SpaceX was founded under the belief that a future where humanity is out exploring the stars is fundamentally more exciting than one where we are not. Today SpaceX is actively developing the technologies to make this possible, with the ultimate goal of enabling human life on Mars.
CITY ENGINEER (STARSHIP)
Starbase is the center of SpaceX's plans to revolutionize space travel, serving as our primary site for Starship development and operations. We're seeking a licensed Professional Engineer to serve as our internal "City Engineer." This individual will ensure that all civil engineering projects at Starbase meet the highest standards of quality, compliance, and innovation. In this role, you'll own the permitting process for infrastructure developments, bridging the gap between our internal teams, consultants, and local authorities.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Act as the primary owner and reviewer for final plan documents produced by internal engineering teams and external consultants, ensuring they are submission ready.
- Develop standardized form plan sets, establish minimum standards, and create checklists to guide engineers in producing high-quality, compliant engineering documents.
- Provide expert guidance to cross-functional teams on the status of plans, including readiness assessments for stamping and submission, to streamline workflows and minimize delays.
- Collaborate with project managers, designers, and stakeholders to resolve technical issues, optimize designs for efficiency, and incorporate innovative solutions that align with SpaceX's rapid iteration ethos.
- Stay up to date on the latest in civil engineering codes, permitting processes, and best practices to ensure Starbase's infrastructure supports our aggressive launch and development timelines.
- Contribute to the continuous improvement of our engineering documentation processes, fostering a culture of excellence and accountability.
- Proven track record of working with municipal or local authorities on infrastructure projects, including document submission and compliance.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:
- Bachelor's degree in an engineering discipline.
- Licensed Professional Engineer (P.E.) in the state of Texas, with the ability to stamp and certify plans.
- 1+ years of experience in civil engineering, including project management, plan development, and permitting processes.
PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:
- Experience in high-stakes, fast-paced environments such as aerospace, construction, or large-scale industrial developments.
- Familiarity with Texas-specific regulations, including those relevant to coastal or high-growth areas like Starbase.
- Strong communication skills to mentor engineers and provide clear, actionable feedback on plan development stages.
- Proficiency in engineering software tools (e.g., GIS, AutoCAD, Civil 3D) and document management systems.
- Ability to thrive in ambiguous situations, adapting quickly to evolving project needs while maintaining rigorous standards.
- Passion for space exploration and a willingness to relocate to work in Starbase, Texas, to be at the forefront of humanity's multiplanetary future.
- Strong communication skills to mentor engineers and provide clear, actionable feedback on plan development stages.
ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:
- This position is based in Starbase, TX and requires being onsite – remote work not considered
- Must be able to work extended hours and weekends as needed
- Must be willing to travel periodically including to other SpaceX locations as needed
ITAR REQUIREMENTS:
- To conform to U.S. Government export regulations, applicant must be a (i) U.S. citizen or national, (ii) U.S. lawful, permanent resident (aka green card holder), (iii) Refugee under 8 U.S.C. § 1157, or (iv) Asylee under 8 U.S.C. § 1158, or be eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State. Learn more about the ITAR here.
SpaceX is an Equal Opportunity Employer; employment with SpaceX is governed on the basis of merit, competence and qualifications and will not be influenced in any manner by race, color, religion, gender, national origin/ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, mental or physical disability or any other legally protected status.
Applicants wishing to view a copy of SpaceX’s Affirmative Action Plan for veterans and individuals with disabilities, or applicants requiring reasonable accommodation to the application/interview process should reach out to [email protected].
Skills Required
- Bachelor's degree in an engineering discipline
- Licensed Professional Engineer (P.E.) in Texas
- 1+ years of experience in civil engineering
SpaceX Compensation & Benefits Highlights
The following summarizes recurring compensation and benefits themes identified from responses generated by popular LLMs to common candidate questions about SpaceX and has not been reviewed or approved by SpaceX.
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Equity Value & Accessibility — Equity grants are a core part of total compensation, with periodic company-run tender offers that create liquidity before any public listing. These mechanisms can make the equity component feel materially valuable in practice.
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Healthcare Strength — The package includes comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage, with on-site clinics and health resources at major sites. This breadth of coverage is presented as a strong element of the offering.
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Wellbeing & Lifestyle Benefits — Major locations feature on-site amenities such as fitness facilities, food/coffee, clinics, and other conveniences. These lifestyle perks enhance day-to-day value alongside cash and equity.
SpaceX Insights
What We Do
SpaceX designs, manufactures and launches the world’s most advanced rockets and spacecraft. The company was founded in 2002 by Elon Musk to revolutionize space transportation, with the ultimate goal of making life multiplanetary. SpaceX has gained worldwide attention for a series of historic milestones. It is the only private company ever to return a spacecraft from low-Earth orbit, which it first accomplished in December 2010. The company made history again in May 2012 when its Dragon spacecraft attached to the International Space Station, exchanged cargo payloads, and returned safely to Earth — a technically challenging feat previously accomplished only by governments. Since then Dragon has delivered cargo to and from the space station multiple times, providing regular cargo resupply missions for NASA.
