Launch Engineer, Propulsion (Dragon)

$110,000 - $130,000/Yr

SpaceX - Cape Canaveral, FL

Full-time - Entry Level

Cape Canaveral, FL

Transportation Equipment Manufacturing

About the position

The Launch Engineer, Propulsion (Dragon) at SpaceX is responsible for the integration and testing of the Dragon propulsion system, focusing on pressurized checkouts, fluid operations, and efficiency projects. This role involves developing procedures for crew and cargo Dragon flight hardware, managing vehicle maintenance, and collaborating with engineering teams to ensure successful vehicle processing and testing.

Responsibilities

• Focus on Dragon Propulsion system integration, pressurized checkouts, hypergolic propellants, fluid operations, and efficiency projects.
• Develop and execute procedures for the integration and test of crew/cargo Dragon flight hardware and ground support equipment.
• Become a Dragon vehicle controller and test conductor to run Dragon integrated system pressurized testing, proofing, and fluids operations.
• Evaluate flight vehicle requirements and work scope definition for capsule refurbishment campaigns.
• Manage projects to drive impactful change in how we refurbish Dragon.
• Enable day-to-day execution of vehicle maintenance, integration, propellant system checkouts, and test flow.
• Develop and refine inspection, repair/retrofit, assembly, and system test procedures based on lessons learned.
• Design high-level vehicle maintenance architecture including build flow and test operations for maximum efficiency.
• Manage work orders and drive non-conformances into actionable items and system improvements.
• Maintain large integrated planning documents that are inclusive of varying capsule configurations and work scope.
• Design and develop tools and hardware to enable vehicle processing and ensure vehicle testing abilities.
• Help develop, build, and maintain Dragon processing facilities.
• Collaborate closely with engineering staff from other departments and highly skilled technicians.
• Work with government or commercial customers on pre- and post-flight preparations for human spaceflight.
• Manage and track multiple priorities while maintaining a focus on common project goals.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering, aerospace engineering, chemical engineering, or other engineering discipline.
• 1+ years of experience with hardware development, vehicle integration or refurbishment, manufacturing, pressurized systems, or operations.

Nice-to-haves

• Experience in writing complex integration work instructions on integrated assemblies.
• Experience working with high pressure and/or electrical and/or high hazard systems.
• Experience with automation particularly of fluids systems.
• Experience interacting with CAD software and large CAD models.
• Master's degree in an engineering discipline.
• Capable of solving complex problems with little to no supervision on schedule as an individual or as a member of an integrated team.
• Excellent communication skills both written and verbal.
• Demonstrated success providing mentorship to junior engineers.

Benefits

• Life insurance
• Parental leave
• Paid holidays
• Sick time
• 401(k)
• Retirement plan
• Stock options