Sr. Software Engineer, Propulsion Simulation & Data Analysis (Raptor)

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.

SR. SOFTWARE ENGINEER PROPULSION SIMULATION & DATA ANALYSIS (RAPTOR)

The Raptor Systems Modeling and Control Team is responsible for the power-balance optimal control and calibration of one of the worlds most prolific and advanced rocket addition to this we aid in root cause analysis for anomaly resolution providing data and model driven insights supporting operations and components teams in high-consequence decision making. Our models and analysis are relied upon day-in-and-day-out to evaluate the safety and optimality of flight trajectories. With hundreds of engines hundreds of simulations and hundreds of hot fire operations the work we do guides both the engine design process and operation of every single mission and engine this role you will work with brilliant passionate engineers to develop rapid seamless processes to translate engine test data into accurate predictions of future performance for the most reliable and cutting-edge rocket engines in the world.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Maintain and improve the accuracy of the lumped-parameter thermofluid physics model of the Raptor engine
• Conduct engine cycle analysis to steer future-state engine design and thrust upgrades
• Conduct anomaly resolution utilizing the engine model and sparse instrumentation
• Develop a detailed understanding of the physics underlying rocket engine performance sources of performance variability as well as related modeling and measurement techniques
• Maintain and improve the accuracy of the representation of the Raptor engine used in integrated vehicle simulations control software validation and flight Monte Carlo analysis
• Develop tools and portals to understand the sources of engine performance variability and enact improvements to manufacturing and engine hardware design
• Automate processes and software tools that are used to predict test performance and generate flight performance predictions for GNC (guidance navigation and control) and flight software
• Collaborate with engineers across the company to extend and improve interoperability among existing tools as well as to standardize hardware and software practices tools and methods to maximize functionality and value while minimizing future overhead and obsolescence

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelors degree in computer science engineering or a STEM discipline
• 5 years of professional experience writing computer software
• 2 years of professional experience with physics-based simulations of real dynamic systems

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:

• Dynamical systems modeling
• Experience with lumped parameter modeling of physical systems
• Experience implementing physics-informed neural networks to solve real-world engineering problems
• Data driven analysis of complex systems
• Experience inferring root cause from sparse measurements
• Demonstrable proficiency in the basic principles of compressible and incompressible flow thermodynamics thermochemistry mechanics and materials
• Strong written and verbal communication skills ability to make presentations to team members internal customers and management
• Experience building data pipelines providing sanitization curation visualization exploration to high dimensional datasets
• Experience working with or simulating combustion engines or fluid systems
• Full stack web development experience (database design frontend) Frontend experience in Angular React or a similar JavaScript framework
• Backend development: deliver well-tested performant and maintainable Python C#/.NET C or Java code
• Experience with version control continuous integration Unix-like operating systems
• Experience with control feedback loop design and implementation
• Experience with numerical analysis techniques and signal processing in multiple domains

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS:

Pay range:
Senior: $160000.00 - $220000.00/per year

Your actual level and base salary will be determined on a case-by-case basis and may vary based on the following considerations: job-related 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 long-term incentives in the form of company stock stock options or long-term 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 long-term 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. Employees accrue paid sick leave pursuant to Company policy which satisfies or exceeds the accrual carryover and use requirements of the law.

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.