Jobs via Dice
Mechanical Engineer, Flight Termination (Starship Components)
Jobs via Dice, Hawthorne, California, United States, 90250
Mechanical Engineer, Flight Termination System (Starship Components)
SpaceX is seeking a Mechanical Engineer, Flight Termination System (Starship Components) to join the Starship Components team. The team develops advanced spacecraft components such as valves, regulators, actuators, pumps, and explosives that support Starship/Super Heavy propulsion and flight termination capabilities. As a Mechanical Engineer in Flight Termination, you will work across manufacturing, design, testing, and qualification to develop robust hardware for extreme environments and high reliability requirements. You will own hardware across the product lifecycle and collaborate with multiple disciplines to ensure mission success. Responsibilities
Develop state-of-the-art, manufacturable explosive devices and robust hardware integration designs (system controllers, electronic safe and arm devices, destruct charges, integrated detonators) for the Starship and Super Heavy Flight Termination System Question requirements, simplify processes, accelerate and automate component deliveries Validate hardware reliability through rigorous testing (shock, vibration, thermal cycling, climatic, live-fire). Design experiments, develop fixturing, and generate technical reports Act as chief engineer with avionics, stage, and flight safety teams to arrive at simple, cost-effective solutions; inform system-level architecture considering component capabilities and vulnerabilities Collaborate with manufacturing, production, testing, and supply chain to achieve high build rates and factory yield; accelerate delivery to >1 full stacked vehicle per month Generate and maintain detailed drawings, specifications, analyses, and risk assessments Lead root-cause investigations and implement corrective actions to prevent repeat failures Set qualification and design standards to meet regulatory requirements Define design criteria, select architectures, size components for appropriate force margins, perform structural analyses, and monitor hardware performance in vehicle operations Aim for zero in-flight anomalies and minimize component-caused delays Basic Qualifications
Bachelor's degree in physics or an engineering discipline 1+ years of hands-on manufacturing, testing, or design experience (internships and project teams qualify) Preferred Skills and Experience
Leadership or mentorship experience and ability to communicate technical concepts across disciplines 1+ years of professional experience in manufacturing, testing, design, or machining of mechanical systems Hands-on experience from vehicle/robotics competitions in fluid systems, high voltage systems, electronics, explosives, or instrumentation Strong foundation in solid mechanics, fluid dynamics, electrical circuits, manufacturing processes, dynamics and controls, heat transfer, and thermodynamics Ability to analyze complex datasets to identify trends or failure modes Understanding of electro-mechanical devices, gear trains, actuators, motors, valves, pumps, regulators, filters, and explosives Proficiency in drawings (GD&T), CNC operation/programming, automated part handling, and inspection methods Experience in ANSYS or impact/explosion analysis tools Willingness to obtain ATF explosives clearance or handle high-explosive devices Experience in software development in SQL or Python Additional Requirements
Travel to vendors and SpaceX sites as needed Ability to work flexible hours and occasional weekend support Compensation and Benefits
Pay range: Level I: $95,000 - $115,000 per year; Level II: $110,000 - $130,000 per year. Base salary is determined on experience and qualifications. Includes long-term incentives, bonuses, and stock options where applicable; comprehensive medical, vision, and dental coverage; 401(k); disability and life insurance; paid parental leave; vacation and holidays; sick leave as per policy. ITAR Requirements
Learn more about the ITAR requirements. SpaceX is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate based on protected status. Applicants requiring reasonable accommodation should reach out for the application/interview process. Job Details
Seniority level: Entry level Employment type: Full-time Job function: Engineering and Information Technology Industries: Software Development
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SpaceX is seeking a Mechanical Engineer, Flight Termination System (Starship Components) to join the Starship Components team. The team develops advanced spacecraft components such as valves, regulators, actuators, pumps, and explosives that support Starship/Super Heavy propulsion and flight termination capabilities. As a Mechanical Engineer in Flight Termination, you will work across manufacturing, design, testing, and qualification to develop robust hardware for extreme environments and high reliability requirements. You will own hardware across the product lifecycle and collaborate with multiple disciplines to ensure mission success. Responsibilities
Develop state-of-the-art, manufacturable explosive devices and robust hardware integration designs (system controllers, electronic safe and arm devices, destruct charges, integrated detonators) for the Starship and Super Heavy Flight Termination System Question requirements, simplify processes, accelerate and automate component deliveries Validate hardware reliability through rigorous testing (shock, vibration, thermal cycling, climatic, live-fire). Design experiments, develop fixturing, and generate technical reports Act as chief engineer with avionics, stage, and flight safety teams to arrive at simple, cost-effective solutions; inform system-level architecture considering component capabilities and vulnerabilities Collaborate with manufacturing, production, testing, and supply chain to achieve high build rates and factory yield; accelerate delivery to >1 full stacked vehicle per month Generate and maintain detailed drawings, specifications, analyses, and risk assessments Lead root-cause investigations and implement corrective actions to prevent repeat failures Set qualification and design standards to meet regulatory requirements Define design criteria, select architectures, size components for appropriate force margins, perform structural analyses, and monitor hardware performance in vehicle operations Aim for zero in-flight anomalies and minimize component-caused delays Basic Qualifications
Bachelor's degree in physics or an engineering discipline 1+ years of hands-on manufacturing, testing, or design experience (internships and project teams qualify) Preferred Skills and Experience
Leadership or mentorship experience and ability to communicate technical concepts across disciplines 1+ years of professional experience in manufacturing, testing, design, or machining of mechanical systems Hands-on experience from vehicle/robotics competitions in fluid systems, high voltage systems, electronics, explosives, or instrumentation Strong foundation in solid mechanics, fluid dynamics, electrical circuits, manufacturing processes, dynamics and controls, heat transfer, and thermodynamics Ability to analyze complex datasets to identify trends or failure modes Understanding of electro-mechanical devices, gear trains, actuators, motors, valves, pumps, regulators, filters, and explosives Proficiency in drawings (GD&T), CNC operation/programming, automated part handling, and inspection methods Experience in ANSYS or impact/explosion analysis tools Willingness to obtain ATF explosives clearance or handle high-explosive devices Experience in software development in SQL or Python Additional Requirements
Travel to vendors and SpaceX sites as needed Ability to work flexible hours and occasional weekend support Compensation and Benefits
Pay range: Level I: $95,000 - $115,000 per year; Level II: $110,000 - $130,000 per year. Base salary is determined on experience and qualifications. Includes long-term incentives, bonuses, and stock options where applicable; comprehensive medical, vision, and dental coverage; 401(k); disability and life insurance; paid parental leave; vacation and holidays; sick leave as per policy. ITAR Requirements
Learn more about the ITAR requirements. SpaceX is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate based on protected status. Applicants requiring reasonable accommodation should reach out for the application/interview process. Job Details
Seniority level: Entry level Employment type: Full-time Job function: Engineering and Information Technology Industries: Software Development
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