Sr. Propulsion Engineer (Raptor Combustion Devices)

SPACE EXPLORATION TECHNOLOGIES CORP; Hawthorne (CA); On-site; USD 135,000 - 215,000; Full time

Job summary

SpaceX in Hawthorne, CA is seeking a Sr. Propulsion Engineer (Raptor Combustion Devices) to own combustor hardware development from concept through flight operations.

You will drive design changes for reliability, performance, and manufacturability, coordinating with peers to meet high‑level engine requirements. The role requires a mechanical/aerospace/astronautical background, 4+ years in rocket hardware, and strong data analysis and CAD capabilities.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in mechanical, aerospace, or astronautical engineering.
• 4+ years of experience working with rocket or jet engine hardware or high‑pressure fluid systems in design, analysis, or experimental capacity.
• Willingness to travel ~10% for hardware testing and launch operations.
• Demonstrated ability to organize and motivate a team to achieve goals.

Responsibilities

• Own combustor hardware design and execution from concept through testing and flight.
• Drive design changes to improve reliability, performance, and manufacturability.
• Coordinate cross‑functional teams to meet engine and vehicle requirements.
• Develop test requirements and oversee test campaigns and data analysis.
• Analyze test/flight data and iterate designs for improvements.
• Make go/no‑go decisions on hardware performance during operation.

Skills

Combustor design

Test campaigns

Data analysis

Programming (Python/MATLAB/C/C++)

CAD (NX/SolidWorks)

GD&T

Thermal/Fluid/Structural analysis

Team leadership

Education

Bachelor’s degree in mechanical, aerospace, or astronautical engineering

Master’s degree (preferred) in mechanical, aerospace, or aeronautical/astronautical engineering

Tools

Siemens NX

SolidWorks

ANSYS

Fluent

Star-CCM+

Job description

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 of enabling human life on Mars.

SR. PROPULSION ENGINEER (RAPTOR COMBUSTION DEVICES)

The Propulsion Engineer role is responsible for owning the development, production, and operation of engine combustor hardware from concept through to successful flight operations. You will drive all necessary work to effectively and safely develop and fly your hardware on the most advanced full flow staged combustion engine on the largest launch vehicle in history.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Responsible engineer for engine combustor hardware, owning the success of design and requirements, delivery of production hardware at target throughput rates, and reliable operating performance at the integrated engine and vehicle level.
• Identify, organize, and drive design changes related to department priorities such as reliability, simplification, and performance.
• Own the development of combustor design and hardware from concept through testing and production while actively managing the existing fleet of hardware in operation.
• Coordinate a team of peers through informal leadership and self-directed program organization to achieve goals. Assign clear responsibilities and hold teammates accountable for execution. Collaborate with engineers from other teams to design and develop hardware that meets system and high-level engine requirements.
• Develop test requirements and participate in test operations early in the part life cycle to develop hardware and processes to accept engines for flight. Own anomaly reviews for defective hardware from comprehensive data review to complete hardware teardown.
• Perform analysis on data from test and flight operations of the hardware. Iterate the results from data into improved designs, as well as make critical go/no‑go calls on hardware performance in operation.

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree in mechanical, aerospace, or astronautical engineering.
• 4+ years of experience working with rocket or jet engine hardware or high‑pressure fluid systems in a design, analysis, or experimental capacity.

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE

• Master’s degree or higher in mechanical, aerospace, or aeronautical/astronautical engineering.
• 6+ years of professional or intense academic experience working with jet or rocket engines or other high‑pressure fluid systems with tight timelines and high consequences of failure.
• Demonstrable proficiency in the basic principles of compressible and incompressible flow, combustion processes, combustion instability, acoustics, heat transfer, thermodynamics, thermochemistry, mechanics, and materials. Ability to apply first principles approach to quick models and estimates.
• Experience designing and testing combustor injector elements and associated fluid manifolds.
• Experience owning test campaigns, analyzing data and hardware to make technical decisions based on findings.
• Experience with engine system operation including startup/shutdown transients and mainstage trim.
• Experience designing parts and assemblies in professional CAD packages such as Siemens NX or Solidworks.
• Experience designing for manufacturing and implementing designs into manufacturing process, including iterating designs based on downstream feedback.
• Experience with manufacturing techniques, processes, and equipment such as machining, additive manufacturing, welding, forming, tube bending, structural assembly, etc.
• Experience owning cradle to grave projects from design conception into manufacturing and testing.
• Analytical/scientific programming experience (Python, MATLAB, C/C++).
• Experience generating, reading, and interpreting GD&T drawings.
• Professional experience completing thermal, fluid, or structural analysis (e.g. ANSYS, Fluent, Star‑CCM+).
• Self‑motivated to solve complex problems with demonstrated ability to organize and motivate a team of peers to achieve common goals.
• Demonstrated ability to act with good engineering judgment and execute high quality work in a technical environment on tight timelines.
• Experience working in project teams in a professional role, or in student teams such as Rocket/Propulsion Teams, Formula/Baja SAE, or Hyperloop.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

