Power Systems Engineer, Launch Pad (Starship)

SpaceX; Starbase (TX); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

SpaceX's Starbase, TX-based Power Systems Engineer, Launch Pad (Starship) will design and build electrical systems for Starship launch, owning power distribution and supporting infrastructure from design through field commissioning.

You will integrate with mechanical, controls, and fluids teams, scale high-capacity power, and ensure reliability for pad and mission needs, including coordination with utilities and on-site testing.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required in electrical engineering or related field.
• 1+ years of experience in power systems design, analysis, and build.
• Experience with high-power, high-voltage systems is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Lead electrical design for Starship launch pad power systems and related infrastructure.
• Perform detailed design including schematics, wiring diagrams, SCADA, grounding, and docs.
• Develop protective relay settings and conduct load, short-circuit, arc-flash studies.
• Own sitewide power budgets, monitoring, metering, and coordinate with utilities.
• Scale power infrastructure to meet production-rate targets and field testing.
• Integrate electrical systems with high-power equipment and support field operations.
• Manage subcontractors and ensure design intent and safety compliance.

Skills

Power systems design

High-voltage systems

Team leadership

Problem solving

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering or related field

Tools

ETAP

SKM

EasyPower

PowerWorld

Matlab

PSCAD

Simulink

Job description

Power Systems Engineer, Launch Pad (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 ofenabling human life on Mars.

POWER SYSTEMS ENGINEER, LAUNCH PAD (STARSHIP)
As a member of the Starship Launch Engineering team, you design and build the electrical systems that enable a Starship launch. At Starbase, you own power distribution and supporting electrical systems for the launch mount, tower, propellant farm, power generation and storage, and ground equipment, from design through field commissioning, partnering with mechanical, controls, and fluids engineers. Your work scales high-capacity electrical infrastructure, ensuring the world’s most powerful rocket has reliable power exactly when the pad and mission need it. The position is based at Starbase, TX, with potential travel to other SpaceX facilities.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Lead electrical design for Starship launch pad and Starbase power systems, including power distribution, motor control, microgrids, and supporting infrastructure
• Perform detailed design across the full power system: one-lines, three-lines, control and relaying schematics, wiring diagrams, SCADA, conduit and cable routing, grounding, and construction documentation
• Design control panels, power distribution, and hazardous-area systems to NEC, NFPA 79, UL 508A, NFPA 70/70E, NESC, and IEEE standards
• Develop protective relay settings and schemes, and perform load, short-circuit, and arc-flash studies
• Own sitewide power budgets, monitoring, and metering, and coordinate with utilities so mission-critical pad equipment has reliable power.
• Scale launch and grid infrastructure, including standardized designs, to Starship production-rate targets
• Integrate electrical systems with high-power equipment, motion systems, and instrumentation, and support construction, activation, testing, and operations in the field
• Manage subcontractors and design documentation so installations match design intent and safety requirements

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering, computer engineering, physics, or another engineering discipline
• 1+ years of experience in power systems design, analysis, and build, with a focus on high-power, high-voltage systems

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCES

• 3+ years of professional experience in a similar role
• Professional Engineering license or intention to actively seeking PE license
• Experience with power systems analysis software and tools: ETAP, SKM, EasyPower, PowerWorld, Matlab, PSCAD, PSEE, Simulink, etc
• Experience performing basic load flow, short-circuit, arc-flash, coordination, and transient stability studiesli>
• Familiarity with industrial power systems up to 345 kV, including switchgear, transformers, BESS, VFDs, motors, distribution systems, UPS/emergency backups, power generation, relaying, metering, protective devices, and networking
• Familiarity with industrial communications protocols and networking: Modbus, IEEE C37.115, IEEE C37.111, DNP3, etc
• Experience with CAD software: Revit, AutoCAD, NX, etc
• Demonstrated initiative, creative problem-solving, and strong analytical/engineering fundamentals
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Proven ability to lead teams, work independently, and thrive in dynamic, high-stress environments with tight deadlines
• Strong organizational skills to prioritize, schedule, and implement solutions with minimal operational impact
• Ability to quickly troubleshoot issues and support technicians hands-on

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS

• Perform hands-on work in all environments (heat, cold, rain), in tight quarters or at heights
• Work extended hours and weekends as needed to support launch operations
• Remain focused in hazardous environments while wearing appropriate PPE
• Lift up to 25 lbs. unassisted
• Provide 24/7 on-call support for emergencies
• 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 Affiantive Action Plan for veterans and individuals with disabilities, or applicants requiring reasonable accommodation to the application/interview process should reach out to [e-mail] .

Voluntary Self-Identification

For government reporting purposes, we ask candidates to respond to the below self-identification survey.Completion of the form is entirely voluntary. Whatever your decision, it will not be considered in the hiringprocess or thereafter. Any information that you do provide will be recorded and maintained in aconfidential file.

As set forth in SpaceX’s Equal Employment Opportunity policy,we do not discriminate on the basis of any protected group status under any applicable law.

If you believe you belong to any of the categories of protected veterans listed below, please indicate by making the appropriate selection.As a government contractor subject to the Vietnam Era Veterans Readjustment Assistance Act (VEVRAA), we request this information in order to measurethe effectiveness of the outreach and positive recruitment efforts we undertake pursuant to VEVRAA. Classification of protected categoriesis as follows:

A "disabled veteran" is one of the following: a veteran of the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service who is entitled to compensation (or who but for the receipt of military retired pay would be entitled to compensation) under laws administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs; or a person who was discharged or released from active duty because of a service-connected disability.

A "recently separated veteran" means any veteran during the three-year period beginning on the date of such veteran's discharge or release from active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval, or air service.

An "active duty wartime or campaign badge veteran" means a veteran who served on active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service during a war, or in a campaign or expedition for which a campaign badge has been authorized under the laws administered by the Department of Defense.

An "Armed forces service medal veteran" means a veteran who, while serving on active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service, participated in a United States military operation for which an Armed Forces service medal was awarded pursuant to Executive Order 12985.