SpaceX · 3 months ago
Sr. Propulsion Engineer, Development Operations (Raptor)
McGregor, TX
Full-time
Onsite
Senior Level
5+ years expSpaceX is a company focused on developing technologies for human exploration of Mars. The Sr. Propulsion Engineer will guide the development of future Raptor engine versions, ensuring system compatibility and performance through comprehensive planning, testing, and collaboration with cross-functional teams.
Advanced MaterialsAerospaceManufacturingNational SecuritySpace Travel
Responsibilities
Own system-level processes and operations critical to overall engine function from design and build through testing and flight
Establish hardware and operational requirements and work with other responsible engineers to ensure interfacing systems meet requirements to ensure we are building the highest performance, reliable vehicle system possible
Communicate system capability and requirements such that the entire engine/vehicle system comes together as a cohesive, integrated unit through clear development roadmaps, execution of new designs, and efficient development test programs from concept design to flying Starship at high rate
Ownership of system through flight, including data review, reuse, and on-console support as needed
Drive the development roadmap for new versions of the Raptor engine through:
Converting programmatic goals into concrete requirements for Raptor and Starship teams to follow while developing a new engine version
Developing test requirements and participating in test operations to develop hardware and processes to accept engines for flight
Being directly in involved in leading development testing on-site at the McGregor and/or Starbase test facility
Developing test plans for development objectives, reviewing data, and providing troubleshooting recommendations and solutions. Communicate results of the tests to impacted systems and drive any observed anomalies to closure
Drive findings in engine development back to the factory to quickly address problems and buy down risk ahead of flight
Be able to perform risk-conscious decision-making under pressure
Maintain a positive and constructive attitude in the face of technical and non-technical challenges
Be proactive and flexible to changes in department/company strategy
Qualification
Required
Bachelor's degree in an engineering discipline
5+ years of experience with pressurized fluid systems
5+ years of experience in hardware design, manufacture, assembly, test and/or flight
Be able to perform risk-conscious decision-making under pressure
Maintain a positive and constructive attitude in the face of technical and non-technical challenges
Be proactive and flexible to changes in department/company strategy
Willing to travel in support of test and launch operations
Willingness to work extended hours and weekends as needed
To conform to U.S. Government export regulations, applicant must be a (i) U.S. citizen or national, (ii) U.S. lawful, permanent resident (aka green card holder), (iii) Refugee under 8 U.S.C. § 1157, or (iv) Asylee under 8 U.S.C. § 1158, or be eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State
Preferred
Demonstrated understanding of thermodynamics, compressible and incompressible flow, thermochemistry, mechanics, heat transfer, and structural design in demanding environments
Master's degree in aerospace engineering, mechanical engineering, or similar discipline
5+ years working in multidisciplinary teams, projects, or programs in a rapidly changing, highly demanding environment
Demonstrated ability at successfully troubleshooting/resolving hardware test issues or flight anomalies from analyzing test data
Experience in a test operational role for multiple test articles (engines, components, etc.)
Familiarity with a CAD package like Siemens NX
Experience with executing high quality work in a highly technical yet fast-moving environment with tight timelines and aggressive schedules
Experience with systems-level engine modeling
Company
SpaceX
SpaceX is an aviation and aerospace company that designs, manufactures, and launches rockets and spacecraft.
1001-5000 employees
H1B Sponsorship
SpaceX has a track record of offering H1B sponsorships. Please note that this does not
guarantee sponsorship for this specific role. Below presents additional info for your
reference. (Data Powered by US Department of Labor)
Distribution of Different Job Fields Receiving Sponsorship
Represents job field similar to this job
Trends of Total Sponsorships
2025 (22)
2024 (17)
2023 (2)
2022 (3)
2020 (1)
Funding
Current Stage
Late StageTotal Funding
$11.78BKey Investors
Korea Investment PartnersIntesa SanpaoloAndreessen Horowitz
2025-12-12Secondary Market
2025-09-10Secondary Market
2025-08-13Secondary Market· $10M
Leadership Team
Bret Johnsen
CFO
Charles Kuehmann
VP Materials Engineering
Recent News
2026-01-09
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