Launch Engineer, Spacecraft Integration (Starshield)
About The Position
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. This role supports Starshield satellite engineering teams by providing strong launch-site and upstream engineering support for Starshield satellite design, checkouts, integration, launch, and post-launch campaign follow-ups. The Launch Engineer will drive major project initiatives for the Starshield Program at the launch site, focusing on improvements in satellite integration processes, GSE asset management, satellite fueling, and satellite checkouts. The position involves active participation in design reviews, managing mission work instructions and planning, and completing vehicle-powered operational checkouts. Close collaboration with Starshield engineering staff, launch site engineering staff, technicians, and quality inspectors is essential. The role requires managing multiple priorities, tracking non-conformances, and driving them into actionable items and system improvements.
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree in an engineering discipline
- 1+ years of experience with multi-disciplinary system assemblies (past work experience, internships, team/personal projects with aerospace vehicles/payloads, automotive, aircraft, or marine assemblies qualify)
Nice To Haves
- Ability and willingness to obtain a Top Secret clearance
- Master's degree in an engineering discipline
- Hands-on experience with one or more of the following: launch vehicle or spacecraft integration; operations in 100,000 class or better clean rooms; test operations with high pressure pneumatics, hydraulics, and cryogenic fluid systems; data acquisition setups and field measurements using instrumentation such as multimeters, oscilloscopes and spectrum analyzers
- Ability and willingness to follow and enforce practices relating to security clearances and control of confidential or proprietary information
- Strong written and oral communication skills, a meticulous attention to detail, an emphasis on safety, cleanliness, adherence to corporate policies and standards, a great attitude, and the ability to work with a team
- Experience in writing test plans and test procedures
- Experience using python to work on test automation and analysis infrastructure
- Experience with SQL, Confluence, PowerBI, Grafana and able to design and generate useful and appropriate reports and metrics
- Experience using python, excel, and other engineering tools to create one-off engineering analyses
- Ability to work in a fast-paced, autonomously driven, and demanding start-up atmosphere
- Ability to work well with a wide range of people across multiple organizations, including mission management, customers, and vendors
- Professional experience testing and operating with or around hazardous systems (high pressure, high energy, hazardous gases/fluids, etc.)
Responsibilities
- Support Starshield satellite engineering teams to provide strong launch-site and upstream engineering support of Starshield satellite design, checkouts, integration, launch, and post-launch campaign follow-ups
- Drive major project initiatives for Starshield Program at the launch site, including Satellite Integration Process Improvements, GSE Asset Management Improvements, Satellite Fueling Improvements, Satellite Checkouts Improvements
- Actively participate in design reviews for responsible areas of oversight and project tasking
- Actively manage mission work instructions and planning for tasked ownership, including supporting work on issue tickets, change tickets, risk tickets, required redlines, or otherwise mission-critical preparedness items to be implemented
- Design, develop, own, and execute hardware, software, processes and procedures for the integration and checkout of Starshield satellites, and related ground support equipment part design, activation, evolution, and maintenance
- Complete vehicle-powered operational checkouts that interact with multiple EGSE/GSE systems, and actuate high pressure to safety-critical systems
- Closely collaborate with Starshield engineering staff, launch site engineering staff, and highly skilled technicians and quality inspectors daily
- Manage and track multiple priorities while maintaining a focus on common project goals
- Manage the driving of non-conformances into actionable items and system improvements reflected in work instructions
Benefits
- Comprehensive medical, vision, and dental coverage
- Access to a 401(k) retirement plan
- Short and long-term disability insurance
- Life insurance
- Paid parental leave
- Various other discounts and perks
- 3 weeks of paid vacation
- 10 or more paid holidays per year
- Paid sick leave
- Long-term incentives, in the form of company stock or long-term cash awards
- Potential discretionary bonuses
- Ability to purchase additional stock at a discount through an Employee Stock Purchase Plan
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Entry Level
