Propulsion Engineer (Raptor Flight)

SPACE EXPLORATION TECHNOLOGIES CORP; Hawthorne (CA); On-site; USD 100,000 - 160,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Stock options

Health benefits

401(k)

Parental leave

Vacation & holidays

Job summary

SpaceX seeks a Propulsion Engineer (Raptor Flight) to shepherd hardware from concept to flight and back, ensuring robust engine performance for high cadence launches. You’ll enable automated data analysis, develop test plans, and work across disciplines to refine designs and reduce costs.

This role requires scrappy problem solving, travel up to 10% between Hawthorne, CA and Starbase, TX, and a commitment to safety and mission success in a fast-paced environment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in an engineering discipline.
• 1+ years of experience with pressurized fluid systems and hardware design, manufacture, assembly, test or flight.

Responsibilities

• Perform design, analysis, development engineering, and flight operations tasks for Raptor propulsion systems
• Align resources to accomplish key objectives; assign clear accountability for important objectives, and set the performance bar at the high standard of excellence
• Enable high launch cadence with automated analysis of test and flight data; expand existing capabilities and develop new algorithms to improve reliability
• Collaborate with engineers and technicians from multiple disciplines to achieve reliable engine performance in flight and during ground testing
• Support live test and flight operations as primary console operator
• Exercise risk-conscious decision-making under high pressure across multi-disciplinary systems
• Support vehicle readiness and data reviews for the engine system
• Represent engine system to other disciplines
• Develop test plans, and analyze test results in support of test and flight operations
• Execute walkdowns and support hardware troubleshooting in the field
• Implement and maintain verification processes through automation and controls
• Fully own critical spaceflight hardware with responsibility
• Balance competing priorities and adapt to program shifts
• Push tasks to closure with urgency and ownership
• Operate in high-stress environment with grit and endurance

Skills

Pressurized fluid systems

Hardware design

Flight operations

Python

Starship propulsion familiarity

Control systems basics

Data analysis

Education

Bachelor's degree in engineering

Tools

MATLAB

Python

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.

PROPULSION ENGINEER (RAPTOR FLIGHT)

The Propulsion Engineer role is responsible for taking hardware from concept through to flight (and re-flight) operations, and everything in between. Pursue all processes necessary to effectively and safely prepare and fly world-changing launch vehicles. Work with brilliant, passionate engineers to rapidly develop methods to achieve airline-like operations for the highest performing rocket engines in the world.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Perform design, analysis, development engineering, and flight operations tasks for Raptor engine propulsion systems
• Align resources to accomplish key objectives; assign clear accountability for important objectives, and set the performance bar at the high standard of excellence
• Enable high launch cadence with unparalleled reliability through automated analysis of test and flight data; expand existing capabilities and develop new algorithms to improve reliability and thoroughness of all flight processes
• Collaborate with engineers and technicians from most engineering disciplines, including stage propulsion, structure, launch, testing, production, ground, software, avionics, guidance and control, mission management, flight reliability, etc. to achieve successful and reliable engine performance in flight and during ground testing, and to continuously refine the designs and practices for increased reliability and reduced costs
• Support live test and flight operations in role of primary console operator
• Exercise risk-conscious decision-making skills under high pressure, across multi-disciplinary systems
• Support vehicle-level readiness and data reviews for the engine system
• Represent engine system in role of a responsible engineer to the rest of the vehicle, ground, customer, and administrative disciplines
• Develop test plans, and analyze test results in support of test and flight operations
• Execute walkdowns, and support hardware troubleshooting in the field
• Implement and maintain rigorous hardware and software verification processes through practical application of automation and process controls
• Fully own critical spaceflight hardware with profound responsibility
• Balance competing priorities and several dynamic projects simultaneously, while assessing level of depth/accuracy needed for each task
• Push tasks to complete closure, with a burning sense of urgency and extreme ownership
• Ability to pivot and adapt quickly to changes in direction, schedule, priority, and/or level of depth as needed, to stay aligned with program’s shifting needs
• Operate in high-stress environment with grit and endurance

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s degree in an engineering discipline
• 1+ years of experience with pressurized fluid systems1+ years of experience in hardware design, manufacture, assembly, test and/or flight

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:

• Understanding of engineering fundamentals and the ability to perform basic analysis
• Demonstrable proficiency in the basic principles of compressible/incompressible flow, thermodynamics, and materials
• Experience developing hardware from concept to working prototypes, and refining the designs and operations to achieve robustness and autonomy
• Experience with engineering programming tools (Python, MATLAB, or similar)
• Liquid engine development experience, or experience working with pressurized fluid components such as valves and pneumatic systems
• Experience operating in a rapidly growing, changing and technical environment
• Ability to act and execute in a scrappy and entrepreneurial manner
• Familiarity with Starship engine and propulsion systems
• Familiarity with basic concepts of control systems

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Must be able to travel between Hawthorne, CA and Starbase, TX in support of test and flight operations and hardware development – up to 10%
• Must be able to work extended hours and weekends as needed

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS:

• Pay Range: Level 1: $100,000.00 - $130,000.00
• Pay Range: Level 2: $115,000.00 - $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.

• 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.