SPACE EXPLORATION TECHNOLOGIES CORP
Mechanical Engineer, Flight Termination (Starship Components)
SPACE EXPLORATION TECHNOLOGIES CORP, Hawthorne, California, United States, 90250
Overview
Mechanical Engineer, Flight Termination System (Starship Components) — Hawthorne, CA 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. The Starship Components team develops the most advanced spacecraft and launch vehicle components in the world. Our engineers are hardware experts for valves, regulators, electromechanical actuators, pumps, and explosives that drive critical capabilities on the Starship/Super Heavy vehicle — from propellant flow and ullage gas thrusters to flap/fin actuators and flight termination. We design, machine, build, and test components to operate in extreme environments, with temperatures ranging from 80 to 800K, pressures beyond 800 bar, and life capability of >100 flights. As a Mechanical Engineer, Flight Termination System (Starship Components), you will use your knowledge, experience, and creativity to develop novel solutions at the cutting edge of space technology. Following a successful interview process, you will be offered a specialized role within the product life cycle (manufacturing, design, testing, machining), but as the extreme owner of your hardware, you will need to flex across these 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, and integrated detonators) for the Starship and Super Heavy stage Flight Termination System Question requirements, delete parts and processes, simplify/optimize, accelerate, and automate component deliveries Validate reliability of hardware and designs with rigorous testing in shock, vibration, thermal cycling, climatic and live fire testing. Design experiments to ground analysis, develop fixturing, and create technical reports based on results Act as the chief engineer, collaborating with stage, avionics, and flight safety teams to arrive at the simplest solution for the vehicle. Inform system-level architecture, with component capabilities and vulnerabilities in mind, to minimize cost of payload to orbit Partner with manufacturing, production, testing, and supply chain to achieve SpaceX’s highest-yet component build rate, striving for high factory yield and automotive volume/cost. Accelerate component delivery to >1 full stacked launch vehicle per month Generate and maintain detailed drawings, component specifications, analysis and risk assessments Spearhead root cause investigations that arise in development, production, test, integration and launch, implement corrective actions to prevent repeat failures Set the standard for highly reliable component design and qualification testing to strict regulatory standards Assemble design criteria, select an architecture, size the component for proper force margin, perform structural analysis, generate detailed part drawings, perform qualification testing, present design reviews, and monitor hardware performance in vehicle operations Target zero in-flight anomalies of your hardware and reduce component-caused delays in production and launch. Spearhead component root cause investigations in the factory and on the vehicle, and implement fixes to prevent repeat failures Qualifications
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 the ability to effectively communicate technical concepts across all disciplines and all levels in the organization (technicians, engineers, exec team) 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 (e.g. pressure transducers, thermocouples, solenoid valves, accelerometers, etc.) Strong foundation in solid mechanics, fluid dynamics, electrical circuits, manufacturing processes, dynamics and controls, heat transfer, and thermodynamics Ability to collect, process, and review complex engineering datasets in tabular or graphical forms to extract relevant 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 (lathes and mills), 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 software development in SQL or Python ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS: Travel to vendors and other 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 per year; Level II: $110,000 - $130,000 per year. Your actual level and base salary will be determined on a case-by-case basis and may vary based on job-related knowledge and skills, education, and experience. Base salary is one part of the total rewards package, which may include stock equity, bonuses, 401(k), health benefits, and other perks. You may also accrue paid vacation and holidays and may have access to other benefits. To conform to U.S. Government export regulations, applicant must be a U.S. citizen or national, a U.S. lawful permanent resident, a refugee under 8 U.S.C. § 1157, or an asylee under 8 U.S.C. § 1158, or be eligible to obtain required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State. ITAR compliance information is available through SpaceX. SpaceX is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Reasonable accommodation is available to applicants with disabilities. For more information, contact EEOCompliance@spacex.com.
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Mechanical Engineer, Flight Termination System (Starship Components) — Hawthorne, CA 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. The Starship Components team develops the most advanced spacecraft and launch vehicle components in the world. Our engineers are hardware experts for valves, regulators, electromechanical actuators, pumps, and explosives that drive critical capabilities on the Starship/Super Heavy vehicle — from propellant flow and ullage gas thrusters to flap/fin actuators and flight termination. We design, machine, build, and test components to operate in extreme environments, with temperatures ranging from 80 to 800K, pressures beyond 800 bar, and life capability of >100 flights. As a Mechanical Engineer, Flight Termination System (Starship Components), you will use your knowledge, experience, and creativity to develop novel solutions at the cutting edge of space technology. Following a successful interview process, you will be offered a specialized role within the product life cycle (manufacturing, design, testing, machining), but as the extreme owner of your hardware, you will need to flex across these 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, and integrated detonators) for the Starship and Super Heavy stage Flight Termination System Question requirements, delete parts and processes, simplify/optimize, accelerate, and automate component deliveries Validate reliability of hardware and designs with rigorous testing in shock, vibration, thermal cycling, climatic and live fire testing. Design experiments to ground analysis, develop fixturing, and create technical reports based on results Act as the chief engineer, collaborating with stage, avionics, and flight safety teams to arrive at the simplest solution for the vehicle. Inform system-level architecture, with component capabilities and vulnerabilities in mind, to minimize cost of payload to orbit Partner with manufacturing, production, testing, and supply chain to achieve SpaceX’s highest-yet component build rate, striving for high factory yield and automotive volume/cost. Accelerate component delivery to >1 full stacked launch vehicle per month Generate and maintain detailed drawings, component specifications, analysis and risk assessments Spearhead root cause investigations that arise in development, production, test, integration and launch, implement corrective actions to prevent repeat failures Set the standard for highly reliable component design and qualification testing to strict regulatory standards Assemble design criteria, select an architecture, size the component for proper force margin, perform structural analysis, generate detailed part drawings, perform qualification testing, present design reviews, and monitor hardware performance in vehicle operations Target zero in-flight anomalies of your hardware and reduce component-caused delays in production and launch. Spearhead component root cause investigations in the factory and on the vehicle, and implement fixes to prevent repeat failures Qualifications
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 the ability to effectively communicate technical concepts across all disciplines and all levels in the organization (technicians, engineers, exec team) 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 (e.g. pressure transducers, thermocouples, solenoid valves, accelerometers, etc.) Strong foundation in solid mechanics, fluid dynamics, electrical circuits, manufacturing processes, dynamics and controls, heat transfer, and thermodynamics Ability to collect, process, and review complex engineering datasets in tabular or graphical forms to extract relevant 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 (lathes and mills), 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 software development in SQL or Python ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS: Travel to vendors and other 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 per year; Level II: $110,000 - $130,000 per year. Your actual level and base salary will be determined on a case-by-case basis and may vary based on job-related knowledge and skills, education, and experience. Base salary is one part of the total rewards package, which may include stock equity, bonuses, 401(k), health benefits, and other perks. You may also accrue paid vacation and holidays and may have access to other benefits. To conform to U.S. Government export regulations, applicant must be a U.S. citizen or national, a U.S. lawful permanent resident, a refugee under 8 U.S.C. § 1157, or an asylee under 8 U.S.C. § 1158, or be eligible to obtain required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State. ITAR compliance information is available through SpaceX. SpaceX is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Reasonable accommodation is available to applicants with disabilities. For more information, contact EEOCompliance@spacex.com.
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