Space Operations Engineer (Ground Operator Training)

Starlink; Hawthorne (CA); On-site; USD 95,000 - 160,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Stock options

Performance bonuses

Medical coverage

401(k) plan

Paid time off

Job summary

SpaceX is seeking a Space Operations Engineer (Ground Operator Training) to lead and train spacecraft operator teams for Dragon and Starship missions. The role balances full-stack development with hands-on operator training and real-time support in mission control.

You will create training content, run simulations with SpaceX, NASA, and customer teams, and evolve training workflows. Strong programming and training experience are essential, with travel to multiple SpaceX sites as needed.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in an engineering or science discipline.
• 1+ years of programming experience in Python or JavaScript.
• 1+ years of technical training experience in a critical environment or real-time operations.

Responsibilities

• Develop, train, and evaluate operations teams to safely conduct Dragon and Starship missions.
• Devote 50% of time to full stack development and 50% to operator training and supporting operations.
• Challenge requirements, develop tooling, and reshape training workflows to create efficient operator training processes.
• Create training content, develop training plans, and provide instruction to mission control operators.
• Plan, schedule, and execute training events and simulations with SpaceX, NASA, and customer teams.
• Script, test, and deploy simulation software components to ensure a high-quality training experience.
• Develop and maintain the simulation environment (servers, applications, and automation).
• Become an on-console mission control operator to support human and cargo spaceflight missions.
• Develop subject matter expertise and clearly communicate technical concepts to a wide audience.
• Work closely with operations teams to innovate how humans interact with a diverse fleet of interplanetary spacecraft.

Skills

Python

JavaScript

Technical training

Education

Bachelor's degree in engineering or science

Master's degree preferred

Job description

SPACE OPERATIONS ENGINEER (GROUND OPERATOR TRAINING)

SpaceX Operations Engineers are dedicated to innovation in all aspects of spaceflight execution and training. As an Operations Training Engineer, you will prepare team of spacecraft operators to safely execute human and cargo spaceflight missions, become a SpaceX spacecraft operator yourself, and personally drive the development of a new paradigm for 21st century spaceflight training. Our team’s charter is to efficiently prepare hundreds of humans to safely operate space vehicles on interplanetary missions, and we need outstanding engineers to make this future a reality. If you are driven to fly spacecraft, train others to fly spacecraft, and have a passion for streamlining operations, then come join us in our work to ensure safe and sustainable spacecraft operations.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Develop, train, and evaluate operations teams to safely conduct Dragon and Starship missions
• Devote 50% of time to full stack development and 50% to operator training and supporting operations
• Challenge requirements, develop tooling, and reshape training workflows to create efficient operator training processes
• Create training content, develop training plans, and provide instruction to mission control operators
• Plan, schedule, and execute training events and simulations with SpaceX, NASA, and customer teams
• Script, test, and deploy simulation software components to ensure a high-quality training experience
• Develop and maintain the simulation environment (servers, applications, and automation)
• Become an on-console mission control operator to support human and cargo spaceflight missions
• Develop subject matter expertise and clearly communicate technical concepts to a wide audience
• Work closely with operations teams to innovate how humans interact with a diverse fleet of interplanetary spacecraft

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s degree in an engineering or science discipline
• 1+ years of experience providing technical training to an audience that must apply it in a critical environment or real-time operations experience on a system that has high consequence of failure (e.g. a pilot, flight or test engineer, spacecraft operator, high performance automotive, etc.)
• 1+ years of programming experience in Python or JavaScript

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:

• Master's degree in a technical discipline
• Previous experience with spacecraft/aircraft engineering or operations
• Previous experience writing software in a professional environment
• Excellent organizational and interpersonal skills
• Clear verbal and written technical communication skills
• Capacity to balance conflicting opinions and manage expectations between multiple teams and customers
• Able to quickly adapt and change course in a fast-paced environment
• Insatiable hunger for continuous improvement and self‑motivated to challenge the status quo

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Must be open to occasional travel to other SpaceX sites (California, Texas, and Florida)
• Must be willing to work long hours and weekends to support mission operations and critical project timelines

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS:

Pay range:

Space Operations Engineer/Level I: $95,000.00 - $130,000.00/per year

Space Operations Engineer/Level II: $110,000.00 - $160,000.00/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 & long‑term disability insurance, life insurance, paid parental leave, and various other discounts and perks. You may also accrue 3 weeks of paid vacation & will be eligible for 10 or more paid holidays per year. Exempt employees are eligible for 5 days of sick leave per year.

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].