Raptor Engine Structural Analyst – Propulsion

SpaceX; Hawthorne (CA); On-site; USD 100,000 - 160,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Stock options

Medical, vision, dental coverage

401(k) retirement plan

Paid vacation & holidays

Job summary

SpaceX in Hawthorne, CA is seeking a STRUCTURAL ANALYST for Raptor Combustion Devices to ensure structural reliability from liftoff to landing. You will drive analyses, work across design, production, test, and reliability teams, and validate predictions with test data.

The role emphasizes hands-on modeling, high‑performance hardware, and the ability to deliver reliable designs for the world’s most advanced rocket engine powering Starship.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in an engineering discipline, or physics.
• 1+ years of academic or professional experience related to structural analysis.
• Experience with Finite Element Analysis (FEA) software and post-processing.
• Master’s degree in mechanical, aerospace, or materials engineering, or physics.
• 1+ years of experience related to combustion devices or rocket engine development.
• Proficient in statics, mechanics of materials, fatigue, dynamics, and heat transfer.
• Hands-on experience with rocket engines/motors or related systems.
• Able to perform hand calculations to validate and improve models.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
• Experience with Siemens NX (Unigraphics) and GD&T.
• Experience with CNC mill/lathe, welding, castings, additive, DFMA.

Responsibilities

• Conduct static, thermal, thermo-mechanical, dynamic, and durability analyses on Raptor hardware via FEA and first principles.
• Collaborate with design, production, test, and reliability teams to meet engine objectives.
• Validate models against test data and criteria; ensure design criteria are met.
• Support design, manufacturing, and reliability improvements with proper analysis and qualification.

Skills

Analytical thinking

Interpersonal communication

Problem solving

Hands-on experimentation

Education

Bachelor’s degree in engineering or physics

Master’s degree in mechanical/aerospace/materials or physics

Tools

Siemens NX

GD&T

CNC mill/lathe

Welding

Additive manufacturing

DFMA

Job description

SpaceX in Hawthorne, CA is seeking a STRUCTURAL ANALYST for Raptor Combustion Devices to ensure structural reliability from liftoff to landing. You will drive analyses, work across design, production, test, and reliability teams, and validate predictions with test data.

The role emphasizes hands-on modeling, high‑performance hardware, and the ability to deliver reliable designs for the world’s most advanced rocket engine powering Starship.