Sr. Electric Propulsion Engineer (Starshield)

$130,000 - $180,000/Yr

SpaceX - Hawthorne, CA

Full-time - Mid Level

Hawthorne, CA

Transportation Equipment Manufacturing

About the position

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. The Sr. Electric Propulsion Engineer will work within the Starshield program, which leverages SpaceX's Starlink technology and launch capability to support national security efforts. While Starlink is designed for consumer and commercial use, Starshield is tailored for government applications, focusing initially on earth observation, communications, and hosted payloads. This role offers the opportunity to collaborate with a brilliant and passionate team of engineers on the development of the most reliable and manufacturable satellite thrusters in the world. As a Sr. Electric Propulsion Engineer, you will be responsible for the design, analysis, testing, and operational support of the most highly produced spacecraft electric thruster in history. You will work closely with the manufacturing team to ensure that your designs enable efficient, reliable, high-rate production. Your responsibilities will also include designing, building, modifying, operating, and troubleshooting the electric propulsion test facility, which encompasses vacuum chambers, cryogenic pumps, performance measurement systems, magnetic field measurement systems, plasma diagnostic systems, data acquisition and control systems, and associated wiring and instrumentation. You will analyze and review data to ensure that hardware operates as expected, utilizing numerical data analysis tools to interpret test results. In this role, you will spearhead root cause investigations and component redesigns to improve reliability and production rates. You will develop and execute qualification test plans to ensure readiness for flight, balancing rigor with risk tolerance to find the optimal balance in cost, lead time, reliability, and performance for a system that cannot accept a non-zero failure rate. Every engineer at SpaceX assumes profound responsibility for their hardware, and you will fully own critical spaceflight hardware. You will work in an integrated collaborative team environment, engaging in daily interactions with technicians, engineers, and managers, while maintaining a positive and constructive attitude in the face of technical and non-technical challenges.

Responsibilities

• Design, analyze, test, and provide operational support of the most highly produced spacecraft electric thruster in history.
• Work closely with manufacturing team to ensure that your designs enable efficient, reliable, high-rate production.
• Design, build, modify, operate and troubleshoot the electric propulsion test facility, including vacuum chambers, cryogenic pumps, performance measurement systems, magnetic field measurement systems, plasma diagnostic systems, data acquisition and control systems, and associated wiring and instrumentation.
• Analyze and review data to ensure that hardware is operating as expected utilizing numerical data analysis tools to interpret test results.
• Spearhead root cause investigations and component redesigns to improve reliability and/or production rate.
• Develop and execute qualification test plans to ensure readiness for flight (vibration, shock, thermal cycle, life cycle).
• Balance rigor with risk tolerance to find the sweet spot in the cost/leadtime/reliability/performance space for a system that cannot accept a non-zero failure rate.
• Fully own critical spaceflight hardware - every engineer at SpaceX assumes profound responsibility for their hardware.
• Work in an integrated collaborative team environment including daily interactions with technicians, engineers, and managers.
• Maintain a positive and constructive attitude in the face of technical and non-technical challenges.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in aerospace engineering, physics, mechanical engineering or other engineering discipline.
• 5+ years of professional experience designing, testing, and analyzing electric propulsion systems.

Nice-to-haves

• Master's degree in aerospace engineering, mechanical engineering or other engineering discipline.
• Deep understanding of vacuum chamber operations, thermodynamics, structural design, electromagnetism, plasma physics, and materials properties.
• Proficiency in programming languages (Python, C/C++, Matlab).
• Demonstrated ability to work in a highly cross-functional role.
• Able to prioritize and execute tasks in a high-pressure environment.
• Self-motivated, well organized with keen attention to detail.
• Ongoing drive for continuous improvement in all aspects of work.
• Active Top Secret, Top Secret SCI; or ability and willingness to obtain a Top Secret clearance is desired but not required.

Benefits

• Comprehensive medical, vision, and dental coverage.
• Access to a 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 and the ability to purchase additional stock at a discount through an Employee Stock Purchase Plan.