Propulsion Engineer, Stage Systems (Starship)

SpaceX • Starbase, TX, TX

1d

About The Position

The Stage Responsible Engineer (Stage RE) develops the fluid systems that enable higher-performance, highly manufacturable interplanetary vehicles. The role develops the design, operation, and performance of the stage propulsion systems on the Starship launch vehicle. These systems include propellant feed and management systems, helium and autogenous pressurization systems, pneumatic systems, differential-pressure measurement systems, engine ignition gas supply systems, environmental control systems, and attitude control systems integrated into each vehicle stage. The Stage RE owns overall stage propulsion system performance for each vehicle and mission.

The engineer develops and maintains system requirements, designs, models, test plans, control-system timing and valve sequencing, mission designs, and operating concepts. The role supports production, testing, vehicle inspections, launch operations, flight-data review, and resolution of stage-related anomalies. The position may require extended hours, weekends, schedule flexibility, and travel to remote build sites. Work may involve tight quarters and physically demanding activities, exposure to extreme outdoor conditions, and exposure to fumes, odors, and noise.

To meet U.S. Government export regulations, applicants must be U.S. citizens or nationals, lawful permanent residents, refugees, asylees, or eligible to obtain required U.S. Department of State authorizations. SpaceX is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in mechanical, manufacturing, or aerospace engineering.
• At least 1 year of mechanical or fluid-system design experience.
• Must be willing to work extended hours and weekends as needed.
• Physical dexterity for work in tight quarters; ability to stand, kneel, crouch, twist the upper body, work in cramped positions and small openings, and climb hand over hand.
• Flexibility to work schedules that vary according to site operational needs.
• Flexibility to travel to remote build sites.
• Must satisfy U.S. Government export-control eligibility requirements: be a U.S. citizen or national, lawful permanent resident, refugee, asylee, or eligible to obtain required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.

Nice To Haves

• Master’s degree in mechanical engineering, aerospace engineering, or another engineering field.
• Strong first-principles understanding of thermodynamics, incompressible flow, and compressible flow.
• Proficient knowledge of statics and mechanics of materials.
• Strong critical-thinking and problem-solving skills and exceptional attention to detail.
• Experience with pressurized fluid systems and components, such as pneumatic or cryogenic systems, pressure-control devices, valves, diffusers, and fittings.
• Experience testing rocket-stage or engine propulsion systems.
• Experience with integrated vehicle pad and launch operations.
• Familiarity with common aerospace instrumentation, such as pressure transducers and RTDs.
• Familiarity with basic control-system concepts.
• Hands-on hardware experience in fabrication, assembly, and/or testing in a professional, academic, entrepreneurial, or hobby setting.
• Demonstrated success in a rapidly growing, changing, and highly technical environment, with the ability to act and execute in a scrappy, entrepreneurial manner against tight timelines.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills and ability to succinctly present recommendations to stakeholders, customers, and management.
• Working knowledge of Python and/or MATLAB.
• Strong desire to mentor and develop direct reports.

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain top-level requirements, system design, operation, and performance of the associated stage propulsion components and systems.
• Develop and maintain thermal/fluid models of stage propulsion systems.
• Generate and maintain stage control-system timing, valve sequencing, and stage-systems mission design; develop CONOPs from conception through flight-software configuration, implementation, and execution.
• Support production, test, and launch operations as needed across SpaceX facilities.
• Review and approve stage-system checkouts and non-conformance dispositions, and perform final vehicle inspections before shipment or test.
• Generate and maintain stage test plans; support stage testing operations, including on-console operations; review test data; validate system performance; and provide final sign-off on system acceptance before shipment to the launch pad.
• Review and approve stage-systems launch procedures, final integration instructions, anomaly resolutions, and flight software.
• Support major launch operations as directed by the launch director.
• Review launch data, validate flight-vehicle performance, and lead stage-related flight-anomaly resolution and corrective actions.

What This Job Offers

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