Raptor Propulsion Engineer — Flight Systems & Testing

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 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.