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 Sr. Propulsion Engineer, Additive (Raptor) at SpaceX is responsible for the design, development, and testing of additive manufacturing processes, focusing on enhancing machine performance, optimizing part design, and implementing process improvements. This role involves collaboration with various engineering teams to ensure high-quality production of components for space exploration technologies.

Responsibilities

• Drive and identify projects to enhance printer platforms based on machine issues and data acquisition.
• Contribute to the design, development, and testing of additive processes 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 efficient production of high-quality parts.
• Work with materials engineers to develop optimal print parameters and design allowables for alloys.
• Develop systems for efficient data collection and analysis in the additive process.
• Document best practices for new equipment and processes.
• Identify and implement safety improvements in additive manufacturing.

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 process control.
• 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.
• Knowledge of optics and lasers.
• Familiarity with engineering materials properties, particularly for steels or nickel-based alloys.
• Ability to perform trade studies using engineering fundamentals.
• Proficient in principles of flow, thermodynamics, mechanics, materials, and electrical circuits.
• Excellent communication skills and ability to present recommendations succinctly.
• Passion for advancing the commercial space industry and human spaceflight.
• Ability to work well in a collaborative team environment.
• Highly self-motivated with the ability to prioritize tasks in a high-pressure environment.

Benefits

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