Propulsion Engineer (Falcon Flight Operations)

PROPULSION ENGINEER (FALCON FLIGHT OPERATIONS)

The Falcon Flight Operations team is dedicated to delivering Falcon and its payloads to orbit rapidly and reliably. The Propulsion Engineers on this team are responsible for ensuring flightworthiness of Falcon propulsion hardware and software over the life cycle of the vehicle, from initial build, through acceptance testing, and into flight (and re-flight) operations. Additionally, Propulsion Engineers are responsible for driving reliability-improving and rate-enabling initiatives to maintain the long-term success of Falcon as the most-flown, most-reliable launch vehicle in existence. Falcon hardware within the scope of this role consists of M1D engines, MVacD engines, and Stage 1 and Stage 2 systems (propellant measurement, management, and feed systems, tank pressurization systems, attitude control systems, pneumatic systems, hydraulic systems, primary and secondary structures, and thermal protection systems).

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Develop a comprehensive understanding of the Falcon propulsion systems
• Make critical decisions for the processing of Merlin and Stage Propulsion hardware during build, test, integration, and flight to ensure 100% mission success
• Define, implement, and validate acceptance and operational requirements to promote reliability, rapid reusability, and streamlined processing of Falcon rockets
• Take on primary responsibility for the success of Merlin engines or Stage Propulsion hardware for a given test or launch campaign
• Support test and launch operations across all SpaceX facilities, including live on-console support from mission control
• Perform post-test and post-flight data reviews, and provide technical recommendations to the Vehicle Maintenance team to enable rapid, reliable reuse of hardware
• Solve undefined and multi-disciplinary problems, interfacing with engineering and technician teams from all disciplines across SpaceX (e.g., production, test, launch, avionics, structures, guidance, navigation & control, thermal and fluid analysis, flight and ground software, mission management, flight reliability, etc.)
• Work closely with commercial and government customers to drive down technical debt, mitigate flight risks, and ensure maximum hardware and software reliability
• Lead propulsion anomaly investigations and drive these investigations to resolution
• Develop new automation capabilities to enable extreme launch cadence – leverage coding for rapid test and flight data analysis, flight software verification, and other engineering processes, and eliminate recurring work
• Optimize recurring test and mission tasks to enable an increasingly demanding launch manifest

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s degree in an engineering discipline
• 1+ years of experience working with engines or fluid systems

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:

• Master’s degree in mechanical engineering or aeronautical/astronautical engineering
• Analytical/scientific programming experience
• Experience in collaborative coding within version-controlled repositories (e.g., Git)
• Experience with Python
• Strong foundation in fluid mechanics (compressible and incompressible), thermodynamics, combustion, structures/fracture mechanics, and materials
• Familiarity with liquid propellant rocket engine cycles, launch vehicle fluid systems, and components
• Excellent communication skills (both written and verbal) and ability to succinctly present recommendations to stakeholders, customers, and management
• Hands-on hardware experience performing fabrication, assembly, and/or testing (can be in a professional, academic, entrepreneurial, or hobby setting)
• Experience testing liquid propellant rockets and/or working with pneumatic systems, hydraulic systems, cryogenic propellants, pressure control devices, valves, tubes/pipes, diffusers, and fittings
• Experience with pad, launch, or flight operations for an integrated vehicle
• Demonstrated track record of success in a rapidly growing, changing, and highly technical environment — ability to act and execute in a scrappy, entrepreneurial manner against tight timelines
• Profound sense of personal ownership and extreme accountability
• Ability to think clearly and communicate concisely in high-pressure, time-critical situations
• Strong critical thinking and problem-solving skills, exceptional attention to detail
• Great attitude in the face of extreme challenges

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Ability to travel in support of testing, launching, and maintenance of flight hardware (up to 10%)
• Ability to pass Air Force background checks for Cape Canaveral and Vandenberg
• Ability to work extended hours and weekends when production, test, or launch timelines require it

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS:

Pay Range:
Level 1: $100,000.00 - $130,000.00
Level 2: $115,000.00 - $160,000.00

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 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.