Propulsion Engineer, Components Manufacturing (Raptor)

SpaceX • Hawthorne, CA

1d

About The Position

The Propulsion Engineer on SpaceX’s Raptor Components team develops manufacturing and integration processes for engine control components and assemblies. The team designs, analyzes, builds, tests, and flies flow-control hardware that integrates pneumatic, mechanical, electrical, and software systems for operation in extreme thermal, pressure, and vibration environments. The role focuses on making hardware simple, manufacturable, and reliable while supporting high-rate production and engine operation.

The engineer owns the relationship between assigned hardware and suppliers, customers, and test teams, and leads projects from process development through production and flight readiness. The position contributes to vehicle architecture trade studies and design and flight readiness for Starship. It is hands-on, involving direct work with hardware on the production floor. Occasional travel, long hours, or weekend work may be required.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in an engineering discipline.
• At least 1 year of experience with engine, fluid, or system design, development, fabrication, assembly, or testing; internship or project-team experience is applicable.
• Able to stand for long durations and work directly with hardware on the production floor.
• Comfortable stooping and bending.

Nice To Haves

• Strong interpersonal and collaborative skills, enthusiasm for problem solving, and interest in optimizing rocket production and launch processes.
• Strong project-management and leadership skills, with the ability to communicate technical concepts effectively across multidisciplinary teams.
• Experience with liquid rocket engines, spacecraft systems, and/or pressurized fluid systems.
• Expertise in design for manufacturability, with demonstrated success taking products through development, testing, and production.
• Understanding of fundamentals in fluid systems, solid mechanics, and/or electrical systems.
• Strong attention to detail and organizational skills.
• A record of success in a rapidly growing, changing, and highly technical environment.
• Ability and desire to work in a dynamic, fast-paced team environment.

Responsibilities

• Develop manufacturing and integration processes for components and assemblies in the Raptor engine family.
• Question requirements and simplify, optimize, accelerate, or automate component deliveries by removing unnecessary parts and processes.
• Develop, demonstrate, and implement innovative manufacturing processes to support high-rate production targets.
• Work with design and development engineers to improve the manufacturability and reliability of engine hardware, continually challenging processes, parts, and operations.
• Oversee the introduction and implementation of new products and product revisions, often managing multiple changes at once.
• Take holistic ownership of the production line, including process consistency, quality, tooling, capital equipment, ergonomics, and safety.
• Lead root-cause investigations arising in development, production, testing, integration, and launch; implement corrective actions and proactively identify and resolve hardware issues.
• Coordinate peers through informal leadership and self-directed program organization; assign responsibilities and motivate and hold teammates accountable for execution.
• Interface with internal fabrication shops and vendors to meet production goals.
• Work with production teams to deliver assigned hardware on time or ahead of schedule.
• Own relationships between assigned hardware and suppliers, customers, and test teams.
• Contribute to vehicle architecture trade studies and lead design and flight readiness activities for Starship.

Benefits

• Potential eligibility for long-term incentives in the form of company stock or long-term cash awards.
• Potential discretionary bonuses.
• Ability to purchase additional stock at a discount through an Employee Stock Purchase Plan.
• Comprehensive medical coverage.
• Vision insurance.
• Dental insurance.
• 401(k) retirement plan.
• Short- and long-term disability insurance.
• Life insurance.
• Paid parental leave.
• Various discounts and perks.
• Up to 3 weeks of paid vacation accrual.
• 10 or more paid holidays per year.
• Paid sick leave under company policy.

What This Job Offers

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