Propulsion Engineer Merlin Flight Operations

SpaceX was founded under the belief that a future where humanity is out exploring the stars is fundamentally more exciting than one where we are not. Today SpaceX is actively developing the technologies to make this possible with the ultimate goal ofenabling human life on Mars.

PROPULSION ENGINEER (MERLIN FLIGHT OPERATIONS)

The Merlin Flight Operations team is dedicated to delivering Falcon and its payloads to orbit rapidly and reliably. The Propulsion Engineers on this team are responsible for ensuring flightworthiness of Merlin engine hardware and software over the life cycle of the engine from initial build through acceptance testing and into flight (and reflight) operations. Additionally Propulsion Engineers are responsible for driving reliabilityimproving and rateenabling initiatives to maintain the longterm success of Falcon as the mostflown mostreliable launch vehicle in existence.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Develop a comprehensive understanding of the Merlin engine and its operation
• Make critical decisions for the processing of Merlin engine hardware during build test integration and flight to ensure 100 mission success
• Define implement and validate engine acceptance and operational requirements to promote reliability rapid reusability and streamlined processing of engines
• Take on primary responsibility for the success of Merlin engine(s) for a given test or launch campaign
• Support test and launch operations across all SpaceX facilities including live onconsole support from mission control
• Perform posttest and postflight data reviews and provide technical recommendations to Vehicle Maintenance team to enable rapid reliable reuse of hardware
• Solve undefined and multidisciplinary problems interfacing with engineering and technician teams from all disciplines across SpaceX (e.g. production test launch stage propulsion avionics structures guidance navigation & control thermal and fluid analysis flight and ground software mission management flight reliability etc.
• Work closely with commercial and government customers to drive down technical debt mitigate flight risks and ensure maximum hardware and software reliability
• Lead engine anomaly investigations and drive these investigations to resolution
• Develop new automation capabilities to enable extreme launch cadence leverage coding for rapid test and flight data analysis flight software verification and other engineering processes and eliminate recurring work
• Optimize recurring test and mission tasks to enable an increasingly demanding launch manifest

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelors degree in an engineering discipline
• 1 years of experience working with engines or fluid systems

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:

• Masters degree in mechanical engineering or aeronautical/astronautical engineering
• Analytical/scientific programming experience
• Handson hardware experience performing fabrication assembly and/or testing
• Experience in collaborative coding within versioncontrolled repositories (i.e. Git)
• Experience with Python
• Proficiency in the basic principles of compressible and incompressible flow thermodynamics thermochemistry mechanics and materials
• Basic familiarity with liquid propellant rocket engine cycles liquid propellant launch vehicle fluid systems and components used in launch vehicle fluid systems
• Excellent communication skills (both written and verbal) and ability to succinctly present recommendations to stakeholders the customer and management
• Handson hardware experience performing fabrication assembly and/or testing (can be in a professional academic entrepreneurial or hobby setting)
• Experience testing liquid propellant rocket engines and/or working with pressurized fluid components such as valves and/or pneumatic systems
• Experience with integrated vehicle pad and launch operations
• Demonstrated track record of success in a rapidly growing changing and highly technical environment ability to act and execute in a spy entrepreneurial manner against tight timelines
• Profound sense of personal ownership and extreme accountability
• Ability to think clearly and communicate concisely in highpressure timecritical situations
• Strong critical thinking and problemsolving skills exceptional attention to detail
• Great attitude in the face of extreme challenges

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Must be willing to work extended hours and weekends as needed
• Must be willing to travel in support of test and launch operations
• Ability to pass Space Force background check for Cape Canaveral and Vandenberg AFB

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS:

Pay Range:

Propulsion Engineer/Level I: $95000.00 $115000.00/per year
Propulsion Engineer/Level II: $110000.00 $130000.00/per year

Your actual level and base salary will be determined on a casebycase basis and may vary based on the following considerations: jobrelated knowledge and skills education and experience.

Base salary is just one part of your total rewards package at SpaceX. You may also be eligible for longterm incentives in the form of company stock stock options or longterm cash awards as well as potential discretionary bonuses and the ability to purchase additional stock at a discount through an Employee Stock Purchase Plan. You will also receive access to comprehensive medical vision and dental coverage access to a 401(k) retirement plan short and longterm disability insurance life insurance paid parental leave and various other discounts and perks. You may also accrue 3 weeks of paid vacation and will be eligible for 10 or more paid holidays per year. Exempt employees are eligible for 5 days of sick leave per year.

ITAR REQUIREMENTS:

• 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. Learn more about the ITAR here.

SpaceX is an Equal Opportunity Employer; employment with SpaceX is governed on the basis of merit competence and qualifications and will not be influenced in any manner by race color religion gender national origin/ethnicity veteran status disability status age sexual orientation gender identity marital status mental or physical disability or any other legally protected status.

Applicants wishing to view a copy of SpaceXs Affirmative Action Plan for veterans and individuals with disabilities or applicants requiring reasonable accommodation to the application/interview process should reach out to.