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.
MECHANICAL ENGINEER, STARSHIP LAUNCH HARDWARE
As a member of the Starship Launch Hardware team you will work with a group of engineers across multiple disciplines to design, build, activate the production tools, launch pads, and recovery systems for Starship.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Design and analyze mechanical systems for launch pads, recovery, and production tooling
- Demonstrate complete end to end project ownership, coordinate the build, testing and activation of the hardware you design
- Work closely with launch operations teams and their leadership to ensure the products we deliver meet form, function, and aesthetic expectations
- Use your well-rounded technical knowledge to display proficiency in basic structural sizing, mechanisms, and design while making development decisions based on cost and schedule considerations
- Present cost and schedule trade proposals to leadership
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:
- Bachelor’s degree in an engineering discipline
- 1+ years of professional experience using NX, CATIA, Creo, or Solidworks design software package or ANSYS, ABAQUS, or FEMAP software (internship and project experience applies)
PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:
- 1+ years of experience in a professional setting designing, analyzing, or building mechanical structures
- Master’s degree in mechanical engineering
- Project management experience in the aerospace, industrial, or power generation industry
- Strong understanding and demonstrated application of GD&T
- Ability to work well in an integrated collaborative team environment including daily interactions with technicians, engineers, and managers
- Passion for hands-on work when needed to enable project completion
- Skilled in reading and interpreting engineering drawings, parts lists, and specification
- Proactive, self-starter attitude and ability to lead projects throughout their entirety
ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:
- Willing to travel to other SpaceX locations as necessary
- Work schedule may vary depending on site operational needs, and flexibility is required
- Lifting, standing, climbing, bending, grasping, sitting, pulling, pushing, stooping, stretching, and carrying are generally required to perform the functions of this position
- Ability to pass Air Force background check for Cape Canaveral
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
- At least 1 year of professional experience using NX, CATIA, Creo, SolidWorks, ANSYS, ABAQUS, or FEMAP; internship and project experience applies
- At least 1 year of professional experience designing, analyzing, or building mechanical structures
- Master's degree in mechanical engineering
- Project management experience in aerospace, industrial, or power generation
- Strong understanding and demonstrated application of GD&T
- Ability to collaborate with technicians, engineers, and managers
- Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings, parts lists, and specifications
- Ability to lead projects through completion
- Willingness to travel to other SpaceX locations as necessary
- Ability to pass an Air Force background check for Cape Canaveral
- Must satisfy applicable ITAR work authorization requirements
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.
