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SpaceX · 2 months ago

Electric Propulsion Engineer (Mechanical), Starlink

Redmond, WA

Full-time

Onsite

Entry, Mid Level

$110K/yr - $130K/yr

1+ years exp

SpaceX is a company focused on enabling human life on Mars through advanced technologies. The Electric Propulsion Engineer will be responsible for the design, analysis, testing, and lifecycle management of propulsion hardware for the Starlink satellite system, working closely with various engineering teams to ensure optimal performance and production efficiency.

Advanced MaterialsAerospaceManufacturingNational SecuritySpace Travel

Growth Opportunities

No H1B

U.S. Citizen Only

Responsibilities

Solve complex mechanical, thermal, magnetic, and fluid system problems on the space grade hardware that enables our satellites to move in space

Own hardware from conceptual design through high volume production and on-orbit operation for the Starlink constellation

Work closely with partner domains including thermal, materials, electrical, mechanical, software and GNC groups

Develop design criteria, collaborate on requirements, and drive system-level optimization. Rapidly iterate on designs and analysis to inform high level systems trades and steer overall product direction

Drive holistic DFM to create elegant designs with a focus on piece part and process count reductions, error proofing at every step of fabrication and integration, and consistent performance and production metrics

Establish an efficient product lifecycle starting in the supply chain all the way through final integration that balances cost, complexity, and quality; work closely with partner teams to design and realize an efficient in-house production line

Perform vacuum chamber tests, performance characterization, and environmental tests on hardware to validate analysis and demonstrate compliance to design criteria

Own product delivery timeline through conception, design, analysis, assembly, launch, and on-orbit performance

Perform root cause investigations to understand failures and disposition hardware non-conformances

Demonstrate extreme ownership of product outcomes at every stage of development and production

Qualification

Mechanical designElectric propulsion systemsCADFEA softwareFluid dynamicsFinite element analysisGD&T conceptsDesign for Manufacturing/AssemblyPythonMATLABSQLMetabaseManufacturing processes

Required

Bachelor's degree in an engineering discipline

Experience with CAD and FEA software packages

1+ years of industry experience (internships/co-ops can apply)

Ability to work long hours and weekends as necessary to support mission critical milestones

Preferred

Master's degree in engineering or a related technical discipline

3+ years of professional experience in mechanical design and analysis

Hands-on experience designing, building and testing electric or chemical propulsion systems in an industry or lab environment

Previous experience and ownership of the full product life cycle in a high-rate production environment. (design trade, CAD design, prototyping, manufacturing, testing, qualification, production, reuse)

Experience with fluid dynamics, finite element, or related computer-based modeling

Experience with pressurized components (valves, regulators, tubes, pipes, etc.)

Experience with structural and electromagnetic finite element analysis

1+ years of experience with GD&T concepts

Experience Python and MATLAB; familiarity with SQL and Metabase

Experience leading operation-critical part mechanical design, including structures and fluids calculations and design considerations

Experience with manufacturing processes such as CNC mill/lathe, welding, castings, additive, etc. and proficient with the fundamentals of Design for Manufacturing/Assembly (DFMA)