Propulsion Engineer (Starship)

SpaceX; Texas; On-site; USD 120,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

SpaceX is seeking a Propulsion Systems Engineer to develop fluid systems for Starship and Super Heavy vehicles. The role covers sizing, mechanical design, structural analysis, and production flow for high-pressure gas storage, cryogenic management, attitude control, and thermal control systems.

Responsibilities include hardware concept development, design for manufacturability, first-build leadership, and collaboration with engineering and production teams to drive innovations for current and

Qualifications

• Bachelors or higher in aerospace, manufacturing, materials, mechanical engineering, or engineering physics.
• 1+ years of mechanical or fluids design, analysis, or build experience (student projects/internships count).
• Experience with GD&T concepts and CAD/FEA tools is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Perform fluids system sizing analysis to determine basic requirements.
• Transform requirements into hardware concepts and trade options.
• Design pressurized and unpressurized structures and parts; create CAD models and prints.
• Perform structural analysis of parts for survivability.
• Drive manufacturability changes to improve production efficiency.
• Support flight hardware builds and establish production line processes.
• Coordinate qualification and acceptance testing of flight hardware.
• Participate in design reviews with internal teams, suppliers, and customers.
• Collaborate with engineering and production to ideate and improve vehicles.

Skills

Fluid dynamics

Finite element analysis

GD&T concepts

Interpersonal skills

Education

Bachelor's or higher in aerospace / mechanical / manufacturing engineering / engineering physics

Tools

Siemens NX

CAD modeling

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 (STARSHIP)

The Propulsion Systems Engineer role is responsible for developing the fluid systems to enable high-performance and highly manufacturable interplanetary vehicles. This role will be responsible for designing, analyzing, and building a wide range of fluid systems across the Starship and Super Heavy vehicles.

The role includes sizing vehicle fluid systems, engaging in detailed mechanical design, performing structural analysis, and driving the manufacturing and build flow of parts and systems. Systems will include high-pressure gas storage and control, cryogenic fluid management, attitude control systems, and thermal control systems. The Propulsion Systems Engineer will also develop the concept of operations for their systems, from acceptance testing to in-flight operations.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Perform fluids system sizing analysis to determine basic system requirements
• Transform system requirements into hardware concepts and trade implementation and architecture options
• Design a range of pressurized and unpressurized structures and parts to enable system capability, creating original CAD models and prints
• Perform structural analysis of parts and components to ensure survivability
• Execute design for manufacturability changes to enhance production efficiency
• Drive the first builds of flight hardware and work with a manufacturing team to establish a production line
• Coordinate and execute development, qualification, and acceptance testing of flight hardware
• Participate in design reviews internally and with suppliers and customers
• Partner with engineering and production teams to generate ideas, designs, and improvements for current and next-generation vehicles

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor's or advanced degree in aerospace engineering, manufacturing engineering, materials engineering, mechanical engineering or engineering physics
• 1+ years of mechanical or fluids design, analysis, or build experience (student project team and internship experience qualifies)

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:

• 2+ years of professional experience in the field of aerospace/mechanical engineering
• 2+ years of experience with GD&T concepts
• Experience with fluid dynamics, finite element, or related computer-based modeling
• Experience with pressurized components (valves, regulators, tubes, pipes, etc.)
• Experience leading operation-critical part mechanical design, including structures and fluids calculations and design considerations
• Experience with finite element analysis (FEA) software packages
• Experience with Siemens NX or other similar CAD package
• Strong interpersonal and organizational skills

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Flight hardware typically is built in tight quarters and physical dexterity is required
• Ability to perform job duties that require standing, kneeling, crouching, twisting upper body, working in cramped positions in small openings and climbing hand over hand
• Typically exposed to work in extreme outdoor environments – heat, cold, rain
• Work performed in an environment requiring exposure to fumes, odors, and noise
• Schedule varies depending on site operational needs; flexibility required
• Flexibility to travel to remote build sites

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 Aff… or applicants requiring reasonable accommodation to the application/interview process should reach out to [e-mail].