Sr. Propulsion Engineer (Crew Starship)

$125,000 - $175,000/Yr

SpaceX - Hawthorne, CA

Full-time - Mid Level

Hawthorne, CA

Transportation Equipment Manufacturing

About the position

The Senior Propulsion Engineer for Crew Starship at SpaceX is responsible for developing fluid systems that enable high performance and manufacturable interplanetary vehicles. This role involves designing, analyzing, and building fluid systems for the Crew Starship vehicle, which is pivotal for future crewed space exploration. The engineer will engage in sizing vehicle fluid systems, mechanical design, structural analysis, and overseeing the manufacturing and build flow of parts and systems.

Responsibilities

• Perform fluids system sizing analysis to determine basic system requirements
• Transform system requirements into hardware concepts and trade implementation and architecture options
• Design a range of pressurized and unpressurized structures and parts to enable system capability, creating original CAD models and prints
• Perform hand calculations and structural analysis of components to ensure survivability
• Drive the first builds of flight hardware and work with a manufacturing team to establish a production line
• Coordinate and execute development, qualification, and acceptance testing of flight hardware
• Lead design reviews internally and with suppliers and customers (e.g. NASA)
• Exemplify technical excellence and be accountable for your work

Requirements

• Bachelor's or advanced degree in an engineering discipline
• Hands-on project experience with fluid and mechanical systems
• 5+ years of mechanical or fluids design, analysis, or build experience (student project team and internship experience qualifies)

Nice-to-haves

• Experience with fluid dynamics, finite element, or related computer-based modeling
• Experience with pressurized components (valves, regulators, tubes, pipes, etc.)
• Experience with selection of materials considering engineering properties, manufacturing, and fluid compatibility
• Experience with finite element analysis (FEA) software packages and CAD packages
• Technical knowledge of human spacecraft systems and operations
• Leadership experience on an engineering or project team

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
• 3 weeks of paid vacation
• 10 or more paid holidays per year
• Potential discretionary bonuses
• Long-term incentives in the form of company stock or cash awards