Mechanical Engineer, Tower & Launch Mount (Starship)

SpaceX; Florida; On-site; USD 110,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

SpaceX is seeking a Mechanical Engineer for the Tower & Launch Mount on Starship. You will design, test, and optimize primary/secondary structures, tooling, and processes for rapid build iterations.

You will mentor technicians and coordinate with production and engineering teams to deliver flight hardware on schedule. Qualifications include a mechanical/aerospace degree and 1+ year of hands-on experience with mechanical systems; GD&T, FEA, and NX/Teamcenter proficiency are highly valued.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in mechanical or aerospace engineering or related field.
• 1+ year hands-on mechanical systems experience.
• Experience in manufacturing design for aerospace structures is preferred.
• Strong GD&T knowledge and CAD/PLM tool experience.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with analysts and design team to meet tower design and manufacturing requirements.
• Develop production procedures and transition parts from development to production.
• Coordinate testing of systems and tooling to meet hardware deadlines.
• Lead on-site design engineering support for parts and assemblies.
• Create CAD models and prints for flight and tooling components.
• Build and maintain build schedules and resolve manufacturing discrepancies.

Skills

Manufacturing design experience

Aerospace/mechanical engineering

GD&T concepts

Fluid dynamics/FEA modeling

Large steel structure construction

Pressurized systems design/operation

Design for manufacturability

Welding processes knowledge

Vendors liaison

Education

Bachelor's degree in mechanical/aerospace/engineering

Tools

Unigraphics NX

Teamcenter PLM

Siemens CAD/PLM packages

Finite element software

Job description

MECHANICAL ENGINEER, TOWER & LAUNCH MOUNT (STARSHIP)

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.

The Starship launch mount and catch tower will redefine ground support systems for launch vehicles as we know them, with the ultimate goal of launching, catching, and relaunching orbital boosters in hours or days instead of weeks or months. The Mechanical Engineer role covers design for manufacturability concepts through integration and testing of these critical launch pad components. You will be highly engaged on the primary and secondary structures of the launch mount and tower, including designing tooling (assembly aides, welding, part fixturing, etc.) and processes (welding, large part movement, large structure integration) to rapidly build early versions of the tower and launch mount. Further along in the build, you will be responsible for items such as integration operations, sequencing, and working with technicians on installing flight‑critical hardware on the tower and launch mount. Throughout the build, you will be responsible for documenting processes and driving continual improvement to them for future builds. Furthermore, Mechanical Engineers will be expected to sometimes act as de‑facto supervisors and advisors to production technicians, welders, and other skilled labor partners.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Work closely with analysts and design team to ensure solutions meet the requirements for tower design as well as the manufacturing processes


• Develop production procedures/processes and manage the transition of parts and assemblies from development to production


• Coordinate and execute development, qualification, and acceptance testing of systems and tooling needed to meet hardware deadlines


• Execute design for manufacturability changes to enhance production efficiency


• Create original CAD models and prints for flight and/or tooling components


• Lead the on-site design engineering contact for the efficient build of parts and assemblies


• Create and maintain build schedules


• Resolve and analyze manufacturing discrepancies, while interfacing with the quality team (resolving issues for design, fabrication and assembly)


• Participate in design reviews internally and with suppliers and customers


• Partner with engineering and production teams to generate ideas, designs, and improvements for current and next-generation vehicles


• Source, retain and advise new and experienced vendors from a technical perspective

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering, aerospace engineering, or other engineering discipline


• 1+ year(s) of hands‑on project experience with mechanical systems (internship and project experience applies)

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:

• 2+ years of manufacturing design experience


• 2+ years of professional experience in the field of aerospace/mechanical engineering


• 2+ years of experience with Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing (GD&T) concepts


• Experience with fluid dynamics, finite element, or related computer-based modeling


• Experience with large steel structure construction (civil, naval, or mechanical)


• Experience designing and/or operating pressurized systems (cryogenic, hydraulic, compressed gases)


• Experience leading operation‑critical part mechanical design, including basic structures calculations and design considerations


• Experience with finite element analysis (FEA) software packages


• Process development, facility and line layouts, error‑proofing


• Experience with Unigraphics NX and Teamcenter CAD and product lifecycle management (PLM) systems


• Detailed knowledge of Siemens NC or similar CAD and PLM packages


• Prior experience with developing, maintaining and improving welding processes


• Strong interpersonal and organizational skills

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Flight hardware typically is built in tight quarters and physical dexterity is required


• Ability to work at elevated heights up to 500 feet


• Ability to pass Air Force background check for Cape Canaveral


• 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


• Typically exposed to work in extreme outdoor environments – heat, cold, rain


• Work performed in an environment requiring exposure to fumes, odors, and noise


• Schedule varies depending on site operational needs; flexibility required


• Flexibility to travel to other SpaceX sites (less than 25%)

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 Aff… or applicants requiring reasonable accommodation to the application/interview process should reach out to [e-mail].