Sr. Propulsion Engineer (Raptor Flight)

SR. PROPULSION ENGINEER (RAPTOR FLIGHT)

The Senior Propulsion Engineer is responsible for taking engine operations from concept to reliable, repeatable flight. In this role, you will develop and oversee all processes necessary to effectively and safely prepare and fly world-changing Starship launch vehicles. Joint brilliant, passionate engineers to rapidly develop methods that achieve airline-like operations for the world’s highest-performing rocket engines.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Perform analysis, development engineering, and flight operations tasks for Raptor engine propulsion systems.
• Align resources to accomplish team’s objectives, practice clear ownership, and set the performance bar at a high standard of excellence.
• Enable high launch cadence with unparalleled reliability through automated analysis of test and flight data; expand existing capabilities and develop new algorithms to improve reliability and thoroughness of all flight processes.
• Collaborate with engineers and technicians from various disciplines (e.g. Software, Ground Systems, Stage Propulsion, Integration and Test, Guidance and Control) to achieve successful and reliable engine performance in flight and during ground vehicle testing, and to continuously refine the designs and practices for increased product reliability and reduced costs.
• Support live test and flight operations in role of a primary console operator; analyze telemetry data to establish engine systems health and to troubleshoot anomalies.
• Exercise risk-conscious decision-making skills under high pressure and across multiple engineering systems; brief company leadership during live operations and anomaly investigations as required.
• Support vehicle-level readiness and data reviews for the engine systems; represent the engine system in the role of Responsible Engineer to the rest of the vehicle, ground, and customer disciplines.
• Implement and maintain rigorous hardware and software verification processes through the practical application of automation and process controls.
• Fully own critical spaceflight operations (and possibly hardware) with profound responsibility
• Execute walkdowns, and support hardware troubleshooting in the field.
• Develop engineering test and flight plans; own engine development and validation testing campaigns or certain engineering inputs.
• Balance competing priorities and multiple dynamic projects simultaneously, while assessing the level of depth/accuracy needed for each task; push tasks to completion, with a burning sense of urgency and extreme ownership.
• Operate in high-stress environment with grit, endurance, and a great attitude.
• Apply thermofluids fundamentals to size fluid systems and construct performance and risk trades for Raptor engine product and associated stage systems.
• Lead engineering reviews and drive trade analyses to practical recommendations and decisions.

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s degree in an engineering discipline with training in thermofluids area.
• 4+ years of experience with liquid rocket engines or associated fluid systems.
• Experience in hardware design, manufacture, assembly, test, or flight.

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:

• Ability to pivot and adapt quickly to changes in direction, schedule, priority, and/or level of depth as required to stay aligned with program’s evolving needs.
• Master’s degree in mechanical engineering or aeronautical/astronautical engineering.
• Demonstrable proficiency in the basic principles of compressible/incompressible flow, thermodynamics, and materials.
• Experience developing hardware or operations from concept to working prototypes and refining the product to achieve robustness and autonomy.
• Experience with engineering programming tools (Python, MATLAB, or similar) and hardware design tools (Siemens NX or similar).
• Familiarity with basic concepts of control systems.
• Experience running engineering trade and risks reviews with senior leadership of the organization.
• Passion for developing and following rigorous engineering processes designed to deliver reliability in a high-stakes environment.
• Experience operating in a rapidly growing and evolving technical environment.
• Ability to act and execute in a scrappy and entrepreneurial manner.
• Professional liquid engine development experience; experience working with pressurized fluid components such as valves and pneumatic systems; experience working with high-temperature or combustion systems.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Willingness to travel between CA and TX or FL in support of test and flight operations and hardware development.
• Willingness to work extended hours and weekends as needed.

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS:

Pay Range:
Level 3: $135,000.00 - $215,000.00

Your actual level and base salary will be determined on a case-by-case basis and may vary based on the following considerations: job-related knowledge and skills, education, and experience.

Base salary is just one part of your total rewards package at SpaceX. You may also be eligible for long-term incentives, in the form of company stock or long-term cash awards, as well as potential discretionary bonuses and the ability to purchase additional stock at a discount through an Employee Stock Purchase Plan. You will also receive access to comprehensive medical, vision, and dental coverage, access to a 401(k) retirement plan, short and long-term disability insurance, life insurance, paid parental leave, and various other discounts and perks. You may also accrue 3 weeks of paid vacation and will be eligible for 10 or more paid holidays per year. Employees accrue paid sick leave pursuant to Company policy which satisfies or exceeds the accrual, carryover, and use requirements of the law.