SpaceX · 1 day ago
Sr. Propulsion Engineer, Raptor Flight
Hawthorne, CA
Full-time
Onsite
Mid, Senior Level
$125K/yr - $175K/yr
4+ years expSpaceX is actively developing technologies to enable human life on Mars. The Senior Propulsion Engineer is responsible for overseeing engine operations from concept to flight, ensuring reliability and safety in the development and operation of Starship launch vehicles.
AerospaceManufacturingSpace Travel
No H1B
U.S. Citizen Only
Responsibilities
Perform analysis, development engineering, and flight operations tasks for Raptor engine propulsion systems
Align resources to accomplish team’s objectives, practice clear ownership, and set the performance bar at a high standard of excellence
Enable high launch cadence with unparalleled reliability through automated analysis of test and flight data; expand existing capabilities and develop new algorithms to improve reliability and thoroughness of all flight processes
Collaborate with engineers and technicians from various disciplines (e.g. Software, Ground Systems, Stage Propulsion, Integration and Test, Guidance and Control) to achieve successful and reliable engine performance in flight and during ground vehicle testing, and to continuously refine the designs and practices for increased product reliability and reduced costs
Support live test and flight operations in role of a primary console operator; analyze telemetry data to establish engine systems health and to troubleshoot anomalies
Exercise risk-conscious decision-making skills under high pressure and across multiple engineering systems; brief company leadership during live operations and anomaly investigations as required
Support vehicle-level readiness and data reviews for the engine systems; represent the engine system in the role of Responsible Engineer to the rest of the vehicle, ground, and customer disciplines
Implement and maintain rigorous hardware and software verification processes through the practical application of automation and process controls
Fully own critical spaceflight operations (and possibly hardware) with profound responsibility
Execute walkdowns, and support hardware troubleshooting in the field
Develop engineering test and flight plans; own engine development and validation testing campaigns or certain engineering inputs
Balance competing priorities and multiple dynamic projects simultaneously, while assessing the level of depth/accuracy needed for each task; push tasks to completion, with a burning sense of urgency and extreme ownership
Operate in high-stress environment with grit, endurance, and a great attitude
Apply thermofluids fundamentals to size fluid systems and construct performance and risk trades for Raptor engine product and associated stage systems
Lead engineering reviews and drive trade analyses to practical recommendations and decisions
Qualification
Required
Bachelor's degree in an engineering discipline with training in thermofluids area
4+ years of experience with liquid rocket engines or associated fluid systems
Experience in hardware design, manufacture, assembly, test, or flight
Ability to pivot and adapt quickly to changes in direction, schedule, priority, and/or level of depth as required to stay aligned with program's evolving needs
Demonstrable proficiency in the basic principles of compressible/incompressible flow, thermodynamics, and materials
Experience developing hardware or operations from concept to working prototypes and refining the product to achieve robustness and autonomy
Experience with engineering programming tools (Python, MATLAB, or similar) and hardware design tools (Siemens NX or similar)
Familiarity with basic concepts of control systems
Experience running engineering trade and risks reviews with senior leadership of the organization
Passion for developing and following rigorous engineering processes designed to deliver reliability in a high-stakes environment
Experience operating in a rapidly growing and evolving technical environment
Ability to act and execute in a scrappy and entrepreneurial manner
Professional liquid engine development experience; experience working with pressurized fluid components such as valves and pneumatic systems; experience working with high-temperature or combustion systems
Willingness to travel between CA and TX or FL in support of test and flight operations and hardware development
Willingness to work extended hours and weekends as needed
Preferred
Master's degree in mechanical engineering or aeronautical/astronautical engineering
Benefits
Long-term incentives, in the form of company stock, stock options, or long-term cash awards
Potential discretionary bonuses
Ability to purchase additional stock at a discount through an Employee Stock Purchase Plan
Comprehensive medical, vision, and dental coverage
401(k) retirement plan
Short and long-term disability insurance
Life insurance
Paid parental leave
Various other discounts and perks
3 weeks of paid vacation
10 or more paid holidays per year
Paid sick leave pursuant to Company policy
Company
SpaceX
SpaceX is an aviation and aerospace company that designs, manufactures, and launches rockets and spacecraft.
1001-5000 employees
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
Benzinga.com
2026-01-22
2026-01-22
PCMag Australia
2026-01-22
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