SPACE EXPLORATION TECHNOLOGIES CORP
Summer 2026 Graduate Engineer
SPACE EXPLORATION TECHNOLOGIES CORP, Cape Canaveral, Florida, United States, 32920
Overview
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. SUMMER 2026 GRADUATE ENGINEER As a Graduate Engineer, you will be responsible for working on creative solutions to real aerospace challenges. You will be given as much responsibility as our full-time engineers and will be an integral part of the team. If you’ve demonstrated a commitment to academic success and motivation to apply your knowledge outside of the classroom, you are a great candidate! Graduate Engineer roles are available with a variety of engineering teams across the company including design, manufacturing and operations at Bastrop, TX; Cape Canaveral, FL; Hawthorne (Los Angeles), CA; Irvine, CA; McGregor (Waco), TX; Redmond, WA; Starbase, TX and Vandenberg, CA.
Basic Qualifications
6+ months of applied engineering experience (internship, laboratory, and personal/team project experience is applicable) Enrolled in a graduate program by the start of employment and holds a bachelor’s degree in engineering, physics or math discipline Applicant for this graduate engineer position must be a (i) U.S. citizen or national, (ii) U.S. lawful permanent resident (e.g., green card holder), (iii) Refugee under 8 U.S.C. § 1157, or (iv) Asylee under 8 U.S.C. § 1158.
Preferred Skills and Experience
GPA of 3.5 or above 9+ months experience of application of technical skills outside of the classroom (examples: laboratory, research, extracurricular project teams, volunteering, personal projects or prior internship/work experience) Ability to work well in an integrated collaborative team environment, including frequent interactions with technicians, other engineers, and managers Ability to work effectively in a dynamic professional setting with changing needs and requirements
Additional Requirements
Able to work full time, onsite for a minimum of 12 consecutive weeks beginning in May or June 2026 Able to provide own transportation for positions at Bastrop, Cape Canaveral, McGregor and Vandenberg locations
Compensation and Benefits
Pay range: Graduate Engineer/Completed Bachelor's: $83,200.00 per year Graduate Engineer/Completed Master's: $91,000.00 per year Graduate Engineer/Completed PhD: $100,100.00 per year Your salary will be determined by academic level. Pay is just one part of your total rewards package at SpaceX. You may also be eligible for a stipend to subsidize relocation costs, as well as access to our comprehensive medical coverage and a 401(k) retirement plan. Students joining SpaceX through our graduate engineer program will receive opportunities for presentations from company leaders, social and networking events, as well as professional and personal development trainings. Graduate Engineers are eligible for paid company holidays with SpaceX offering 10 or more paid holidays per year.
Legal and Compliance
To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including ITAR, you must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident, protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State. Learn more about ITAR here.
SpaceX is an Equal Opportunity Employer; employment is governed on the basis of merit, competence and qualifications and will not be influenced 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 requesting reasonable accommodation during the application/interview process should notify Human Resources.
Program Descriptions DRAGON : Dragon is the most advanced human-rated spacecraft in the world. This program includes roles in: Analysis, Avionics, Build Engineering, Integration & Test Engineering, Life Support Systems, Manufacturing Engineering, Materials Engineering, Propulsion Engineering, Structures Design & Engineering, Supply Chain Engineering and more.
FALCON : Falcon program develops reusable launch vehicles (Falcon 9 and Falcon Heavy). This program includes roles in: Analysis, Avionics, Build Engineering, Components Engineering, Integration & Test Engineering, Launch Site Operations & Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Materials Engineering, Propulsion Engineering, Recovery Engineering, Structures Design & Engineering, Supply Chain Engineering and more.
STARLINK : Starlink deploys satellites and related systems. This program includes roles in: Analysis, Avionics, Components Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Integration & Test Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Materials Engineering, Operations Engineering, Structures Design & Engineering, Supply Chain Engineering and more.
STARSHIELD : Starshield supports government use with a focus on earth observation, communications, and hosted payloads. Roles include: Avionics, Build Engineering, Components Engineering, Integration & Test Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Materials Engineering, Mechanical Design & Engineering, Structures Engineering, and more.
STARSHIP : Starship is a fully reusable transportation system for Earth orbit, Moon, Mars and beyond. Roles include: Analysis, Avionics, Automation & Controls, Build Engineering, Civil Engineering, Components Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Launch Site Operations & Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Materials Engineering, Propulsion Engineering, Structures Design & Engineering, Supply Chain Engineering, Test Engineering and more.
Additional ITAR Note
To conform to ITAR, applicant must be a U.S. citizen, permanent resident, protected individual, or eligible to obtain required authorizations. Learn more about ITAR here.
Equality and Compliance
SpaceX is an Equal Opportunity Employer; for veterans and individuals with disabilities, SpaceX provides an Affirmative Action Plan and reasonable accommodation upon request. If you require accommodation or wish to view the plan, contact EEOCompliance@spacex.com.
