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.
COMPONENTS BUILD AND TEST ENGINEER (FALCON)
The Propulsion Components team develops the most advanced launch vehicle components in the world. Our engineers serve as hardware experts for the flow control devices and mechanisms that drive the critical capabilities on our Falcon vehicles - from engine throttling to attitude control. We design and build valves, regulators, and actuators for maximum reliability in extreme environments, with temperatures ranging from +900°F to -400°F and pressures beyond 5,000 psig.
Propulsion component engineers (manufacturing-focused) take full ownership over their hardware: urgently troubleshooting issues at test/launch sites, performing hands-on testing to inform development or root cause investigations, implementing design or test upgrades to improve reliability or reuse, and enabling high-rate valve production. Falcon is approaching 20-flight reuse and its highest-ever launch rate in support of our Starlink satellite deployment. We are seeking hands-on engineers to tackle open-ended failure investigations, rapidly implement design and build upgrades, perform flight-like testing to ensure mission success, and deliver components at an industry-leading rate without sacrificing quality or capability.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Own the production, assembly, and testing of propulsion, environmental, and thermal control system components for our Falcon programs
- Create assembly and test work instructions, as well as design fixtures and tooling to enable high-rate production
- Design, manufacture, and maintain automated high-pressure test equipment
- Question existing requirements and lead creative changes to production process and hardware
- Collaborate and work closely with design engineers, build and test technicians, internal machine shops and external vendors to make parts that are designed for manufacturability
- Resolve and analyze manufacturing and test discrepancies, while interfacing with the quality team (resolving issues for design, fabrication, and assembly)
- Support component level testing such as proof and leak, fluid flow and functional checkouts
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:
- Bachelor’s degree in engineering discipline or physics
- 1+ years of experience manufacturing, building, testing, or troubleshooting hardware via professional work experience and/or project/research-based student experience
PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:
- 1+ years of research or professional experience in technical fields
- Experience with developing production processes, factory optimization, or manufacturing and machining methods
- Experience with instrumentation, data acquisition, and data review
- Hands-on experience trouble-shooting, building and testing hardware
- Understanding of fundamental principals in fluid systems and solid mechanics
ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:
- Ability to pass Air Force background checks for Cape Canaveral and Vandenberg
- Ability to travel to vendors and other SpaceX sites as needed
- Ability to work flexible hours and occasional weekend support as needed
COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS:
Pay range:
Manufacturing Engineer/Level I: $100,000.00 - $115,000.00/per year
Manufacturing Engineer/Level II: $110,000.00 - $135,000.00/per year
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, stock options, 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.
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].
Top Skills
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.
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