Raptor Test Propulsion Engineer — Hands-On Spaceflight

Spacex; McGregor, Northern (TX, KY); Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

SpaceX is seeking a Propulsion Engineer (Raptor Test) to lead development tests for Raptor engines in a fast-paced lab environment. You will design, execute, and review engine-level tests, guiding technicians and collaborating with design teams to ensure flight-ready hardware.

The role requires hands-on testing, data interpretation, and a strong mechanical/aerospace background, with exposure to cryogenic and high-pressure systems.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in an engineering discipline.
• 1+ years of hands-on testing experience (experience from internships, clubs or other hands-on extra-curricular activities qualifies)
• Master’s degree in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering or equivalent experience
• Experience in production and test systems
• Hands on test and production facility, factory, or laboratory experience
• Mechanical aptitude and experience
• Demonstrated experience where quick-thinking and problem solving plays a critical role
• Knowledge and/or experience in aerospace structural or mechanical or propulsion systems assembly and testing
• Ability to utilize test instrumentation and control components: pressure transducers, thermocouples, RTDs, strain gauges, accelerometers, flow meters, load cells, relays, solenoid valves

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute tests at the engine and component level to evaluate hardware performance and survivability during the mission.
• Repeated ownership of test campaigns; including test plan creation, new system activation, test operations, data review, and test stand equipment design/fabrication.
• Provide daily direction and instruction to technicians to fabricate and integrate test articles and stand equipment.
• Develop and maintain test procedures, sequences, scripts, configuration files, and software.
• Operate and troubleshoot data acquisition and control systems, wiring, and instrumentation. DAQ systems are primarily National Instruments based.
• Operate and troubleshoot fluid and mechanical systems that include low to high-pressure gaseous working fluids and rocket propellants (including high pressure nitrogen and methane systems & cryogenics) as well as structural components and supporting infrastructure.
• Operate mechanical systems; these include test stand support structures, heat exchangers, vacuum pumps, tooling, and fluid components such as valves, reliefs, burst disks, tubing, etc.
• Automate repetitive test operations to increase efficiency and safety.
• Develop innovative processes to increase testing capability and rates, while maintaining high rigor of safety.
• Identify and characterize system pitfalls and potential hazards then work to resolve such anomalies by collaborating with design engineers on improvements for test stands and flight hardware.
• Operate test console and direct a team of technicians to execute test processes.
• Analyze and review data to ensure that hardware is operating as expected utilizing numerical data analysis tools to interpret test results.
• Develop, maintain, and execute integration and testing process, and collaborate with design engineers to improve hardware.
• Act as a conduit for completing the resource management process, including: planning, parts, coordination, skilled labor coordination, process verification, etc.

Skills

Hands-on testing

Test data analysis

Mechanical reasoning

Problem solving

Technical communication

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering

Master’s degree in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering (preferred)

Tools

Unigraphics NX

Teamcenter

National Instruments

Job description

SpaceX is seeking a Propulsion Engineer (Raptor Test) to lead development tests for Raptor engines in a fast-paced lab environment. You will design, execute, and review engine-level tests, guiding technicians and collaborating with design teams to ensure flight-ready hardware.

The role requires hands-on testing, data interpretation, and a strong mechanical/aerospace background, with exposure to cryogenic and high-pressure systems.