Propulsion Engineer (Merlin Hardware Development)

SPACE EXPLORATION TECHNOLOGIES CORP; Hawthorne (CA); On-site; USD 100,000 - 140,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Stock options

Medical, vision and dental coverage

401(k) retirement plan

Paid vacation and holidays

Employee Stock Purchase Plan

Job summary

SpaceX in Hawthorne, CA is seeking a Merlin Propulsion Engineer to own engine hardware and software from build through tests, flight, and reflight. You will drive design, process, and operational changes to improve Merlin reliability and producibility while supporting scaling of production and flight rate.

You will work hands‑on with hardware, participate in design reviews, brief customers, and lead anomaly investigations, delivering flight‑ready engines and robust verification through

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in an engineering discipline or physics.
• 1+ years of hands-on fabrication, assembly, and/or testing experience.
• 1+ years of CAD design experience for parts/assemblies.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the Responsible Engineer for a Merlin engine component or system.
• Lead Merlin development and qualification test campaigns for hardware improvements or root‑cause investigations.
• Design, analyze, produce, and operate Merlin propulsion hardware and systems across development and flight operations.
• Partner with engineers and technicians across production, test, launch, avionics, GNC, software, mission management, and flight reliability to deliver flight‑ready engines.
• Resolve day‑to‑day production, test, and launch issues by hands‑on work with hardware.
• Brief customers on hardware changes and issues as a technical authority for mission success.

Skills

Python/Matlab

Technical communication

Collaboration

Problem solving

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering or Physics

Master's in Mechanical/Aeronautical (preferred)

Tools

Siemens NX

ANSYS Fluent

CAD tooling

DFMA

Job description

Propulsion Engineer (Merlin Hardware Development)

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.

Propulsion Engineer (Merlin Hardware Development)

As a Merlin Propulsion Engineer, you will own engine hardware and software from first build through acceptance test, flight, and re‑flight. You will drive design, process, and operational changes that improve Merlin reliability, producibility, and performance—and help Falcon scale production and flight rate without sacrificing the flight heritage that made it the world’s most reliable launch vehicle. On any given week you might be hands‑on with the engine, in a design or test review, briefing a customer, or closing an anomaly investigation before the next launch.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the Responsible Engineer for a Merlin engine component or system, where you will be the primary technical point of contact for your hardware through the complete life cycle
• Lead Merlin development and qualification test campaigns for hardware improvements or root‑cause investigations
• Design, analyze, produce, and operate Merlin propulsion hardware and systems across development and flight operations
• Partner with engineers and technicians across production, test, launch, avionics, GNC (guidance, navigation & control), software, mission management, and flight reliability to deliver flight‑ready engines
• Resolve day‑to‑day production, test, and launch issues by getting hands‑on with the hardware
• Brief commercial and government customers on hardware changes and issues as a technical authority for mission success
• Make sound, risk‑informed decisions under time pressure, including during test and launch campaigns
• Implement and maintain hardware and software verification and validation using automation and process controls that scale with flight rate
• Develop and improve engine maintenance procedures with the launch site and test teams to improve hardware readiness and reduce turnaround time
• Lead anomaly investigations related to your hardware, drive rapid resolution, and implement corrective actions to prevent recurrence
• Build tools, especially while leveraging AI, to automate analysis, reduce repetitive work, and speed up engineering decisions
• Run multiple concurrent projects, prioritizing against program milestones and business needs while maintaining excellent attention to detail

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in an engineering discipline or physics
• 1+ years of academic or professional hands‑on experience performing fabrication, assembly, and/or testing
• 1+ years of academic or professional experience using CAD to design parts/assemblies

Preferred Skills and Experience

• Master’s degree in mechanical engineering or aeronautical/astronautical engineering
• 1+ years of academic or professional experience related to combustion devices or rocket engine development
• Strong foundation in fluid mechanics (compressible and incompressible), thermodynamics, combustion, structures/fracture mechanics, and materials—and the judgment to apply them to real hardware decisions.
• Experience with manufacturing processes such as CNC mill/lathe, welding, castings, additive, etc. and proficient with the fundamentals of Design for Manufacturing/Assembly (DFMA)
• Experience across the full engineering lifecycle—from design trade and CAD through manufacturing, test, qualification, production, and flight/operations.
• Experience performing risk assessments or supporting timely closure of root‑cause investigations
• Analytical/scientific programming experience (Python, Matlab, etc.)
• Experience using Siemens NX (Unigraphics) and ANSYS preferred, Fluent or other comparable CFD package also desirable
• Comfortable briefing senior leadership and external customers on technical risk and hardware status
• Ability to work well in a collaborative team environment including daily interactions with technicians, engineers, and managers
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with both internal and external customers

Additional Requirements

• Ability to travel in support of testing, launching, and maintenance of engine hardware (up to 10%)
• Ability to pass Air Force background checks for Cape Canaveral and Vandenberg
• Willingness to work extended hours and weekends when production, test, or launch timelines require it

Compensation and Benefits

Pay Range:
Level 1: $100,000.00 - $117,500.00
Level 2: $115,000.00 - $140,000.00

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.

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.

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 Affir­mative Action Plan for veterans and individuals with disabilities, or applicants requiring reasonable accommodation to the application/interview process should reach out to [e-mail].