Propulsion Engineer, Development Operations (Raptor) jobs in United States
cer-icon
Apply on Employer Site
company-logo

SpaceX · 2 weeks ago

Propulsion Engineer, Development Operations (Raptor)

SpaceX is actively developing technologies to enable human life on Mars. As a Propulsion Engineer on the Raptor Development Operations team, you will guide the development of future versions of the Raptor engine, ensuring system-level ownership and compatibility with the vehicle through requirements definition, operations development, and test support.

Advanced MaterialsAerospaceManufacturingNational SecuritySpace Travel
check
Growth Opportunities
badNo H1BnoteU.S. Citizen Onlynote

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

Pressurized fluid systemsHardware designThermodynamicsCAD softwareSystems-level modelingCommunicationProblem-solvingTeam collaboration

Required

Bachelor's degree in an engineering discipline
1+ years of experience with pressurized fluid systems
1+ years of experience in hardware design, manufacture, assembly, test and/or flight
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
2+ 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 is an aviation and aerospace company that designs, manufactures, and launches rockets and spacecraft.

Funding

Current Stage
Late Stage
Total Funding
$11.78B
Key Investors
Korea Investment PartnersIntesa SanpaoloAndreessen Horowitz
2025-12-12Secondary Market
2025-09-10Secondary Market
2025-08-13Secondary Market· $10M

Leadership Team

leader-logo
Bret Johnsen
CFO
linkedin
leader-logo
Charles Kuehmann
VP Materials Engineering
linkedin
Company data provided by crunchbase