Sr. Propulsion Engineer, Additive (Raptor)

$125,000 - $175,000/Yr

SpaceX - Hawthorne, CA

Full-time - Mid Level

Hawthorne, CA

Transportation Equipment Manufacturing

About the position

The Senior Propulsion Engineer, Additive (Raptor) at SpaceX is responsible for the design, development, and testing of all aspects of the additive manufacturing process. This role focuses on enhancing the robustness and repeatability of additive manufacturing platforms, collaborating with engineering teams, and implementing process improvements to optimize production efficiency and part quality.

Responsibilities

• Drive and identify projects to enhance printer platforms based on machine issues and data acquisition.
• Contribute to the design, development, and testing of the additive process using powder-bed and powder-fed approaches.
• Implement process improvement efforts throughout the additive manufacturing process.
• Collaborate with the design team to optimize features for additive manufacturing.
• Generate and optimize build files for high-quality parts with maximum consistency.
• Work with materials engineers to develop optimal print parameters and heat treatments for alloys.
• Maintain systems for efficient process data collection and analysis.
• Document best practices for new equipment and processes.
• Identify and implement safety improvements in the additive manufacturing process.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in engineering discipline.
• 5+ years of professional hands-on fabrication, assembly, testing, and/or project management experience.

Nice-to-haves

• Master's degree in engineering discipline.
• Experience with operating additive machines and parameter development.
• Experience troubleshooting and repairing large industrial equipment.
• Experience with PLC programming.
• Proficiency in C#, Python, and/or SQL.
• Knowledge of various additive and subtractive manufacturing techniques for metals.
• Familiarity with common engineering materials properties, especially for steels or nickel-based alloys.
• Ability to perform trade studies using first principles and engineering fundamentals.
• Excellent communication skills and ability to present recommendations succinctly.
• Passion for advancing the commercial space industry and human spaceflight.

Benefits

• Comprehensive medical, vision, and dental coverage.
• 401(k) retirement plan.
• Short & long-term disability insurance.
• Life insurance.
• Paid parental leave.
• 3 weeks of paid vacation.
• 10 or more paid holidays per year.
• 5 days of sick leave per year.
• Access to long-term incentives, including company stock and stock options.
• Potential discretionary bonuses.
• Employee Stock Purchase Plan with discounted stock purchase options.