Sr. Launch Reliability Engineer (Operations and Automation)

$125,000 - $175,000/Yr

SpaceX - Cape Canaveral, FL

Full-time - Mid Level

Cape Canaveral, FL

5,001-10,000 employees

Transportation Equipment Manufacturing

About the position

The Launch Reliability Engineer at SpaceX plays a crucial role in ensuring the reliability of flight and ground components, as well as promoting efficient operational processes. This position involves collaborating with various teams to guide hardware from design to production, operation, and maintenance, utilizing data to enhance reliability and support quality objectives. The engineer will work hands-on in diverse environments, including the office, factory floor, and lab, contributing to the mission of making humanity interplanetary through projects like Falcon 9, Dragon, and Starship.

Responsibilities

• Provide support to operators on vehicle, payload, and spacecraft processing to ensure reliable launches.
• Collaborate with various disciplines involved in the development and build of launch systems to maintain consistent operational processes.
• Develop, implement, and validate lean test and validation processes for automation products, ensuring quality goals are met.
• Support operator teams in continuous improvement and advancing a lean, autonomous vehicle operation system.
• Identify high-risk operations and implement improvements to mitigate risks and ensure success.
• Investigate failures involving console operators and automation to reduce risk and improve reliability.
• Establish training standards for new operators to ensure safety and effectiveness.
• Maintain a feedback loop to drive hardware inputs for a reliable launch cadence, using data to prioritize high-impact issues.
• Participate in design reviews to ensure design for quality, manufacturability, and appropriate testing methods.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in an engineering or science discipline (e.g. physics, chemistry, computer science, mathematics).
• 5+ years in a manufacturing, quality, and/or engineering role.

Nice-to-haves

• 18+ months of on-console operator experience.
• Experience in a high-risk operations environment with knowledge of processes, controls, and training methods.
• Knowledge of quality tools such as Lean principles, Six Sigma, root cause analysis, and advanced product quality planning (APQP).
• Strong interpersonal and collaborative skills, with enthusiasm for innovation and improving reliability in technology.
• Experience in automation development, fluid system operations, and control systems testing.

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.