Propulsion Engineer (Raptor Final Assembly & Tube Shop)

SpaceX•Hawthorne, CA

10d

About The Position

SpaceX is hiring a Propulsion Engineer to oversee build and test processes in the Raptor final assembly and Tube Shop production area. The role develops, qualifies, and improves assembly processes for high-volume engine production, and works with design engineering, production teams, reliability engineers, and external vendors to resolve production challenges and meet schedules. The engineer will develop manufacturing standards, address build issues and nonconforming conditions, conduct root cause analysis, and implement corrective actions. The role also owns tooling design, fabrication, qualification, and improvement, and supports rate production by designing tooling for new and existing products. The engineer will streamline production builds and establish standard practices, troubleshooting guides, repair procedures, and planning-document reviews and approvals. The position requires working directly with hardware on the production floor for extended periods. Extended hours and weekend work may be required. Compensation is listed at Level 1: $100,000–$130,000 and Level 2: $115,000–$160,000, with the actual level and base salary determined case by case. Additional compensation may include company stock or long-term cash awards, discretionary bonuses, and an employee stock purchase plan. Benefits include medical, vision, and dental coverage; a 401(k); short- and long-term disability insurance; life insurance; paid parental leave; discounts and perks; up to three weeks of accrued paid vacation; at least 10 paid holidays per year; and paid sick leave under company policy.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in mechanical, aerospace, or manufacturing engineering.
At least 1 year of mechanical design and manufacturing experience from industry or collegiate engineering projects such as Formula SAE, Baja SAE, or Design Build Fly.
Ability to work directly with hardware on the floor for extended periods.
Ability to work extended hours and weekends when required.
To meet ITAR requirements, must be a U.S. citizen or national, U.S. lawful permanent resident, refugee, asylee, or eligible to obtain the required U.S. Department of State authorizations.

Nice To Haves

Experience building and testing fluid and electrical systems and interpreting schematics.
Documentation and configuration management experience.
Experience writing test plans and procedures and providing go/no-go judgment and rationale.
Experience taking products through development to full-volume production.
Understanding of manufacturing processes including machining, welding, drilling, and automation.
Ability to work with minimal supervision.
Experience with Design for Manufacturability and Assembly.
Experience with NX (UG or equivalent) CAD and geometric dimensioning and tolerancing (GD&T) for component and tooling design.
Experience with process development, facility and line layouts, value stream layout, PFMEA, and error proofing.

Responsibilities

Oversee build and test processes for the Raptor final assembly and Tube Shop production area.
Develop, qualify, and refine assembly processes to enable high-volume engine production.
Collaborate with design, build, and reliability engineers, internal production teams, and external vendors to improve production efficiency and deliver engines on schedule.
Work with design engineering to develop design and manufacturing standards that reduce final assembly burden and establish maintainable requirements.
Resolve build issues, disposition nonconforming conditions, perform root cause analysis, and implement corrective actions.
Own tooling design, fabrication, qualification, and improvement based on analysis and data.
Design tooling for new and existing products to support rate production.
Streamline production builds to reduce cost while improving quality and efficiency.
Implement standard practices, troubleshooting guides, and repair procedures, including reviewing and approving planning documents.

Benefits

Potential long-term incentives in the form of company stock or long-term cash awards.
Potential discretionary bonuses.
Employee Stock Purchase Plan with the ability to purchase additional stock at a discount.
Comprehensive medical coverage.
Vision coverage.
Dental coverage.
401(k) retirement plan.
Short- and long-term disability insurance.
Life insurance.
Paid parental leave.
Discounts and other perks.
Accrued paid vacation of up to three weeks.
10 or more paid holidays per year.
Paid sick leave under company policy.