Mechanical Engineer, Cabin Structures (Crew Starship)

Starlink; Texas; On-site; USD 110,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

SpaceX is seeking a Mechanical Engineer for the Crew Starship team. You will own the design, analysis, and integration of spacecraft structures, mechanisms, and interior systems for lunar and Mars missions.

Responsibilities include hand calculations, FEA, rapid iteration of manufacturing processes, and leading design reviews with partners such as NASA. The role requires strong communication, leadership experience, and a deep aerospace background.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in engineering (mechanical or related).
• 3+ years of mechanical design/analysis experience; internship counts.
• Experience applying GD&T and performing design analysis in aerospace or aviation.

Responsibilities

• Own design and development of Crew Starship structures, mechanisms, or interior systems.
• Perform hand calculations and FEA to assess and optimize designs.
• Iterate manufacturing processes and development testing in a fast-paced environment.
• Collaborate with interdisciplinary teams to ensure hardware integrates with Starship systems.
• Lead design reviews with suppliers and customers (e.g., NASA).
• Conduct trade studies to optimize cost, schedule, safety, and performance.

Skills

Data-driven decisions

Leadership experience

Aerospace experience

Strong communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering

Tools

NX

GD&T

FEM/FEA

First principles

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 ENGINEER, CABIN STRUCTURES (CREW STARSHIP)

After 50 years, humankind will once again return to the surface of the moon using SpaceX’s new vehicle, Crew Starship (also known as HLS or the Human Landing System) – this time for good. Starship will usher in the next era of crewed spaceflight and exploration, ultimately allowing us to establish permanent communities on the Moon, Mars, and beyond. As a Mechanical Engineer on the Crew Starship team, you will design and build spacecraft systems that are critical to the success and safety of future astronauts. Disciplines within this team include primary and secondary structures, mechanisms, and crew-interfacing hardware. Your design solutions will be driven by all future Crew Starship missions (Lunar, Mars, etc.). This role requires full hardware ownership, from initial design requirements and concepts all the way through design, analysis, prototype, qualification, and integration.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Own the design and development of next generation structures, mechanisms, or interior systems for Crew Starship vehicles
• Perform hand calculations and FEA to develop, assess, and optimize designs
• Rapidly iterate on manufacturing processes and development testing in a fast-paced environment
• Collaborate with interdisciplinary teams to ensure hardware integrates with Starship systems and supports necessary mission operations
• Lead design reviews internally and externally with suppliers and customers (e.g., NASA)
• Negotiate complex trade studies to optimize for cost, schedule, safety, and performance, among other considerations
• Be responsible for project delivery timeline from early design through production, launch, and recovery
• Exemplify technical excellence and be accountable for your work

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor's degree in an engineering discipline
• 1+ years of experience with mechanical design and analysis (internship experience qualifies)

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE

• 3+ years of professional experience in mechanical design and analysis
• Leadership experience on an engineering or project team
• Strong ability to use data and analysis to make fast data-driven decisions
• Experience with structures, mechanisms, or interior design in aerospace or aviation industries
• Ability to perform trade studies using first principles and engineering fundamentals to make clear recommendations even with partial information
• Experienced in NX
• Solid understanding and application of geometric dimensioning and tolerancing (GD&T)
• Demonstrated understanding of structural analysis and failure modes of complex mechanical systems
• Technical knowledge of human spacecraft systems and operations
• Excellent communication skills (both written and verbal) and ability to succinctly present recommendations to other engineers, stakeholders, management, and executive staff
• Experience at a nimble engineering organization or in a highly technical position that required a scrappy, entrepreneurial manner to accomplish tasks with tight time or budget constraints

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS

• Ability to work extended hours and weekends as necessary
• Ability to travel to remote sites in Texas and Florida
• Ability to pass Air Force background check for Cape Canaveral

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