Propulsion Development Engineer (Raptor Flight)

$110,000 - $130,000/Yr

SpaceX - Hawthorne, CA

Full-time - Entry Level

Hawthorne, CA

Transportation Equipment Manufacturing

About the position

The Propulsion Development Engineer (Raptor Flight) at SpaceX is responsible for overseeing the entire lifecycle of propulsion hardware, from concept to flight operations. This role involves collaborating with a diverse team of engineers to ensure the successful development and operation of Raptor engine systems, aiming for high reliability and efficiency in launch operations.

Responsibilities

• Perform design, analysis, development engineering, and flight operations tasks for Raptor engine propulsion systems
• Align resources to accomplish key objectives; assign clear accountability for important objectives, and set the performance bar at a high standard of excellence
• Enable high launch cadence with unparalleled reliability through automated analysis of test and flight data; expand existing capabilities and develop new algorithms to improve reliability and thoroughness of all flight processes
• Collaborate with engineers and technicians from various engineering disciplines to achieve successful and reliable engine performance in flight and during ground testing
• Support live test and flight operations in the role of primary console operator
• Exercise risk-conscious decision-making skills under high pressure across multi-disciplinary systems
• Support vehicle-level readiness and data reviews for the engine system
• Represent engine system in role of a responsible engineer to the rest of the vehicle, ground, customer, and administrative disciplines
• Develop test plans, and analyze test results in support of test and flight operations
• Execute walkdowns, and support hardware troubleshooting in the field
• Implement and maintain rigorous hardware and software verification processes through practical application of automation and process controls
• Fully own critical spaceflight hardware with profound responsibility
• Balance competing priorities and several dynamic projects simultaneously, while assessing level of depth/accuracy needed for each task
• Push tasks to complete closure, with a burning sense of urgency and extreme ownership
• Pivot and adapt quickly to changes in direction, schedule, priority, and/or level of depth as needed, to stay aligned with program's shifting needs
• Operate in high-stress environment with grit and endurance

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in an engineering discipline
• 1+ years of experience with pressurized fluid systems
• 1+ years of experience in hardware design, manufacture, assembly, test and/or flight

Nice-to-haves

• Understanding of engineering fundamentals and the ability to perform basic analysis
• Demonstrable proficiency in the basic principles of compressible/incompressible flow, thermodynamics, and materials
• Experience developing hardware from concept to working prototypes, and refining the designs and operations to achieve robustness and autonomy
• Experience with engineering programming tools (Python, MATLAB, or similar)
• Liquid engine development experience, or experience working with pressurized fluid components such as valves and pneumatic systems
• Experience operating in a rapidly growing, changing and technical environment
• Ability to act and execute in a scrappy and entrepreneurial manner
• Familiarity with Starship engine and propulsion systems
• Familiarity with basic concepts of control systems

Benefits

• Comprehensive medical, vision, and dental coverage
• 401(k) retirement plan
• Short and 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
• Long-term incentives in the form of company stock, stock options, or long-term cash awards
• Potential discretionary bonuses
• Employee Stock Purchase Plan