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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. SUMMER 2026 GRADUATE ENGINEER As a Graduate Engineer, you will be responsible for working on creative solutions to real aerospace challenges. You will be given as much responsibility as our full-time engineers and will be an integral part of the team. If you’ve demonstrated a commitment to academic success and motivation to apply your knowledge outside of the classroom, you are a great candidate! Graduate Engineer roles are available with a variety of engineering teams across the company including design, manufacturing and operations at Bastrop, TX; Cape Canaveral, FL; Hawthorne (Los Angeles), CA; Irvine, CA; McGregor (Waco), TX; Redmond, WA; Starbase, TX and Vandenberg, CA.
Basic Qualifications
6+ months of applied engineering experience (internship, laboratory, and personal/team project experience is applicable) Enrolled in a graduate program by the start of employment and holds a bachelor’s degree in engineering, physics or math discipline Applicant for this graduate engineer position must be a (i) U.S. citizen or national, (ii) U.S. lawful permanent resident (e.g., green card holder), (iii) Refugee under 8 U.S.C. § 1157, or (iv) Asylee under 8 U.S.C. § 1158.
Preferred Skills and Experience
GPA of 3.5 or above 9+ months experience of application of technical skills outside of the classroom (examples: laboratory, research, extracurricular project teams, volunteering, personal projects or prior internship/work experience) Ability to work well in an integrated collaborative team environment, including frequent interactions with technicians, other engineers, and managers Ability to work effectively in a dynamic professional setting with changing needs and requirements
Additional Requirements
Able to work full time, onsite for a minimum of 12 consecutive weeks beginning in May or June 2026 Able to provide own transportation for positions at Bastrop, Cape Canaveral, McGregor and Vandenberg locations
Compensation and Benefits
Pay range: Graduate Engineer/Completed Bachelor's: $83,200.00 per year Graduate Engineer/Completed Master's: $91,000.00 per year Graduate Engineer/Completed PhD: $100,100.00 per year Your salary will be determined by academic level. Pay is just one part of your total rewards package at SpaceX. You may also be eligible for a stipend to subsidize relocation costs, as well as access to our comprehensive medical coverage and a 401(k) retirement plan. Students joining SpaceX through our graduate engineer program will receive opportunities for presentations from company leaders, social and networking events, as well as professional and personal development trainings. Graduate Engineers are eligible for paid company holidays with SpaceX offering 10 or more paid holidays per year.
Legal and Compliance
To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including ITAR, you must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident, protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State. Learn more about ITAR here.
SpaceX is an Equal Opportunity Employer; employment is governed on the basis of merit, competence and qualifications and will not be influenced 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 requesting reasonable accommodation during the application/interview process should notify Human Resources.
Program Descriptions DRAGON : Dragon is the most advanced human-rated spacecraft in the world. This program includes roles in: Analysis, Avionics, Build Engineering, Integration & Test Engineering, Life Support Systems, Manufacturing Engineering, Materials Engineering, Propulsion Engineering, Structures Design & Engineering, Supply Chain Engineering and more.
FALCON : Falcon program develops reusable launch vehicles (Falcon 9 and Falcon Heavy). This program includes roles in: Analysis, Avionics, Build Engineering, Components Engineering, Integration & Test Engineering, Launch Site Operations & Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Materials Engineering, Propulsion Engineering, Recovery Engineering, Structures Design & Engineering, Supply Chain Engineering and more.
STARLINK : Starlink deploys satellites and related systems. This program includes roles in: Analysis, Avionics, Components Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Integration & Test Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Materials Engineering, Operations Engineering, Structures Design & Engineering, Supply Chain Engineering and more.
STARSHIELD : Starshield supports government use with a focus on earth observation, communications, and hosted payloads. Roles include: Avionics, Build Engineering, Components Engineering, Integration & Test Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Materials Engineering, Mechanical Design & Engineering, Structures Engineering, and more.
STARSHIP : Starship is a fully reusable transportation system for Earth orbit, Moon, Mars and beyond. Roles include: Analysis, Avionics, Automation & Controls, Build Engineering, Civil Engineering, Components Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Launch Site Operations & Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Materials Engineering, Propulsion Engineering, Structures Design & Engineering, Supply Chain Engineering, Test Engineering and more.
Additional ITAR Note
To conform to ITAR, applicant must be a U.S. citizen, permanent resident, protected individual, or eligible to obtain required authorizations. Learn more about ITAR here.
Equality and Compliance
SpaceX is an Equal Opportunity Employer; for veterans and individuals with disabilities, SpaceX provides an Affirmative Action Plan and reasonable accommodation upon request. If you require accommodation or wish to view the plan, contact EEOCompliance@spacex.com.
#J-18808-Ljbffr