SpaceX
Mechanical Engineer, Design (Starship Components)
SpaceX, Hawthorne, California, United States, 90250
Overview
SpaceX was founded with the goal of enabling human life on Mars. The Starship Components team develops advanced spacecraft and launch vehicle components, including valves, regulators, electromechanical actuators, pumps, and explosives, that support Starship and Super Heavy vehicle capabilities such as propellant flow, ullage gas thrusters, flap/fin actuators, and flight termination. Engineers design, machine, build, and test components for operation in extreme environments, with temperatures from 80 to 800 K, pressures beyond 800 bar, and life capability of >100 flights. As a Mechanical Engineer, Design (Starship Components), you will leverage your knowledge and creativity to develop novel solutions, own the relationship between vehicle hardware/systems teams and manufacturing, and lead projects through analysis, development testing, and mechanical design. You will contribute to vehicle architecture trades and lead design and flight readiness for Starship.
Responsibilities
Develop innovative, manufacturable flow control devices (valves, regulators, pumps, solenoids) and mechanisms (flap/fin actuators, destruct charges) across Starship and Super Heavy stage systems Question requirements, simplify/optimize processes, accelerate and automate component deliveries Act as the chief engineer, collaborating with stage, avionics, and flight safety teams to arrive at the simplest vehicle solution Inform system-level architecture with component capabilities and vulnerabilities to minimize payload cost to orbit Assemble design criteria, select architecture, size components for proper force margins, perform structural analysis, generate detailed part drawings, conduct qualification testing, present design reviews, and monitor hardware performance during vehicle operations Aim for zero in-flight anomalies, reduce component-caused delays, and lead root-cause investigations in factory and on the vehicle with corrective actions 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 all disciplines and levels 1+ years of professional experience in manufacturing, testing, design, or machining of mechanical systems Hands-on experience from industry or collegiate 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 engineering datasets to extract trends or failure modes Understanding of electro-mechanical devices, gear trains, actuators, motors, valves, pumps, regulators, filters, and explosives Proficient in drawings (GD&T), CNC operation/programming, CNC probing, automated part feeding/catching, and inspection methods Experience in ANSYS or impact/explosion analysis (LSDYNA, BlastX, CHEETAH, Hydrocode) Willingness to obtain ATF explosives clearance or handle high-explosive devices Experience in SQL or Python software development Additional Requirements
Travel to vendors and SpaceX sites as needed Able to work flexible hours and occasional weekend support as needed Compensation and Benefits
Pay range: Level I: $95,000 - $115,000/year; Level II: $110,000 - $130,000/year Your level and base salary are determined on a case-by-case basis based on job-related knowledge, education, and experience Base salary is part of a total rewards package including stock options, bonuses, and potential Employee Stock Purchase Plan Comprehensive medical, vision, and dental coverage; 401(k); disability, life insurance; paid parental leave; 3 weeks paid vacation; 10+ paid holidays; paid sick leave as per company policy ITAR Requirements
To conform to U.S. Government export regulations, applicants must be a U.S. citizen or national, a lawful permanent resident, a Refugee, or an Asylee, or eligible to obtain required authorizations. Learn more about ITAR here. SpaceX is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Employment is based on merit and qualifications and not on race, color, religion, gender, national origin/ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, or any other protected status. Applicants requiring reasonable accommodation for the application/interview process should contact EEOCompliance@spacex.com.
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SpaceX was founded with the goal of enabling human life on Mars. The Starship Components team develops advanced spacecraft and launch vehicle components, including valves, regulators, electromechanical actuators, pumps, and explosives, that support Starship and Super Heavy vehicle capabilities such as propellant flow, ullage gas thrusters, flap/fin actuators, and flight termination. Engineers design, machine, build, and test components for operation in extreme environments, with temperatures from 80 to 800 K, pressures beyond 800 bar, and life capability of >100 flights. As a Mechanical Engineer, Design (Starship Components), you will leverage your knowledge and creativity to develop novel solutions, own the relationship between vehicle hardware/systems teams and manufacturing, and lead projects through analysis, development testing, and mechanical design. You will contribute to vehicle architecture trades and lead design and flight readiness for Starship.
Responsibilities
Develop innovative, manufacturable flow control devices (valves, regulators, pumps, solenoids) and mechanisms (flap/fin actuators, destruct charges) across Starship and Super Heavy stage systems Question requirements, simplify/optimize processes, accelerate and automate component deliveries Act as the chief engineer, collaborating with stage, avionics, and flight safety teams to arrive at the simplest vehicle solution Inform system-level architecture with component capabilities and vulnerabilities to minimize payload cost to orbit Assemble design criteria, select architecture, size components for proper force margins, perform structural analysis, generate detailed part drawings, conduct qualification testing, present design reviews, and monitor hardware performance during vehicle operations Aim for zero in-flight anomalies, reduce component-caused delays, and lead root-cause investigations in factory and on the vehicle with corrective actions 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 all disciplines and levels 1+ years of professional experience in manufacturing, testing, design, or machining of mechanical systems Hands-on experience from industry or collegiate 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 engineering datasets to extract trends or failure modes Understanding of electro-mechanical devices, gear trains, actuators, motors, valves, pumps, regulators, filters, and explosives Proficient in drawings (GD&T), CNC operation/programming, CNC probing, automated part feeding/catching, and inspection methods Experience in ANSYS or impact/explosion analysis (LSDYNA, BlastX, CHEETAH, Hydrocode) Willingness to obtain ATF explosives clearance or handle high-explosive devices Experience in SQL or Python software development Additional Requirements
Travel to vendors and SpaceX sites as needed Able to work flexible hours and occasional weekend support as needed Compensation and Benefits
Pay range: Level I: $95,000 - $115,000/year; Level II: $110,000 - $130,000/year Your level and base salary are determined on a case-by-case basis based on job-related knowledge, education, and experience Base salary is part of a total rewards package including stock options, bonuses, and potential Employee Stock Purchase Plan Comprehensive medical, vision, and dental coverage; 401(k); disability, life insurance; paid parental leave; 3 weeks paid vacation; 10+ paid holidays; paid sick leave as per company policy ITAR Requirements
To conform to U.S. Government export regulations, applicants must be a U.S. citizen or national, a lawful permanent resident, a Refugee, or an Asylee, or eligible to obtain required authorizations. Learn more about ITAR here. SpaceX is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Employment is based on merit and qualifications and not on race, color, religion, gender, national origin/ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, or any other protected status. Applicants requiring reasonable accommodation for the application/interview process should contact EEOCompliance@spacex.com.
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