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.
ELECTRIC PROPULSION ENGINEER (STARSHIELD)
Starshield leverages SpaceX’s Starlink technology and launch capability to support national security efforts. While Starlink is designed for consumer and commercial use, Starshield is designed for government use, with an initial focus on earth observation, communications, and hosted payloads.
SpaceX is looking to hire an Electric Propulsion Engineering to work with a brilliant and passionate of engineers. You will have the opportunity to work on the development (design, analysis, build, and test) of the most reliable and manufacturable satellite thrusters in the world.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Design, analyze, test, and provide operational support of the most highly produced spacecraft electric thruster in history
- Work closely with manufacturing team to ensure that your designs enable efficient, reliable, high-rate production
- Design, build, modify, operate and troubleshoot the electric propulsion test facility; includes vacuum chambers, cryogenic pumps, performance measurement systems, magnetic field measurement systems, plasma diagnostic systems, data acquisition and control systems, and associated wiring and instrumentation
- Analyze and review data to ensure that hardware is operating as expected utilizing numerical data analysis tools to interpret test results
- Spearhead root cause investigations and component redesigns to improve reliability and/or production rate
- Develop and execute qualification test plans to ensure readiness for flight (vibration, shock, thermal cycle, life cycle)
- Balance rigor with risk tolerance to find the sweet spot in the cost/leadtime/reliability/performance space for a system that cannot accept a non-zero failure rate
- Fully own critical spaceflight hardware – every engineer at SpaceX assumes profound responsibility for their hardware
- Work in an integrated collaborative team environment including daily interactions with technicians, engineers, and managers
- Maintain a positive and constructive attitude in the face of technical and non-technical challenges
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:
- Bachelor’s degree in an aerospace, physics, mechanical or other engineering discipline
- 2+ years of total experience in one or a combination of the following: involvement with an outside the classroom project team designing, building and testing electric propulsion components; academic research focused on electric propulsion; or professional experience designing, testing, and analyzing electric propulsion systems
PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:
- Master’s degree in an aerospace, mechanical or similar engineering discipline
- Deep understanding of vacuum chamber operations, thermodynamics, structural design, electromagnetism, plasma physics, and materials properties
- Proficiency in programming languages (Python, C/C++, Matlab)
- Demonstrated ability to work in a highly cross-functional role
- Able to prioritize and execute tasks in a high-pressure environment
- Self-motivated, well organized with keen attention to detail
- Must have an ongoing drive for continuous improvement in all aspects of work
- Active Top Secret, Top Secret SCI, OR ability and willingness to obtain a Top Secret clearance is desired but not required
ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:
- An active clearance may provide the opportunity for you to work on sensitive SpaceX missions; if so, you will be subject to pre-employment drug and random drug and alcohol testing
- Ability to perform job duties that require working in vacuum chambers, including standing, kneeling, crouching, twisting upper body, working in cramped positions in small openings and climbing hand over hand
- Must be able to travel - up to 10-15% work week travel may be required
COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS:
Pay Range:
Propulsion Engineer/Level II: $115,000.00 - $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. Those with an active clearance will receive a 10% differential, up to an additional $15,000 annually, once officially briefed into a classified program.
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. Exempt employees are eligible for 5 days of sick leave per year.
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 notify the Human Resources Department at (310) 363-6000.
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.
