of-the-art, manufacturable flow control devices (valves, regulators, solenoids), mechanisms (flap/fin/payload door actuators), and electromechanical devices through end-to-end ownership (design, analysis, production layout, assembly, environmental testing, and vehicle integration) across Starship and Super Heavy stage systems. Question requirements, delete parts and processes, simplify/optimize, accelerate, and automate component deliveries
• Validate reliability of hardware and designs with rigorous testing: shock, vibration, thermal cycling, pressure cycling, and climatic exposure. Design experiments to ground analysis, develop fixturing, and create technical reports based on results
• Partner with manufacturing, production, testing, and supply chain to achieve SpaceX’s highest-yet component build rate, striving for high factory yield and automotive volume/cost. Accelerate component delivery to >1 full stacked launch vehicle per month
• Generate and maintain detailed drawings, component specifications, analysis and risk assessments
• Spearhead root cause investigations that arise in development, production, test, integration and launch, implement corrective actions to prevent repeat failures
• Set the standard for rigorous component design and qualification testing, increasing scrutiny as the vehicle matures in pursuit of commercial and crewed orbital missions
• Target zero in-flight anomalies of propulsion components. Reduce component-caused production and launch delays, and minimize containments
• Act as the chief engineer, collaborating with stage/component teams to arrive at the simplest solution for the vehicle. Inform system-level architecture, with component capabilities and vulnerabilities in mind, to minimize cost of payload to orbit

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree in physics or an engineering discipline
• 1+ years of mechanical design/hands-on manufacturing experience

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE

• Strong interpersonal and collaborative skills, enthusiasm for problem solving, and desire to optimize modern rocket production and launch processes
• 1+ years of experience designing and analyzing mechanical systems via professional work experience, project/research-based student experience, or a combination of both
• Master's degree or 1+ years of professional experience in mechanical or aerospace engineering
• Experience designing, building, testing and troubleshooting mechanical systems
• Strong project management skills and effective communication of technical concepts across multi-disciplinary teams
• Hands-on experience with fluid, gas, thermal, high voltage, or electronics systems
• Leadership experience on a project or research team
• Experience using test instrumentation and control components (e.g. pressure transducers, thermocouples, resistance temperature detectors, relays, solenoid valves, etc.)
• Knowledge of electro-mechanical devices, gear trains, actuators, motors, valves, regulators, or other fluid and position control devices
• Understanding of fundamental principles of solid mechanics and dynamics

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS

• Extended hours and weekend work may be required to support critical project and mission milestones
• Must be willing to travel (< 25%)

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

Pay range:
Mechanical Design Engineer/Level 1: $100,000.00 - $117,500.00/per year
Mechanical Design Engineer/Level 2: $115,000.00 - $140,000.00/per year

Your actual level and base salary will be determined on a case-by-case basis and may vary based on the following considerations: job-related knowledge and skills, education, and experience.

Base salary is just one part of your total rewards package at SpaceX. You may also be eligible for long-term incentives, in the form of company stock, stock options, or long-term cash awards, as well as potential discretionary bonuses and the ability to purchase additional stock at a discount through an Employee Stock Purchase Plan. You will also receive access to comprehensive medical, vision, and dental coverage, access to a 401(k) retirement plan, short and long-term disability insurance, life insurance, paid parental leave, and various other discounts and perks. You may also accrue 3 weeks of paid vacation and will be eligible for 10 or more paid holidays per year. Employees accrue paid sick leave pursuant to Company policy which satisfies or exceeds the accrual, carryover, and use requirements of the law.

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.

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 Affimative Action Plan for veterans and individuals with disabilities, or applicants requiring reasonable accommodation to the application/interview process should reach out to [e-mail].