Mechanical Engineer, Tower/Launch and Test

SPACE EXPLORATION TECHNOLOGIES CORP; United States; On-site; USD 75,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading aerospace company in the United States seeks a Mechanical Engineer to support the development of systems for launch operations. Responsibilities include driving hardware development within the Starship tower and launch mount, collaborating with design engineers, and ensuring robust systems performance. Candidates should have a Bachelor's degree in engineering and experience with mechanical systems. The role requires physical dexterity and the capability to work at heights and in confined spaces.

Qualifications

• 1+ years of experience with CAD and FEA software packages.
• 1+ years of experience with mechanical or fluid systems design, analysis, and hands‑on assembly.

Responsibilities

• Drive hardware development for systems within the Starship tower, launch mount, and test stands.
• Collaborate with engineers to determine how the tower, launch mount, and vehicle can work together most effectively.

Skills

CAD software

Mechanical systems design

Fluids analysis

Project management

Education

Bachelor's degree in engineering

Tools

FEA software

Job description

Mechanical Engineer, Tower/Launch and Test

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.

SpaceX is committed to developing revolutionary space technology, with the ultimate goal of enabling people to live on other planets. As a mechanical and/or fluids engineer on the starship launch pad and test site, you will support the development of SpaceX's Starship Tower, Launch Mount, and test stands, part of a fully reusable transportation system designed to launch both crew and cargo to Earth orbit, the Moon, Mars, and beyond.

Engineers in this role are responsible for hardware development from initial system architecting through the design, analysis, manufacturing, integration, activation, and operational phases. Mechanical engineers design welded structures, large-scale mechanisms, electromechanical & fluid power actuation systems, and fluid systems, including hydraulic and cryogenic. These systems are involved with performing proof and static fire testing of individual Starship stages, stacking the vehicle on the launch pad, loading propellant before launch, releasing fluid and structural connections at T-0, catching both stages when they return to the launch site, and configuring the vehicles to a safe state post-catch so they can be rapidly reflown. The Starship program is focused on rapid iteration and improvement, enabling engineers to continuously innovate and advance technology throughout the life of the program. The overarching goal of the launch mount team is to reach a zero refurbishment state where the pad can launch one vehicle and immediately be ready to launch again.

Responsibilities

• Drive hardware development for systems within the Starship tower, launch mount and test stands from basic architecture through design, analysis, scheduling, manufacturing, activation, and operational phases.
• Own design and manufacturing of mechanisms, actuation systems, fluid systems, and large structures.
• Perform structural, dynamic, thermal, and fluids analysis as necessary to determine requirements and to optimize the design of these systems.
• Work closely with software and operation engineers to develop the concept of operations for launch mount systems with the goal of developing robust, fault tolerant systems and software that perform every time in the varying extreme conditions of a launch environment.
• Collaborate with engineers designing the Starship and Super Heavy vehicles to determine how the tower, launch mount, and vehicle can work together most effectively.

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in an engineering discipline.
• 1+ years of experience with CAD and FEA software packages.
• 1+ years of experience with mechanical or fluid systems design, analysis, and hands‑on assembly (internship or project team experience qualifies).

Preferred Skills and Experience

• Master’s degree in engineering or a related technical discipline.
• 3+ years of professional experience in mechanical design and analysis.
• 2+ years of hands‑on project experience with complex mechanical systems, preferably as a lead.
• Solid understanding and application of GD&T and manufacturing techniques.
• Demonstrated understanding of structural analysis and failure modes of complex mechanical systems and weldments.
• Self‑motivated with strong organizational, written, and oral communication skills.

Additional Requirements

• Tower and launch mount hardware is typically built in tight quarters at high elevations, and physical dexterity is required.
• Ability to work extended hours and weekends as necessary.
• Physical requirements: stand up to 6 hours per day; sit up to 6 hours per day; push/pull up to 50 lbs. for 15 minutes or less per day; overhead reach up to 3 hours per day; walk up to 10 hours per day; lift/carry up to 25 lbs. for 15 minutes or less per day; climb (ladder/stairs) up to 10 hours per day; kneel/crouch up to 3 hours per day; upper body twist up to 3 hours per day; work in temperatures over 80F for 6 hours or greater per day.
• Candidate must be capable of safely working at heights (up to 500 ft), in confined spaces, using an air‑purifying respirator, operating heavy equipment and machinery, and performing the physical requirements of the job.
• To conform to U.S. Government export regulations, applicant must be a U.S. citizen or national, a U.S. lawful permanent resident (green card holder), a Refugee under 8 U.S.C. section 1157, an Asylee under 8 U.S.C. section 1158, or be eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.

Equal Opportunity Employer

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.