Launch Engineer, Flight Hardware Engineering (Falcon Reflight)

$110,000 - $130,000/Yr

SpaceX - Cape Canaveral, FL

Full-time - Entry Level

Cape Canaveral, FL

Transportation Equipment Manufacturing

About the position

SpaceX is seeking a Launch Engineer for the Flight Hardware Engineering team, specifically focusing on Falcon Reflight. This position is pivotal in the pursuit of rapid and reliable rocket re-use, recovery, integration, and launch of Falcon 9 Flight vehicles. The Launch Engineer will be responsible for processing Falcon 9 vehicles, leading hands-on assembly, integration, and testing of both new and flight-proven vehicle assemblies. This role requires collaboration with engineering staff from various departments and SpaceX locations to resolve off-nominal test results and hardware conditions, ensuring flight readiness. The engineer will develop and execute procedures for the refurbishment, checkout, and integration of flight-proven rockets and ground support equipment. Daily responsibilities include partnering with and providing direction to highly skilled field technicians, designing and developing tools and hardware to facilitate vehicle assembly, and conducting vehicle system testing. The role also involves identifying high-risk processes during Stage 1 refurbishment and Falcon hardware processing, implementing improvements to ensure operational excellence, and leading root cause and corrective action investigations to address issues related to design, product reliability, and quality. Additionally, the Launch Engineer will manage work orders and drive non-conformances into actionable items and system improvements, rapidly developing and refining manufacturing assembly procedures based on lessons learned. This position is essential for maintaining the high standards of safety and reliability that SpaceX is known for, and it offers a unique opportunity to contribute to the future of space exploration.

Responsibilities

• Process Falcon 9 Flight vehicles for rapid and reliable rocket re-use, recovery, integration, and launch.
• Assist with and lead hands-on assembly, integration, and testing of new and flight-proven vehicle assemblies.
• Lead critical on-site operations and hardware investigations, collaborating with engineering staff to resolve off-nominal test results and hardware conditions.
• Develop and execute procedures for the refurbishment, checkout, and integration of flight-proven rockets and ground support equipment.
• Partner with and provide direction to highly skilled field technicians on a daily basis.
• Design and develop tools and hardware to enable vehicle assembly and conduct vehicle system testing.
• Identify high-risk processes and problems during Stage 1 refurbishment and Falcon hardware processing, implementing improvements for operational excellence.
• Lead and facilitate root cause and corrective action investigations to ensure issues related to design, product reliability, and quality are corrected.
• Rapidly develop and refine manufacturing assembly procedures based on lessons learned.
• Manage work orders and drive non-conformances into actionable items and system improvements.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering, computer engineering, aerospace engineering, mechanical engineering, or other engineering discipline.
• 1+ years of hands-on experience with mechanical, electrical and/or fluid systems in design, manufacturing, or implementation phases.

Nice-to-haves

• 3+ years of professional experience designing, building, integrating, and testing multi-disciplinary systems.
• Experience writing test plans and test procedures.
• Experience working on projects involving the integration of electrical, mechanical, and software systems.
• Proficient in or hands-on experience with launch vehicle or spacecraft integration, composite structure design or testing, test operations with gases/fluids, and data acquisition setup.
• Professional experience testing and operating with or around hazardous systems.
• Professional experience working with large assembly moves, such as crane operations.
• Flight hardware avionics experience.
• Ability to communicate clearly and accurately with a wide range of people.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced, autonomously driven, and demanding start-up atmosphere.
• Ability to learn, lead others, and help others learn while maintaining productivity.
• Advanced degree in relevant engineering fields.

Benefits

• Comprehensive medical, vision, and dental coverage.
• 401(k) retirement plan.
• Short & long-term disability insurance.
• Life insurance.
• Paid parental leave.
• Various discounts and perks.
• 3 weeks of paid vacation.
• 10 or more paid holidays per year.
• 5 days of sick leave per year.
• Eligibility for long-term incentives, including company stock and stock options.