Principal Construction Project Engineer (Starship Infrastructure - Louisiana)

SpaceX; South Carolina; On-site; USD 180,000 - 280,000; Full time

Job summary

SpaceX is seeking a Principal Construction Project Engineer for Starship infrastructure, based in Starbase, Texas, with relocation to Louisiana required in 2027. You will own land development and utility projects for a high-rate starship launch site, and lead the field planning from feasibility through activation.

You will coordinate with electrical, piping, geotechnical, and surveying teams, manage contracts, and drive permitting at multiple government levels, ensuring schedule and budget

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering discipline, architecture, or construction management.
• 10+ years of construction experience.
• Professional Engineer (PE) license preferred.
• Willingness to relocate to Louisiana for the role.

Responsibilities

• Own land development and utility projects from scope to activation.
• Build grading, drainage, stormwater management, and underground utilities.
• Review civil designs and create buildable sequences and field plans.
• Manage field quality control and coordinate a multi-discipline contractor team.
• Drive permits with local, state, and federal agencies.
• Set requirements with contractors and manage contracts through closeout.
• Resolve field design and construction conflicts in real time.

Skills

Bachelor's degree

10+ years experience

Land development

PE license

CAD software

Stormwater management

Hydraulics

Surveying

Piping

Geotechnical

Decision making

Fast-paced environment

Education

Bachelor’s degree in engineering or construction management

Tools

AutoCAD

Civil 3D

Revit

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.

PRINCIPAL CONSTRUCTION PROJECT ENGINEER (STARSHIP INFRASTRUCTURE - LOUISIANA)

As a member of the launch infrastructure development team, you will work with engineers across multiple disciplines to design, build, and activate our third orbital launch site and the infrastructure required to fly Starship, the most powerful rocket in the world, at a high rate. This position is based in Starbase, Texas (Brownsville / South Padre Island area) until early 2027, when relocation to Louisiana will be required.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Own land development and utility projects from early scope through activation, and deliver them on time and on budget
• Build grading, drainage, stormwater management, erosion and sediment control, domestic water, and other underground utilities
• Support site feasibility and conceptual planning, review civil designs and calculations for constructability, and turn them into a buildable sequence and field plan
• Manage field quality control and coordinate a multi-discipline contractor team
• Drive local, state, and federal permitting for the site and utility work
• Set requirements with contractors, fabricators, owners, and internal clients, solicit proposals, and manage contracts through closeout
• Resolve design and construction conflicts in the field in real time

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s degree in an engineering discipline, architecture, or construction management
• 10+ years of construction experience

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:

• 15+ years of construction experience
• 5+ years of large-scale land development experience
• Experience with any of the following infrastructure: power generation, high-power electrical, water treatment, airport or airfield, or marine
• Proficiency in stormwater management, hydraulics, hydrological analysis, grading, drainage, and other site-development work
• Understanding of other disciplines such as electrical, piping, geotechnical, and surveying
• Experience using a CAD software package (e.g., AutoCAD, Civil 3D, or Revit) to review and coordinate site and utility design
• Professional Engineer (PE) license
• Ability to analyze problems and make sound decisions in a timely manner based on objectives, risks, implications, and cost
• Ability to rapidly change roles and responsibilities while maintaining a high sense of urgency in a fast-paced, challenging environment

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Stand: Up to 6 hours per day
• Sit: Up to 6 hours per day
• Push/Pull: Up to ≤ 50 lbs. (unassisted) 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. (unassisted) 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
• Ability to work in temperatures over 80 degrees 6 hours or greater per day
• Candidate must be capable of safely working at heights (up to 500ft), in confined spaces, using an air purifying respirator, operating heavy equipment and machinery, and performing the physical requirements of the job listed in the job description. Candidate may be required to complete a pre-employment questionnaire and/or physical to confirm these capabilities, which may include a medical history review

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 Affi [e-mail].