Mechanical Design Engineer (Starship Components)

SPACE EXPLORATION TECHNOLOGIES CORP; Hawthorne (CA); On-site; USD 95,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

An innovative firm is seeking a Mechanical Design Engineer to join their Propulsion Components team. This role involves designing advanced spacecraft components, focusing on manufacturability and reliability in extreme environments. You'll lead projects that drive the future of space exploration, collaborating across teams to optimize production processes and ensure the highest quality standards. If you're passionate about engineering and eager to contribute to groundbreaking technology that aims to make humanity multi-planetary, this opportunity is perfect for you. Join a dynamic team dedicated to pushing the boundaries of what is possible in aerospace engineering.

Benefits

Comprehensive medical coverage

401(k) retirement plan

Paid parental leave

Paid vacation

Employee Stock Purchase Plan

Discretionary bonuses

Vision and dental coverage

Flexible hours

Access to various discounts

Qualifications

• 1+ years of mechanical design or hands-on manufacturing experience required.
• Strong project management and communication skills are essential.

Responsibilities

• Develop manufacturable flow control devices and mechanisms for Starship.
• Collaborate with teams to enhance component build rates and quality.

Skills

Mechanical Design

Problem Solving

Project Management

Interpersonal Skills

Collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in Physics or Engineering

Master's degree in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering

Tools

Fluid Systems

Gas Systems

High Voltage Systems

Test Instrumentation

Job description

Mechanical Design Engineer (Starship Components)

Hawthorne, CA

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 for the flow and position control devices that drive the critical capabilities on the Starship/Super Heavy Vehicle- from regulators and butterfly valves to flap actuators. 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 Propulsion 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) and mechanisms (flap/fin/payload door actuators) across Starship and Super Heavy stage systems. Question requirements, delete parts and processes, simplify/optimize, accelerate, and automate component deliveries.
• 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 (internships and project teams qualify).

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, or high voltage 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 in fluid systems and solid mechanics.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Travel to vendors and other SpaceX sites as needed.
• Able to work flexible hours and occasional weekend support as needed.

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS:

Pay range:
Mechanical Design Engineer/Level 1: $95,000.00 - $115,000.00/per year
Mechanical Design Engineer/Level 2: $110,000.00 - $130,000.00/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 & long-term disability insurance, life insurance, paid parental leave, and various other discounts and perks. You may also accrue 3 weeks of paid vacation & will be eligible for 10 or more paid holidays per year.

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.

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.