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.
SR. TRAJECTORY ANALYSIS ENGINEER (STARSHIP)
As a Trajectory Analysis Engineer, you will be responsible for finding creative analysis solutions to enable the world’s most advanced rockets, including our next-generation Starship vehicle, a fully reusable spacecraft capable of carrying humans to Mars and beyond. You will work with a talented team of accomplished engineers to iterate on mission objectives for upcoming and future flights to ensure flight safety objectives are met. You should thrive in fast-paced, dynamic environments where you adapt quickly and love to solve hard problems.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Analyze launch vehicle trajectories and vehicle performance in the presence of faults
- Find creative flight plan solutions to enable mission objectives, while maintaining safe vehicle operation
- Generate and submit flight safety deliverables
- Produce and present trajectory analysis products for internal and external partners
- Interface with internal operations teams, flight reliability teams, hardware teams, and external regulatory partners such as the FAA.
- Engage in multi-disciplinary vehicle systems investigations to motivate mission design, vehicle architecture, and analysis methodologies
- Develop and evaluate flight termination system mission rules
- Support launch and mission operations of vehicles that you enabled
- Conduct flight data review
- Automate mission-to-mission trajectory analysis product generation
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:
- Bachelor's degree in physics or an engineering discipline AND 5+ years of professional experience
- Experience with orbital mechanics, classical dynamics, modeling, and simulation
- Experience with the software languages Python or C++
PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:
- 5+ years of professional experience in trajectory analysis and aerodynamics
- Demonstrated project or professional experience in launch vehicle and/or spacecraft systems
- Capable of solving complex problems with little to no supervision on schedule as an individual or as a member of an integrated team
- Experience with system trades and first-hand knowledge of how requirements tie hardware to larger systems
- Passion for advancing the commercial space industry and human spaceflight
- Excellent communication skills both written and verbal
ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:
- Must be willing to work extended hours and/or weekends as needed
COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS:
Pay range:
Trajectory Analysis Engineer/Senior: $130,000.00 - $180,000.00/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 & long-term disability insurance, life insurance, paid parental leave, and various other discounts and perks. You may also accrue 3 weeks of paid vacation & 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.
