Mechanical Engineer (Rotating Equipment)

SpaceX•Starbase, TX, TX

3d•Onsite

About The Position

SpaceX is looking for a Mechanical Engineer who can support power plant development by owning the rotating equipment integration scope from technical specification through equipment selection, interface management, construction and into commissioning. You’ll work across gas turbines, steam turbines, and HRSGs. This is not a desk job. You will be constructing the power plant, owning commissioning in the control room during startup, and in the field troubleshooting.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related engineering discipline
2+ years of experience with utility-scale rotating equipment: gas turbines, steam turbines, HRSGs, or large industrial compressors/pumps

Nice To Haves

Working knowledge of rotating equipment fundamentals: rotor dynamics, bearing design, lube oil systems, thermal expansion, and alignment
Experience with mechanical specification development and technical bid evaluation for major equipment packages
Direct experience with F-class or H-class gas turbines (GE 7/9FA/HA, Siemens SGT6/8, Mitsubishi M501/701, Doosan H-class)
Experience with HRSG design review — drum internals, superheater/reheater arrangement, SCR integration
Familiarity with API 611/612/616/617 standards for rotating equipment
Experience with vibration analysis, rotor dynamics software, or finite element analysis for rotating machinery
Factory acceptance test (FAT) experience at an OEM turbine or generator facility
Field commissioning experience: alignment, mechanical run tests, vibration baselining
Comfort working directly with OEM engineering teams to resolve technical disputes under schedule pressure
Experience using SOLIDWORKS, Siemens NX, or similar CAD software
Knowledge of engineering standards and best practices such as ASME B31.3, ASME BPV Code Section VIII, and AFSPCMAN 91-710

Responsibilities

Develop technical specifications for gas turbines, steam turbines, HRSGs, and associated auxiliaries (lube oil systems, gas fuel skids, SCR/CO catalyst systems)
Lead technical evaluation of OEM proposals (GE, Siemens Energy, Mitsubishi Power, Doosan) and drive equipment selection recommendations
Own mechanical interface management between major equipment packages — turbine, generator, HRSG, steam turbine, condenser, and balance of plant systems
Review and approve OEM drawings, GA layouts, and P&IDs for technical compliance and constructibility
Support foundation and structural design coordination with civil/structural engineering, including dynamic loading and vibration criteria
Work with EPC and OEM to resolve technical interface issues (piping stress, thermal expansion, casing supports, lube oil routing) before they hit the field
Participate in factory acceptance testing (FAT) at OEM facilities
Support commissioning and startup activities on-site, including mechanical checkout, alignment verification, and vibration baseline testing
Develop technical basis for spare parts strategy and critical rotating equipment spares
Travel to OEM factories, fabrication shops, and the construction site as needed