Electric Propulsion Engineer, Mechanical - (Starlink)

SpaceX•Redmond, WA

About The Position

As a mechanical engineer on SpaceX’s Starlink electric propulsion team, you will own the end-to-end design, analysis, testing, building, and on-orbit life cycle of propulsion hardware. You will oversee critical satellite propulsion systems and work cross-functionally with plasma physics experts, avionics engineers, electrical engineers, and other partner teams to develop thrusters, cathodes, regulators, and fluid feed systems. The role covers hardware from conceptual design through high-volume production and on-orbit operation. It includes solving mechanical, thermal, magnetic, and fluid-system problems; validating designs through testing; and driving product delivery, quality, and performance across the full lifecycle.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in an engineering discipline.
Experience with CAD and FEA software packages.
At least 1 year of industry experience; internships and co-ops may count.
Ability to work long hours and weekends as necessary to support mission-critical milestones.
Must meet U.S. Government export-control eligibility requirements: U.S. citizen or national, U.S. lawful permanent resident, refugee, asylee, or eligible to obtain required authorizations.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree in engineering or a related technical discipline.
At least 3 years of professional experience in mechanical design and analysis.
Hands-on experience designing, building, and testing electric or chemical propulsion systems in an industry or laboratory environment.
Experience owning the full product lifecycle in a high-rate production environment, including design trades, CAD design, prototyping, manufacturing, testing, qualification, production, and reuse.
Experience with fluid dynamics, finite-element, or related computer-based modeling.
Experience with pressurized components such as valves, regulators, tubes, and pipes.
Experience with structural and electromagnetic finite-element analysis.
At least 1 year of experience with GD&T concepts.
Experience with Python and MATLAB; familiarity with SQL and Metabase.
Experience leading operation-critical mechanical design of parts, including structures and fluid calculations and design considerations.
Experience with manufacturing processes such as CNC milling or turning, welding, castings, and additive manufacturing, and proficiency in Design for Manufacturing/Assembly (DFMA) fundamentals.

Responsibilities

Solve complex mechanical, thermal, magnetic, and fluid-system problems involving space-grade satellite hardware.
Own propulsion hardware from conceptual design through high-volume production and on-orbit operation.
Work with partner domains including thermal, materials, electrical, mechanical, software, and GNC groups.
Develop design criteria, collaborate on requirements, and drive system-level optimization.
Iterate rapidly on designs and analyses to inform system trades and product direction.
Drive design for manufacturing, reducing piece-part and process counts, error-proofing fabrication and integration, and maintaining consistent performance and production metrics.
Establish an efficient product lifecycle from the supply chain through final integration, balancing cost, complexity, and quality, and work with partner teams to develop an in-house production line.
Perform vacuum chamber tests, performance characterization, and environmental tests to validate analyses and demonstrate compliance with design criteria.
Own product delivery from conception, design, and analysis through assembly, launch, and on-orbit performance.
Conduct root-cause investigations to understand failures and disposition hardware non-conformances.
Take ownership of product outcomes throughout development and production.

Benefits

Potential eligibility for company stock or long-term cash awards.
Potential discretionary bonuses.
Employee Stock Purchase Plan with the ability to purchase additional stock at a discount.
Comprehensive medical coverage.
Vision insurance.
Dental insurance.
401(k) retirement plan.
Short- and long-term disability insurance.
Life insurance.
Paid parental leave.
Various other discounts and perks.
Up to 3 weeks of accrued paid vacation.
10 or more paid holidays per year.
Washington State paid sick time in compliance with state and federal law.
Company shuttles Monday through Friday from select Seattle locations to the SpaceX Redmond office.