Mission Integration Engineer, Special Programs

SPACE EXPLORATION TECHNOLOGIES CORP; Hawthorne (CA); On-site; USD 110,000 - 160,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Stock options

Bonuses & incentives

Comprehensive health benefits

401(k) retirement plan

Paid vacation & holidays

Job summary

SpaceX is seeking a Mission Integration Engineer for Special Programs in Hawthorne, CA. You will own payload-to-platform integration, coordinating across vehicle engineering, structures, avionics, thermal, software, and operations to ensure a safe, end-to-end mission timeline and interface control.

The role requires a Bachelor's in engineering, ability to obtain TS/SCI clearance, and strong systems engineering and communication skills. Travel and occasional extended hours may be needed.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering or STEM field.
• Ability to obtain a Top Secret SCI clearance.
• Experience applying systems engineering methods (requirements, interfaces, verification, or integration and test).
• Excellent verbal and written technical communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Own the payload-to-platform ICD: define, baseline, and configuration-control mechanical, electrical, data, and thermal interfaces.
• Allocate customer and vehicle requirements to the interface; maintain traceability through analysis, test, and inspection.
• Evaluate payload design against platform constraints and environments for launch, on-orbit, and re-entry.
• Lead interface trades and document the technical basis.
• Disposition interface non-compliances with engineering: waiver, redesign, or operational constraint.
• Define and support integrated test: interface checkout, EGSE, mate/demate, environmental test correlation, end-to-end mission timeline.
• Build and maintain the integrated mission CONOPs with payload, vehicle, and operations teams.
• Identify technical risk at payload–platform boundary and drive mitigations to closure.

Skills

Systems engineering

Communication skills

Security clearance

Requirements management

Education

Bachelor’s degree in engineering or STEM

Master’s degree (preferred)

Tools

ICD development

Requirements verification

Integrated testing

Job description

Mission Integration Engineer, Special Programs

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.

MISSION INTEGRATION ENGINEER, SPECIAL PROGRAMS

As a member of our Mission Management team, you will own the integration of customer payloads onto the SpaceX payload platform from requirements definition through integrated test, flight, and on-orbit operations. You will work closely with technical disciplines across SpaceX, such as vehicle engineering, structures, avionics, thermal, software, flight reliability, and launch and space operations to close the payload-to-platform interface and to verify the mission can be flown safely.

You will be the owner of the payload-to-platform interface: mechanical, electrical, data, and thermal, plus the static, dynamic, thermal and electromagnetic environments for launch, on-orbit, and re-entry. You will write and maintain interface control documentation, allocate and verify requirements, run interface trades, and drive non‑compliances to a technical disposition (redesign, waiver, or operational constraint). You will plan and execute integration and test, including mate/demate, interface checkout, and end‑to‑end mission timeline verification. The work is mission and interface engineering applied to an externally built space vehicle on a SpaceX host. The ideal candidate is a self‑starter who is hungry to do work that matters, and is a quick‑learner.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Own the payload-to-platform ICD: define, baseline, and configuration‑control mechanical, electrical, data, and thermal interfaces
• Allocate customer and vehicle requirements to the interface; maintain traceability through analysis, test, and inspection
• Evaluate payload design against platform constraints and environments (static, dynamic, thermal, electromagnetic) for launch, on‑orbit, and re‑entry
• Lead interface trades (mass, volume, keep‑out, loads, power, thermal, EMI/EMC, timeline) and document the technical basis
• Disposition interface non‑compliances with engineering: waiver, redesign, or operational constraint, including work‑around plans where required
• Define and support integrated test: interface checkout, EGSE, mate/demate, environmental test correlation, and end‑to‑end mission timeline
• Build and maintain the integrated mission CONOPs (on‑orbit operations) with payload, vehicle, and operations teams
• Identify technical risk at the payload–platform boundary, including Do No Harm to the vehicle and to co‑manifested payloads; drive mitigations to closure

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s degree in an engineering or STEM discipline
• Ability to obtain a Top Secret SCI clearance
• Experience applying systems engineering methods (requirements, interfaces, verification, or integration and test)
• Excellent verbal and written technical communication skills

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:

• Active Top Secret, Top Secret SCI, or DOE Level Q clearance
• 1+ years of spacecraft, launch vehicle, or payload integration / systems engineering experience
• Master’s degree in an engineering discipline
• Hands‑on experience with ICD development, requirements verification, or integrated test
• Familiarity with launch and on‑orbit environments (coupled loads, shock, vibe, thermal vacuum, EMI/EMC)
• Familiarity with USG processes and systems
• Ability to close technical trades across multiple engineering organizations under schedule pressure
• Ability to quickly adapt and change course in a fast‑paced environment

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

• This position requires successfully obtaining and maintaining a Top Secret Security Clearance as a condition of employment. While the clearance may not be immediately necessary upon hire, we encourage you to initiate the application process promptly upon accepting this offer. Your ability to secure the necessary clearance is essential for fulfilling key responsibilities of the role. Should you be unable to obtain it, SpaceX reserves the right to modify or terminate your employment to align with operational needs
• Note that an active clearance may provide the opportunity for you to work on sensitive SpaceX missions; if so, you will be subject to pre‑employment drug and random drug and alcohol testing
• Must be willing to travel (approximately 15%) to other SpaceX locations and payload integration sites, as necessary
• Able to work extended hours and weekends when necessary to support test, integration, or critical mission timelines

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS:
Pay Range:
Level 1: $110,000.00 - $130,000.00
Level 2: $125,000.00 - $160,000.00

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 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.

Those with an active clearance will receive a 10% differential, up to an additional $20,000 annually, once officially briefed into a classified program.

• 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…? .