Sr. Propulsion Engineer (Raptor Development Operations)

SR. PROPULSION ENGINEER (RAPTOR DEVELOPMENT OPERATIONS) 

The Propulsion Engineer role is responsible for owning the development, production, and operation of the engine ignition system, transients sequences, and associated combustion devices and engine systems hardware needed to successfully start and shut down the engine in all phases of flight. You will drive all necessary work to effectively and safely develop, operate, and fly (and re-fly) your hardware and sequences on the most advanced, full-flow staged combustion engine boosting the largest launch vehicle in history.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Own design, analysis, development, sequencing, and flight operations tasks for Raptor ignition and transients
• Own the success of hardware design and requirements, delivery of production at target throughput rates, and reliable engine operation from startup to mainstage to shutdown
• Coordinate with peers through informal leadership and self-directed organization to achieve goals. Assign clear responsibilities and hold teammates accountable for execution
• Collaborate with engineers and technicians from all disciplines, including production, development test, launch, vehicle, GNC (guidance, navigation & control), flight and ground software, flight reliability, and more to develop hardware and transient sequences that meet high-level engine and vehicle objectives.
• Identify, organize, and drive hardware design and sequence changes related to departmental priorities such as simplification, reliability, performance, and optimizing for success of the vehicle architecture
• Establish requirements for hardware and engine transients and work with other responsible engineers to ensure interfacing systems meet requirements and vice versa
• Develop test requirements and participate in test operations to develop hardware and processes to accept engines for flight
• Develop test plans for development objectives, review data, and provide hardware or sequence troubleshooting recommendations. Communicate results of the tests to impacted systems.
• Perform data review of test and flight operations, analyze trends from engine test history, provide operational limits, and make critical go/no-go calls
• Enable high launch cadence through automated analysis of test and flight data via coding
• Develop and understand fluid and combustion transients as related to engine operation through testing and modeling
• Develop an understanding of the integrated engine system and how hardware and sequence changes propagate to the vehicle and to the mission

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s degree in an engineering discipline
• 1+ years experience with engineering programming and data review tools (e.g. Python, MATLAB, Winplot)
• 5+ years experience working with rocket or jet engine hardware or high-pressure fluid systems in a design, manufacturing, analysis, or test capacity

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:

• Master’s degree in mechanical engineering or aeronautical/astronautical engineering
• 10+ years of professional or academic experience working with jet or rocket engines or other high-pressure fluid systems
• Demonstrable proficiency in the basic principles of compressible and incompressible flow, thermodynamics, thermochemistry, mechanics, fluid and combustion transients, and materials
• Experience analyzing engine transients behavior or designing engine startup and shutdown sequences
• Experience analyzing test data and making technical decisions and change recommendations based on findings.
• Demonstrated effective communication and collaboration across multiple groups
• Analytical/scientific programming experience (Python, MATLAB, C/C++, Excel, etc.)
• Experience with systems-level engine modeling (lumped parameter fluids modeling, ROCETS, etc.)
• Experience designing for manufacturing and implementing designs into manufacturing process, including troubleshooting and iterating designs based on downstream feedback
• Demonstrated ability to act with good engineering judgment and execute high quality work in a technical environment on tight timelines and aggressive schedules
• Demonstrated ability to provide and concisely communicate technically-sound information in high-pressure situations
• Demonstrated ability to organize and motivate a team of peers to achieve program goals
• Self-motivated to solve complex problems
• Great attitude in the face of extreme challenges

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Willing to travel in support of test and launch operations
• Willingness to work extended hours and weekends as needed

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS:

Pay range:

Propulsion Engineer/Senior: $125,000.00 - $175,000.00/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.