Sr. Launch Engineer, Propulsion (Dragon)

$125,000 - $175,000/Yr

SpaceX - Cape Canaveral, FL

Full-time - Mid Level

Cape Canaveral, FL

Transportation Equipment Manufacturing

About the position

The Sr. Launch Engineer, Propulsion (Dragon) at SpaceX is responsible for the integration and testing of the Dragon propulsion system, focusing on efficiency projects and technical guidance. This role involves mentoring junior engineers, managing projects for vehicle maintenance and refurbishment, and collaborating with various engineering teams to ensure successful flight operations. The engineer will also be involved in developing procedures for testing and integration, as well as designing tools and hardware for vehicle processing.

Responsibilities

• Focus on Dragon Propulsion system integration, pressurized checkouts, and efficiency projects.
• Provide technical guidance and lead efforts to achieve long-term department and program-wide goals.
• Mentor junior engineers and serve as the subject matter expert for the team.
• Develop and execute procedures for the integration and testing of crew/cargo Dragon flight hardware and ground support equipment.
• Become a Dragon vehicle controller and test conductor for integrated system pressurized testing and proofing operations.
• Evaluate flight vehicle requirements and work scope for capsule refurbishment campaigns.
• Manage projects to drive impactful change in Dragon refurbishment processes.
• 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 for maximum efficiency.
• Manage work orders and drive non-conformances into actionable items and system improvements.
• Maintain large integrated planning documents for varying capsule configurations and work scope.
• Design and develop tools and hardware for vehicle processing and testing capabilities.
• Help develop, build, and maintain Dragon processing facilities.
• Collaborate with engineering staff from other departments and skilled technicians.
• Work with government or commercial customers on pre- and post-flight preparations for human spaceflight.
• Manage and track multiple priorities while focusing on common project goals.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering, aerospace engineering, chemical engineering, or other engineering discipline.
• 5+ 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 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