SpaceX Logo

SpaceX

Propulsion Fluids Analyst, Raptor Engine Systems

Posted 8 Days Ago
Be an Early Applicant
In-Office
Hawthorne, CA
95K-130K
Junior
In-Office
Hawthorne, CA
95K-130K
Junior
Analyze fluids, perform CFD and thermal analysis, validate models, assist in engine component design, and improve integrated system models.
The summary above was generated by AI

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.

PROPULSION FLUIDS ANALYST, RAPTOR ENGINE SYSTEMS 

RESPONSIBILITIES:

  • Work with propulsion engineers on various engine development programs, performing fluids, CFD, and thermal analysis to drive design decisions and provide verification that reliability and performance requirements are met
  • Proactively anticipate and drive necessary analyses throughout engine component design cycles.
  • Take an extremely practical, hands-on approach to model validation/verification, ensuring that model predictions are tied firmly to reality and test data
  • Assist in the organization and improvement of integrated system models
  • Involvement with development and testing of flight hardware

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:

  • Bachelor’s degree in an engineering discipline
  • 1+ years of professional experience in fluids, CFD, and thermal analysis

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:

  • Master’s degree in an engineering discipline
  • Experience with setup, execution, and post-processing using commercially available CFD programs (geometry, mesh generation, and model selection)
  • Running steady-state and transient CFD simulations using ideal and real-fluid equations of state
  • Ability to create watertight parasolids for CFD using Siemens NX
  • Familiar with CFD tools: StarCCM+, ANSYS CFX
  • Experience with conjugate heat transfer simulations
  • Able to identify hand-calcs to help validate or improve confidence in higher fidelity models
  • Strong fundamentals of compressible and incompressible fluid mechanics, and common fluids hand-calculations
  • Experience with waterhammer and transient fluids modeling (using SINDA/FLUINT or other)
  • Experience with thermal and heat transfer modeling (using ANSYS or other)
  • Strong fundamental understanding of engine cycles used in liquid bipropellant rocket engines
  • Understanding of injector types used in liquid bipropellant rocket engines
  • Proficient in MATLAB or Python to automate or script tasks, and to post process data
  • Ability to debug simulations and programs without having to involve customer technical support
  • Previous experience in the aerospace industry
  • Familiar with common industry and NASA standards
  • Excellent oral and written communication skills
  • Able to deliver against an aggressive schedule
  • Eager to participate in the high stress, but high impact environment that is SpaceX

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

  • Willing to work extended hours and weekends as needed

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS:

Pay range:

Propulsion Engineer/Level I: $95,000.00 - $115,000.00/per year

Propulsion Engineer/Level II: $110,000.00 - $130,000.00/per year

Your actual level and base salary will be determined on a case-by-case basis and may vary based on the following considerations: job-related knowledge and 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, in the form of company stock, stock options, or long-term cash awards, as well as potential discretionary bonuses and the ability to purchase additional stock at a discount through an Employee Stock Purchase Plan. You will also receive access to comprehensive medical, vision, and dental coverage, access to a 401(k) retirement plan, short and long-term disability insurance, life insurance, paid parental leave, and various other discounts and perks. You may also accrue 3 weeks of paid vacation and will be eligible for 10 or more paid holidays per year. Employees accrue paid sick leave pursuant to Company policy which satisfies or exceeds the accrual, carryover, and use requirements of the law.

ITAR REQUIREMENTS:

  • To conform to U.S. Government export regulations, applicant must be a (i) U.S. citizen or national, (ii) U.S. lawful, permanent resident (aka green card holder), (iii) Refugee under 8 U.S.C. § 1157, or (iv) Asylee under 8 U.S.C. § 1158, or be eligible to obtain the 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/ethnicity, 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 [email protected]

Top Skills

Ansys
Cfd
Matlab
Python
Siemens Nx
Sinda/Fluint
Starccm+

SpaceX Hawthorne, California, USA Office

1 Rocket Road, Hawthorne, CA, United States, 90250

Similar Jobs

8 Days Ago
In-Office
Hawthorne, CA, USA
125K-175K
Senior level
125K-175K
Senior level
Aerospace • Other
Perform fluids, CFD, and thermal analysis for engine design, validate models, and improve system models for propulsion engineer projects.
Top Skills: AnsysCfdMatlabPythonStarccm+
23 Minutes Ago
In-Office
San Francisco, CA, USA
205K-320K
Senior level
205K-320K
Senior level
Artificial Intelligence • Fintech • Payments • Financial Services • Generative AI
Lead a high-impact team developing stablecoin infrastructure, oversee secure systems, manage transactions, and integrate solutions into existing systems.
Top Skills: BlockchainC#C++Digital Asset CustodyFxJavaKotlinPaymentsPythonRust
23 Minutes Ago
Hybrid
Los Angeles, CA, USA
104K-130K Annually
Senior level
104K-130K Annually
Senior level
Digital Media • eCommerce • Gaming • Mobile • News + Entertainment
The Senior Post Production Supervisor will lead the post-production team, manage workflows and asset delivery for global marketing campaigns, ensuring quality and collaboration across teams.
Top Skills: Adobe PremiereAfter EffectsDavinci Resolve

What you need to know about the Los Angeles Tech Scene

Los Angeles is a global leader in entertainment, so it’s no surprise that many of the biggest players in streaming, digital media and game development call the city home. But the city boasts plenty of non-entertainment innovation as well, with tech companies spanning verticals like AI, fintech, e-commerce and biotech. With major universities like Caltech, UCLA, USC and the nearby UC Irvine, the city has a steady supply of top-flight tech and engineering talent — not counting the graduates flocking to Los Angeles from across the world to enjoy its beaches, culture and year-round temperate climate.

Key Facts About Los Angeles Tech

  • Number of Tech Workers: 375,800; 5.5% of overall workforce (2024 CompTIA survey)
  • Major Tech Employers: Snap, Netflix, SpaceX, Disney, Google
  • Key Industries: Artificial intelligence, adtech, media, software, game development
  • Funding Landscape: $11.6 billion in venture capital funding in 2024 (Pitchbook)
  • Notable Investors: Strong Ventures, Fifth Wall, Upfront Ventures, Mucker Capital, Kittyhawk Ventures
  • Research Centers and Universities: California Institute of Technology, UCLA, University of Southern California, UC Irvine, Pepperdine, California Institute for Immunology and Immunotherapy, Center for Quantum Science and Engineering

Sign up now Access later

Create Free Account

Please log in or sign up to report this job.

Create Free Account