Launch Engineer, Starship Stage 0

SpaceX • Cape Canaveral, FL

292d

About The Position

SpaceX was founded under the belief that a future with 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. The Launch Engineer role for Starship Stage 0 (comprised of the launch mount and catch tower) will redefine ground support systems for launch vehicles as we know them, with the ultimate goal of launching, catching, and relaunching orbital boosters in hours or days instead of weeks or months. The role covers design for manufacturability concepts through integration and testing of these critical launch pad components. You will be highly engaged on the primary and secondary structures of the launch mount and tower, including designing tooling and processes to rapidly build early versions of the tower and launch mount. You will also be responsible for integration operations sequencing and working with technicians on installing flight-critical hardware on the tower and launch mount. Throughout the build, you will document processes and drive continual improvement for future builds. Launch Engineers will sometimes act as de facto supervisors and advisors to production technicians, welders, and other skilled labor partners.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering, aerospace engineering, or other engineering discipline
• Hands-on project experience with mechanical systems

Nice To Haves

• 2+ years of manufacturing design experience
• 2+ years of professional experience in the field of aerospace/mechanical engineering
• 2+ years of experience with Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing (GD&T) concepts
• Experience with fluid dynamics, finite element, or related computer-based modeling
• Experience with large steel structure construction (civil, naval, or mechanical)
• Experience designing and/or operating pressurized systems (cryogenic, hydraulic, compressed gases)
• Experience leading operation-critical part mechanical design, including basic structures calculations and design considerations
• Experience with finite element analysis (FEA) software packages
• Process development, facility and line layouts, error-proofing
• Experience with Unigraphics NX and Teamcenter CAD and product lifecycle management (PLM) systems
• Detailed knowledge of Siemens NC or similar CAD and PLM packages
• Prior experience with developing, maintaining and improving welding processes
• Strong interpersonal and organizational skills

Responsibilities

• Work closely with analysts and design team to ensure solutions meet the requirements for tower design as well as the manufacturing processes
• Develop production procedures/processes and manage the transition of parts and assemblies from development to production
• Coordinate and execute development, qualification, and acceptance testing of systems and tooling needed to meet hardware deadlines
• Execute design for manufacturability changes to enhance production efficiency
• Create original CAD models and prints for flight and/or tooling components
• Lead the on-site design engineering contact for the efficient build of parts and assemblies
• Create and maintain build schedules
• Resolve and analyze manufacturing discrepancies, while interfacing with the quality team
• Participate in design reviews internally and with suppliers and customers
• Partner with engineering and production teams to generate ideas, designs, and improvements for current and next-generation vehicles
• Source, retain and advise new and experienced vendors from a technical perspective

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Industry: Transportation Equipment Manufacturing
• Education Level: Bachelor's degree