Propulsion Engineer, Thermal & Fluid Analysis (Starship)

$110,000 - $130,000/Yr

SpaceX - Brownsville, TX

Full-time - Entry Level

Brownsville, TX

Transportation Equipment Manufacturing

About the position

As a Propulsion Engineer specializing in Thermal and Fluid Analysis for the Starship program at SpaceX, you will play a critical role in ensuring that fluid consumables are optimally positioned and maintained under the right conditions. Your engineering decisions will directly impact the performance and reliability of the vehicle, contributing to SpaceX's mission of enabling human life on Mars. This position requires a strong analytical mindset and the ability to work collaboratively with various teams to enhance vehicle performance while simplifying operations. You will be responsible for conducting detailed analyses on attitude control systems, propellant conditions, and tank pressurization systems to maximize performance while ensuring robustness. Additionally, you will automate workflows to minimize engineering investment in these analyses, pursue improvements in performance and robustness, and produce high-quality documentation to enhance efficiency and reduce error rates. Your role will also involve reviewing peer work to maintain high standards of quality and performance.

Responsibilities

• Conduct mission analysis on attitude control systems, propellant conditions, and tank pressurization systems to maximize performance while ensuring robustness.
• Automate workflows to reduce engineering investment in mission analysis.
• Pursue performance and robustness improvements in propulsion systems.
• Seek operational simplicity to reduce the burden on other teams at SpaceX.
• Produce quality documentation of work to reduce miss-rate and improve efficiency.
• Review peer work to ensure quality and adherence to standards.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in an engineering discipline.
• At least 1 year of experience using engineering simulation software such as MATLAB (student project team and internship experience qualifies).

Nice-to-haves

• Master's degree in an engineering discipline.
• 2+ years of professional experience with thermal or fluid analysis.
• Strong understanding of spacecraft and/or launch vehicle propulsion systems and fluid components.
• Experience with 0-D and 1-D thermal/fluid networks.
• Working knowledge of scripting languages, specifically Python.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Ability to deliver against an aggressive schedule.

Benefits

• Comprehensive medical, vision, and dental coverage.
• 401(k) retirement plan.
• Short & long-term disability insurance.
• Life insurance.
• Paid parental leave.
• Access to various discounts and perks.
• 3 weeks of paid vacation.
• 10 or more paid holidays per year.
• 5 days of sick leave per year.