New Graduate Engineer, Mechanical

SpaceX•McGregor, TX

2d•Onsite

About The Position

SpaceX is hiring a New Graduate Engineer, Mechanical for its test facility in the Central Texas (Waco, TX area). The role supports test operations and ground support equipment for Raptor, Starship, Falcon, Dragon, and other hardware. The work is hands-on and fast-paced, with responsibilities spanning test setup and execution, data analysis, troubleshooting, and the design and construction of test stands and other equipment. Depending on the engineering group, the position involves designing, building, activating, modifying, and maintaining fluid and mechanical systems used to power, restrain, and measure rocket engines, or developing and executing tests for engines, components, and spacecraft. Engineers work with high-volume cryogenic fluids and high-pressure gases, collaborating with technicians and design engineers to meet demanding test schedules and improve testing capability, safety, equipment performance, and maintainability.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in an engineering discipline or physics.
At least 1 year of mechanical and/or fluids engineering experience through a project team, research, internships, and/or professional experience.
Graduating with a bachelor's degree, master's degree, or PhD in 2026 or 2027.
Ability to work independently and as part of a team, take initiative, and communicate effectively with peers, leadership, and customers.
Ability to rapidly change roles and responsibilities while maintaining urgency in a fast-paced, challenging work environment.
Willingness to perform other related duties to support an efficient and effective work environment.
Availability to respond to emergencies supporting priority projects, missions, and launches.
Availability to work extended hours and weekends as needed; flexibility is required.
Ability to perform duties involving standing, kneeling, crouching, twisting the upper body, working in cramped positions and small openings, and climbing hand over hand.
Ability to lift objects unassisted up to 25 lbs.
Ability to work at elevated heights up to 300 ft. with proper PPE.
Ability to work outdoors in extreme heat, cold, wind, or rain when needed.
Ability to work in environments with exposure to fumes, odors, and noise; working conditions may include tight quarters and require physical dexterity.
Must meet U.S. Government export-control requirements: be a U.S. citizen or national, lawful permanent resident, refugee, or asylee, or be eligible to obtain required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.

Nice To Haves

Strong fundamental understanding and intuition for fluid, structural, or mechanical systems.
Critical thinking and problem solving in stressful, dynamic situations.
Positive responses and outcomes to challenges posed by short deadlines.
Hands-on build experience; machining, welding, and other fabrication techniques are a plus.
Creativity in designing for reliability, efficiency, and maintainability from scratch.
Enthusiastic, self-motivated, positive, can-do approach to challenges and opportunities.
Ability to select the best solution among several options while balancing cost, schedule, and complexity.
Acute attention to detail and ability to recognize interactions with related systems to prevent problems.
Experience with instrumentation and testing, data review and analysis, and verification of models against reality.
Experience with high-pressure or cryogenic fluid systems and components.
Experience with complex structural or mechanical systems and components.
Design verification using simplified hand calculations and complex modeling; FEA or CFD is a plus.
Experience producing fabrication drawings for machined or welded parts.
Intermediate CAD skills; Siemens NX is a plus.
Knowledge of ASME piping and pressure vessel design.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
3+ years of engineering design experience in an industrial setting or equivalent.

Responsibilities

Develop and execute engine- and component-level tests to evaluate hardware performance and mission survivability.
Own test campaigns, including test plan creation, system activation, test operations, data review, and test stand equipment design and fabrication.
Provide daily directions and instructions to technicians fabricating and integrating test articles and stand equipment.
Develop and maintain test procedures, sequences, scripts, configuration files, and software.
Operate and troubleshoot data acquisition and control systems, wiring, and instrumentation; DAQ systems are primarily National Instruments-based.
Operate and troubleshoot fluid and mechanical systems involving gaseous working fluids, rocket propellants, structural components, and supporting infrastructure.
Operate mechanical systems such as test stand support structures, heat exchangers, vacuum pumps, tooling, valves, reliefs, burst disks, and tubing.
Automate repetitive test operations to improve efficiency and safety.
Develop processes that increase testing capability and rates while maintaining rigorous safety standards.
Identify system pitfalls and potential hazards, resolve anomalies, and collaborate with design engineers on test stand and flight hardware improvements.
Analyze, design, and build systems supporting tests of integrated flight vehicles, rocket engines, and rocket components.
Own engineering projects from design through completion, including design reviews, decision justifications, equipment procurement, and construction coordination or participation.
Work with technicians to build designs and address real-world problems during construction and operation.
Coordinate closely with test operations and adjust plans as needed to meet testing deadlines.
Operate and troubleshoot equipment, apply lessons learned, and iterate system designs for improved performance and maintenance.
Develop solutions to complex engineering needs and rapidly emerging field projects that support ongoing testing of rocket engines and vehicles.