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SpaceX · 3 days ago

Propulsion Engineer (Raptor Development Operations)

Hawthorne, CA

Full-time

Onsite

Entry, Mid Level

$95K/yr - $115K/yr

1+ years exp

SpaceX is a company focused on developing technologies for human exploration of Mars. The Propulsion Engineer role involves overseeing the development, production, and operation of the engine ignition system and associated hardware necessary for engine operation during flight.

Advanced MaterialsAerospaceManufacturingNational SecuritySpace Travel

Growth Opportunities

No H1B

U.S. Citizen Only

Responsibilities

Own design, analysis, development, sequencing, and flight operations tasks for Raptor ignition and transients

Own the success of hardware design and requirements, delivery of production at target throughput rates, and reliable engine operation from startup to mainstage to shutdown

Coordinate with peers through informal leadership and self-directed organization to achieve goals. Assign clear responsibilities and hold teammates accountable for execution

Collaborate with engineers and technicians from all disciplines, including production, development test, launch, vehicle, GNC (guidance, navigation & control), flight and ground software, flight reliability, and more to develop hardware and transient sequences that meet high-level engine and vehicle objectives

Identify, organize, and drive hardware design and sequence changes related to departmental priorities such as simplification, reliability, performance, and optimizing for success of the vehicle architecture

Establish requirements for hardware and engine transients and work with other responsible engineers to ensure interfacing systems meet requirements and vice versa

Develop test requirements and participate in test operations to develop hardware and processes to accept engines for flight

Develop test plans for development objectives, review data, and provide hardware or sequence troubleshooting recommendations. Communicate results of the tests to impacted systems

Perform data review of test and flight operations, analyze trends from engine test history, provide operational limits, and make critical go/no-go calls

Enable high launch cadence through automated analysis of test and flight data via coding

Develop and understand fluid and combustion transients as related to engine operation through testing and modeling

Develop an understanding of the integrated engine system and how hardware and sequence changes propagate to the vehicle and to the mission

Qualification

Rocket engine hardwareEngineering programmingFluid dynamicsData analysisCombustion transientsThermodynamicsTeam motivationCollaborationProblem-solvingCommunication

Required

Bachelor's degree in an engineering discipline

1+ years experience with engineering programming and data review tools (e.g. Python, MATLAB, Winplot)

1+ years experience working with rocket or jet engine hardware or high-pressure fluid systems in a design, manufacturing, analysis, or test capacity

Willing to travel in support of test and launch operations

Willingness to work extended hours and weekends as needed

Preferred

Master's degree in mechanical engineering or aeronautical/astronautical engineering

3+ years of professional or academic experience working with jet or rocket engines or other high-pressure fluid systems

Demonstrable proficiency in the basic principles of compressible and incompressible flow, thermodynamics, thermochemistry, mechanics, fluid and combustion transients, and materials

Experience analyzing engine transients behavior or designing engine startup and shutdown sequences

Experience analyzing test data and making technical decisions and change recommendations based on findings

Demonstrated effective communication and collaboration across multiple groups

Analytical/scientific programming experience (Python, MATLAB, C/C++, Excel, etc.)

Experience with systems-level engine modeling (lumped parameter fluids modeling, ROCETS, etc.)

Experience designing for manufacturing and implementing designs into manufacturing process, including troubleshooting and iterating designs based on downstream feedback

Demonstrated ability to act with good engineering judgment and execute high quality work in a technical environment on tight timelines and aggressive schedules

Demonstrated ability to provide and concisely communicate technically-sound information in high-pressure situations

Demonstrated ability to organize and motivate a team of peers to achieve program goals

Self-motivated to solve complex problems

Great attitude in the face of extreme challenges