SPACE EXPLORATION TECHNOLOGIES CORP
Sr. Software Engineer, Propulsion Simulation & Data Analysis (Raptor)
SPACE EXPLORATION TECHNOLOGIES CORP, Hawthorne, California, United States, 90250
Sr. Software Engineer, Propulsion Simulation & Data Analysis (Raptor)
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.
Overview The Raptor Systems Modeling and Control Team is responsible for the power-balance, optimal control, and calibration of one of the world’s most prolific and advanced rocket engines.
The team also aids in root cause analysis for anomaly resolution, providing data and model-driven insights supporting operations and components teams in high-consequence decision-making.
Our models and analysis are relied upon day‑in‑and‑day‑out to evaluate the safety and optimality of flight trajectories.
With hundreds of engines, hundreds of simulations, and hundreds of hot fire operations, the work guides both design and operation on missions and tests.
In this role you will work with brilliant engineers to develop rapid, seamless processes to translate engine test data into accurate predictions of future performance for the most reliable and cutting‑edge rocket engines in the world.
Responsibilities
Maintain and improve the accuracy of the lumped-parameter thermofluid physics model of the Raptor engine
Conduct engine cycle analysis to steer future-state engine design and thrust upgrades
Conduct anomaly resolution utilizing the engine model and sparse instrumentation
Develop a detailed understanding of the physics underlying rocket engine performance, sources of performance variability, and related modeling and measurement techniques
Maintain and improve the accuracy of the representation of the Raptor engine used in integrated vehicle simulations, control software validation and flight Monte Carlo analysis
Develop tools and portals to understand the sources of engine performance variability and enact improvements to manufacturing and engine hardware design
Automate processes and software tools that are used to predict test performance and generate flight performance predictions for GNC (guidance, navigation, and control) and flight software
Collaborate with engineers across the company to extend and improve interoperability among existing tools as well as to standardize hardware and software practices, tools, and methods to maximize functionality and value while minimizing future overhead and obsolescence
Basic Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree in computer science, engineering, or a STEM discipline
5+ years of professional experience writing computer software
2+ years of professional experience with physics-based simulations of real dynamic systems
Preferred Skills and Experience
Dynamical systems modeling
Experience with lumped parameter modeling of physical systems
Experience implementing physics-informed neural networks to solve real-world engineering problems
Data driven analysis of complex systems
Experience inferring root cause from sparse measurements
Demonstrable proficiency in the basic principles of compressible and incompressible flow, thermodynamics, thermochemistry, mechanics, and materials
Strong written and verbal communication
skills , ability to make presentations to team members and management
Experience building data pipelines providing sanitization, curation, visualization, exploration to high dimensional datasets
Experience working with or simulating combustion engines or fluid systems
Backend development: deliver well-tested, performant, and maintainable Python, C#/.NET, C++ or Java code
Experience with version control, continuous integration, Unix-like operating systems
Experience with control feedback loop design and implementation
Experience with numerical analysis techniques and signal processing in multiple domains
Compensation and Benefits Pay range: Senior: $160,000.00 – $220,000.00 per year. Your actual level and base salary will be determined on a case‑by‑case basis and may vary based on knowledge, 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, including company stock, stock options, or long-term cash awards, discretionary bonuses, and the ability to purchase additional stock at a discount through an Employee Stock Purchase Plan.
You will also receive comprehensive medical, vision, and dental coverage, access to a 401(k) plan, disability insurance, life insurance, paid parental leave, and other perks.
You may accrue 3 weeks of paid vacation and be eligible for 10 or more paid holidays per year.
Employees accrue paid sick leave pursuant to company policy.
To conform to U.S. Government export regulations, applicant must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident, refugee, or asylee, or eligible to obtain 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, 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 reach out to 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.
Overview The Raptor Systems Modeling and Control Team is responsible for the power-balance, optimal control, and calibration of one of the world’s most prolific and advanced rocket engines.
The team also aids in root cause analysis for anomaly resolution, providing data and model-driven insights supporting operations and components teams in high-consequence decision-making.
Our models and analysis are relied upon day‑in‑and‑day‑out to evaluate the safety and optimality of flight trajectories.
With hundreds of engines, hundreds of simulations, and hundreds of hot fire operations, the work guides both design and operation on missions and tests.
In this role you will work with brilliant engineers to develop rapid, seamless processes to translate engine test data into accurate predictions of future performance for the most reliable and cutting‑edge rocket engines in the world.
Responsibilities
Maintain and improve the accuracy of the lumped-parameter thermofluid physics model of the Raptor engine
Conduct engine cycle analysis to steer future-state engine design and thrust upgrades
Conduct anomaly resolution utilizing the engine model and sparse instrumentation
Develop a detailed understanding of the physics underlying rocket engine performance, sources of performance variability, and related modeling and measurement techniques
Maintain and improve the accuracy of the representation of the Raptor engine used in integrated vehicle simulations, control software validation and flight Monte Carlo analysis
Develop tools and portals to understand the sources of engine performance variability and enact improvements to manufacturing and engine hardware design
Automate processes and software tools that are used to predict test performance and generate flight performance predictions for GNC (guidance, navigation, and control) and flight software
Collaborate with engineers across the company to extend and improve interoperability among existing tools as well as to standardize hardware and software practices, tools, and methods to maximize functionality and value while minimizing future overhead and obsolescence
Basic Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree in computer science, engineering, or a STEM discipline
5+ years of professional experience writing computer software
2+ years of professional experience with physics-based simulations of real dynamic systems
Preferred Skills and Experience
Dynamical systems modeling
Experience with lumped parameter modeling of physical systems
Experience implementing physics-informed neural networks to solve real-world engineering problems
Data driven analysis of complex systems
Experience inferring root cause from sparse measurements
Demonstrable proficiency in the basic principles of compressible and incompressible flow, thermodynamics, thermochemistry, mechanics, and materials
Strong written and verbal communication
skills , ability to make presentations to team members and management
Experience building data pipelines providing sanitization, curation, visualization, exploration to high dimensional datasets
Experience working with or simulating combustion engines or fluid systems
Backend development: deliver well-tested, performant, and maintainable Python, C#/.NET, C++ or Java code
Experience with version control, continuous integration, Unix-like operating systems
Experience with control feedback loop design and implementation
Experience with numerical analysis techniques and signal processing in multiple domains
Compensation and Benefits Pay range: Senior: $160,000.00 – $220,000.00 per year. Your actual level and base salary will be determined on a case‑by‑case basis and may vary based on knowledge, 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, including company stock, stock options, or long-term cash awards, discretionary bonuses, and the ability to purchase additional stock at a discount through an Employee Stock Purchase Plan.
You will also receive comprehensive medical, vision, and dental coverage, access to a 401(k) plan, disability insurance, life insurance, paid parental leave, and other perks.
You may accrue 3 weeks of paid vacation and be eligible for 10 or more paid holidays per year.
Employees accrue paid sick leave pursuant to company policy.
To conform to U.S. Government export regulations, applicant must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident, refugee, or asylee, or eligible to obtain 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, 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 reach out to EEOCompliance@spacex.com.
#J-18808-Ljbffr