Launch Operations Engineer (Starship)

SpaceX • Brownsville, TX

17h • Onsite

About The Position

The Launch Operations Engineer is responsible for the operational process for Starship launch operations at SpaceX’s Starbase, Texas facility. The role helps ensure vehicle and launch-system reliability by testing integrated hardware in flight-like conditions, developing test requirements and launch plans, integrating on-pad flight and test articles, operating the launch system from the console, conducting tests, and analyzing results. Engineers document operational performance and use findings to inform vehicle, ground-system, and production improvements. They also serve as primary flight controllers for launch events and ensure operations are conducted safely.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering, chemical engineering, aerospace engineering, or another engineering discipline.
• At least 1 year of hands-on build or design experience; internship, club, and competition-team experience qualifies.
• Physical dexterity to work on flight hardware in tight quarters.
• Ability to work in environments with exposure to fumes, odors, and noise, and occasionally in extreme outdoor conditions such as heat, cold, and rain.
• Flexibility to work hours that vary according to site operational needs.
• Ability to safely work at heights up to 500 feet and in confined spaces, operate heavy equipment and machinery, and meet the physical requirements of the role.
• Ability to meet the listed physical demands, including sitting, standing, walking, lifting/carrying and pushing/pulling up to 50 pounds, reaching overhead, climbing, kneeling/crouching, and working in temperatures above 80 degrees.
• Must meet applicable U.S. export-control eligibility requirements: qualifying U.S. citizenship or immigration status, or eligibility to obtain required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.

Nice To Haves

• At least 3 years of hands-on experience with complex and/or low-margin mechanical, structural, fluid, and electronic systems.
• Ability to thrive with ambiguous requirements and aggressive timelines.
• High personal autonomy and self-driven motivation.
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to work effectively on a team, completing tasks rapidly with limited resources.
• Demonstrated experience working efficiently with hazardous systems, including high-pressure, high-voltage, cryogenic, toxic, flammable, hypergolic, or pyrophoric systems.
• Familiarity with complex system control and instrumentation.
• Experience with analytical data-review tools and numerical methods, such as Python, R, MATLAB, or NI LabVIEW.
• Demonstrated experience in root-cause and failure analysis.
• Experience writing and optimizing high-risk technical procedures and work instructions.
• Ability to read, understand, and apply technical drawings, data reports, mechanical and electrical schematics, and design specifications.

Responsibilities

• Serve as an on-console flight controller during launch events.
• Test integrated rocket hardware to determine whether it is suitable for flight.
• Provide on-console engineering support to technicians during daily test and launch-stand operations.
• Write and review control logic and automation for test and launch systems.
• Review data in real time and after operations to evaluate launch/test articles and stand systems, including software, fluid, structural, thermal, and electrical systems; document results and recommend upgrades or improvements.
• Create, review, and optimize test and launch processes and procedures to increase launch-system capability and rate.
• Identify system pitfalls and potential hazards, characterize them, and collaborate with design, production, and ground-system engineers on improvements to flight hardware and processes.
• Serve as the final authority to ensure operations are conducted safely.
• Perform other related duties as assigned to help ensure an efficient and effective work environment.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level