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.
NDE ENGINEER (STARSHIP)
NDE (Non-Destructive Evaluation) Engineers ensure the structural integrity and reliability of Starship's primary structure, components, propulsion systems, and subassemblies through innovative inspection technologies. At Starbase, you will utilize advanced NDE techniques, including phased-array ultrasonics, radiography, eddy-current testing, and laser profilometry, to improve manufacturing processes. You will seamlessly integrate these methods with automated systems to enable high-rate production, drive optimizations, and ensure mission success.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Develop and deliver advanced nondestructive evaluation inspection solutions
- Design, prototype, and implement nondestructive sensor systems to solve manufacturing quality problems
- Interface with vehicle engineering across all programs to align on inspection requirements and capabilities, feasibility, designing parts for inspectability, inspection method selection, interpretation, and evaluation of data
- Prototype early inspection development and bench-top validation to reduce risk for new technologies
- Interface with vendors, tooling and automation groups to define requirements, manage projects through to delivery
- Support targets and goals such as nondestructive automation initiatives, increased probability of detection, reduced cycle time, right first-time manufacture/assembly, and indication/defect reduction
- Develop technology in emerging nondestructive methodologies
- Support NDE specialists with development, qualification and deployment of new inspection processes (gauge R&R, PODs) including documentation and training
- Be able to present risk/performance analysis and recommendations to cross-functional teams including executives
- Manage priorities and support a host of projects simultaneously
- Define integration test plans for hardware products or software features with integration milestones that align with the program timeline
- Drive cross-functional nondestructive design and analysis discussions with electrical, software, manufacturing, and vehicle design teams
- Develop data collection and analysis pipeline at all stages of the project
- Understand and debug hardware and software interactions during design, launch, and deployment
- Use field data to improve design and performance of NDE systems
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:
- Bachelor's degree in an engineering discipline or physics
- 1+ years of hands-on technical engineering experience (internship and school projects experience qualify)
PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:
- Master’s degree or PhD in an engineering discipline
- Knowledge of a variety of NDE techniques such as ultrasonic testing, eddy current testing, digital radiography testing, etc
- Knowledge of statistical modeling, machine learning, and mathematical optimization
- Understanding of hardware and software development and validation process
- Familiarity with JIRA or similar task/feature tracking systems
- Knowledge of automation, including robotics
- Experience with software and automation coding (Labview, Python, C#, SQL)
- Ability to multitask, from developing technologies, project management, and training people throughout the introduction of multiple productive solutions, from inception and R&D to full-volume production
- Experience with problem solving tools and techniques: Practical Problem Solving, 8D etc
ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:
- Ability to work flexible hours and occasional weekend support as needed
- Ability to work at elevated heights occasionally (scissor lifts and articulated boom lifts)
- Ability to travel to vendors and other SpaceX sites as needed (up to 25%)
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 or physics
- 1+ years of hands-on technical engineering experience
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.
