Sr. Mechanical Engineer (Starship Avionics)

SpaceX; Brownsville (TX); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

SpaceX is seeking a Sr. Mechanical Engineer (Starship Avionics) to design packaging solutions for electro‑mechanical assemblies, and to perform thermal and structural analyses using hand calculations and FEA.

You will participate in initial mechanical design, 3‑D modeling, and creation of production drawings while maintaining design data. The role requires collaborating with shops and production teams, owning the hardware delivery timeline, and leading internal and supplier reviews to ensure

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in mechanical, aerospace, or another engineering discipline.
• 5+ years of professional experience with mechanical or electro‑mechanical design and analysis.

Responsibilities

• Design packaging solutions for electro‑mechanical assemblies
• Perform thermal, structural, and tolerance analysis using hand calculations and finite element analysis
• Participate in initial mechanical design, 3‑D modeling, production drawings and design data maintenance
• Conduct failure analysis related to thermal loads, vibration, and shock
• Interface with machine shops and production teams to ensure producibility
• Own hardware delivery timeline through inception to integration
• Lead design reviews internally and with suppliers/customers
• Ensure designs meet weight and rate targets through innovative design and manufacturing

Skills

Self-motivated

Organizational skills

Written communication

Oral communication

CAD experience

FEA experience

Hand calculations

Design for manufacturability

Vibration and shock analysis

GD&T

Education

Bachelor’s degree in mechanical, aerospace, or another engineering discipline

5+ years of professional experience in mechanical or electro‑mechanical design and analysis

Tools

ANSYS

ABAQUS

NASTRAN

Job description

SR. MECHANICAL ENGINEER (STARSHIP AVIONICS)

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 of enabling human life on Mars.

The Starship Avionics team is responsible for designing a Starship avionics system that is optimized for high reliability at a low mass and cost. Our charter is to develop highly producible mechanical designs and packaging solutions that protect our electronics from the harsh mechanical and thermal environments of launch vehicle operations.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Design packaging solutions for electro‑mechanical assemblies
• Perform thermal, structural, and tolerance analysis for electro‑mechanical assemblies using both hand calculations and finite element analysis
• Participate in initial mechanical design, 3‑D modeling, creation of production drawings and maintenance of design data
• Conduct failure analysis of components as it relates to thermal loads, vibration, and shock
• Interface with machine shops and production teams to ensure final designs can be produced in accordance with overall project goals
• Own the hardware delivery timeline and success through inception, design, assembly, test, and integration
• Lead design reviews internally and participate in reviews with suppliers and customers
• Ensure structural designs are capable of both weight and rate targets using innovative design and manufacturing approaches

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree in mechanical, aerospace, or another engineering discipline
• 5+ years of professional experience with mechanical or electro‑mechanical design and analysis

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE

• Self‑motivated with strong organizational, written, and oral communication skills
• Experience with CAD and FEA software packages
• Proficient and frequent use of hand calculations, finite element analyses, and computer‑aided designs
• Exposure to high‑volume production designs with a focus on design for manufacturability
• Experience designing for high vibration environments
• Demonstrated understanding of structural analysis and failure modes
• Working knowledge of thermal and structural FEA studies
• Experience with fatigue and thermal testing of electro‑mechanical assemblies
• Strong understanding and application of GD&T (e.g. ANSYS, ABAQUS, NASTRAN)
• Experience working with PCB designers and exposure to PCB layout
• Experience with structural and thermal analysis of rocket components

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS

• Extended hours and weekend work may be required to support critical project and mission milestones

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 (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].