• 10% travel in support of hardware testing and launch operations
• Willingness to work extended hours and weekends as needed

SR. PROPULSION ENGINEER (RAPTOR COMBUSTION DEVICES)

The Propulsion Engineer role is responsible for owning the development, production, and operation of engine combustor hardware from concept through to successful flight operations. You will drive all necessary work to effectively and safely develop and fly your hardware on the most advanced full flow staged combustion engine on the largest launch vehicle in history.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Responsible engineer for engine combustor hardware, owning the success of design and requirements, delivery of production hardware at target throughput rates, and reliable operating performance at the integrated engine and vehicle level.
• Identify, organize, and drive design changes related to department priorities such as reliability, simplification, and performance.
• Own the development of combustor design and hardware from concept through testing and production while actively managing the existing fleet of hardware in operation.
• Coordinate a team of peers through informal leadership and self‑directed program organization to achieve goals. Assign clear responsibilities and hold teammates accountable for execution. Collaborate with engineers from other teams to design and develop hardware that meets system and high‑level engine requirements.
• Develop test requirements and participate in test operations early in the part life cycle to develop hardware and processes to accept engines for flight. Own anomaly reviews for defective hardware from comprehensive data review to complete hardware teardown.
• Perform analysis on data from test and flight operations of the hardware. Iterate the results from data into improved designs, as well as make critical go/no‑go calls on hardware performance in operation.

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree in mechanical, aerospace, or astronautical engineering.
• 4+ years of experience working with rocket or jet engine hardware or high‑pressure fluid systems in a design, analysis, or experimental capacity.

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE

• Master’s degree or higher in mechanical, aerospace, or aeronautical/astronautical engineering.
• 6+ years of professional or intense academic experience working with jet or rocket engines or other high‑pressure fluid systems with tight timelines and high consequences of failure.
• Demonstrable proficiency in the basic principles of compressible and incompressible flow, combustion processes, combustion instability, acoustics, heat transfer, thermodynamics, thermochemistry, mechanics, and materials. Ability to apply first principles approach to quick models and estimates.
• Experience designing and testing combustor injector elements and associated fluid manifolds.
• Experience owning test campaigns, analyzing data and hardware to make technical decisions based on findings.
• Experience with engine system operation including startup/shutdown transients and mainstage trim.
• Experience designing parts and assemblies in professional CAD packages such as Siemens NX or Solidworks.
• Experience designing for manufacturing and implementing designs into manufacturing process, including iterating designs based on downstream feedback.
• Experience with manufacturing techniques, processes, and equipment such as machining, additive manufacturing, welding, forming, tube bending, structural assembly, etc.
• Experience owning cradle to grave projects from design conception into manufacturing and testing.
• Analytical/scientific programming experience (Python, MATLAB, C/C++).
• Experience generating, reading, and interpreting GD&T drawings.
• Professional experience completing thermal, fluid, or structural analysis (e.g. ANSYS, Fluent, Star‑CCM+).
• Self‑motivated to solve complex problems with demonstrated ability to organize and motivate a team of peers to achieve common goals.
• Demonstrated ability to act with good engineering judgment and execute high quality work in a technical environment on tight timelines.
• Experience working in project teams in a professional role, or in student teams such as Rocket/Propulsion Teams, Formula/Baja SAE, or Hyperloop.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

• 10% travel in support of hardware testing and launch operations
• Willingness to work extended hours and weekends as needed

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS:

Pay Range:
Level 3: $135,000.00 - $215,000.00

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 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.

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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 Affɪrmative Action Plan for veterans and individuals with disabilities, or applicants requiring reasonable accommodation to the application/interview process should reach out [e-mail].