Senior Mechanical Design Engineer — Starfall Capsule Structures

SpaceX; Hawthorne (CA); Hybrid; USD 135,000 - 190,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Stock options

Health, dental, vision insurance

401(k)

Job summary

SpaceX in Hawthorne, CA is seeking a Sr. Mechanical Design Engineer for the Starfall program. You will own primary/secondary structures, fluid systems, and components through the full product life cycle, solving complex problems with a ground-up physics approach.

You will perform hand calculations, FEA, and CAD, lead design reviews, and coordinate with suppliers, customers, and internal teams. This role demands strong analytical and interpersonal skills, with ability to travel and work extended

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in an engineering discipline.
• 5+ years of experience with CAD or FEA software packages.
• 5+ years of hands-on hardware experience performing fabrication, assembly, and/or testing.

Responsibilities

• Own primary and secondary structures, mechanisms, and/or fluid systems for Starfall Cargo Vehicle.
• Use hand calculations, finite element analyses (FEA), and computer-aided designs (CAD) to ensure hardware meets requirements.
• Lead design reviews and hardware qualifications.
• Serve as technical interface with suppliers, customers, and internal production/launch teams.
• Own the hardware delivery timeline and success through inception, design, assembly, launch and re-use.

Skills

Strong analytical thinking

Interpersonal skills

Creative problem solving

Python

Matlab

Excel

Education

Bachelor's degree in engineering

Master's degree in engineering

Tools

NX/Teamcenter

FEA/Multiphysics software (NASTRAN/ABAQUS/ANSYS)

CAD

Job description

Sr. Mechanical Design Engineer (Starfall)

Hawthorne, CA

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 ofenabling human life on Mars.

SR. MECHANICAL DESIGN ENGINEER (STARFALL)

The Starfall team is developing the world’s first high-capacity, high-cadence, and low-cost re-entry capsule. The Starfall vehicle will unlock a new frontier in rapid global mobility by enabling point-to-point cargo delivery anywhere on Earth in under an hour. This vehicle could also serve as a powerful new platform when integrated with SpaceX’s other core technologies to unlock numerous applications, such as in-space manufacturing and on-orbit research.

As a Starfall Mechanical Design Engineer, you will spearhead the design of numerous structures, fluid systems, and components that must withstand extreme loads and the harsh environment of space. You will own hardware through the product life cycle and will interact regularly with senior leadership during critical design phases. You are especially strong in analysis and employ a ground-up, fundamental physics approach to problem solving. You have strong technical and interpersonal skills, and you thrive in a creative, scrappy, and collaborative environment in which the best ideas change company-level direction on a regular basis.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Full ownership of primary and secondary structures, mechanisms, and/or fluid systems for our Starfall Cargo Vehicle
• Use hand calculations, finite element analyses (FEA), and computer-aided designs (CAD) to ensure all hardware meets or exceeds internal and customer requirements
• Lead design reviews and hardware qualifications
• Serve as technical interface with suppliers, customers, and internal production/launch teams
• Own the hardware delivery timeline and success through inception, design, assembly, launch and re-use

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor's degree in an engineering discipline
• 5+ years of experience with CAD or FEA software packages
• 5+ years of hands-on hardware experience performing fabrication, assembly, and/or testing

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Master's degree in an engineering discipline
• Experience with NX/Teamcenter designing parts and assemblies
• Experience with at least one commercial FEA or Multiphysics simulation package (NASTRAN, ABAQUS, ANSYS, CFD codes, etc.)
• Demonstrated ability to own hardware or systems within an integrated engineering team outside a classroom setting (FSAE, Engineers without Borders, Design-Build-Fly, NASA student launch, personal entrepreneurial ventures, etc.)
• Analytical/scientific programming experience (Python, Matlab, Excel, etc.)
• Active Secret, Top Secret, Top Secret SCI, OR ability and willingness to obtain a Top Secret clearance

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Able to work longer hours and weekends to support critical needs
• Willingness to travel in support of hardware test and launch
• An active clearance may provide the opportunity for you to work on sensitive SpaceX missions; if so, you will be subject to pre-employment drug and random drug and alcohol testing
• Ability to pass Air Force background checks for Cape Canaveral and Vandenberg

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS:

Pay range:
Senior: $135,000.00 - $190,000.00/per year

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, stock options, 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.

Applicants wishing to view a copy of SpaceX’s Affirmative Action Plan for veterans and individuals with disabilities, or applicants requiring reasonable accommodation to the application/interview process should reach out to [e-mail] .

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To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) you must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the U.S., protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State. Learn more about ITARhere.

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