Electric Propulsion Engineer, Mechanical (Starshield)

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.

ELECTRIC PROPULSION ENGINEER MECHANICAL(STARSHIELD)

Starshieldleverages SpaceXs Starlink technology and launch capability to support national security efforts. While Starlink is designed for consumer and commercial useStarshieldis designed for government use withan initialfocus on earth observation communications and hosted payloads.

SpaceX is hiring an Electric Propulsion Engineer to join a collaborative engineering team working on design analysis build and test of flight-qualified satellite electric propulsion systems for in-space this role you will contribute end-to-end hardware ownershipfrom design through production support and qualificationfor propulsion systems that must meet demanding flight reliability requirements through iterative design test and refinement.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Design analyze test and provide operational support for high-volume production spacecraftelectricpropulsion hardware
• Partner with manufacturing to ensure designs enable efficient reliable high-rate production
• Design buildmodify operate and troubleshoot electric propulsion test facilities including vacuum chamberspressure systemscryogenic pumps data acquisition and control systems and associated instrumentation
• Analyze and review test datawithnumericaltools to confirm hardware isoperatingas expected and inform design decisions
• Lead root-cause investigations andcomponentredesigns to improve reliability and/or production rates
• Develop and execute qualification test plans for flight readiness (vibration shock thermal cycle life cycle fault injection)
• Make rigorous risk-informed trades across cost lead time reliability and performance to meetprogram reliability targets for mission-critical flight hardware
• Own critical spaceflight hardware end-to-end with support from manufacturing reliability test and operationsteams
• Workasan integrated teamwith daily interactions among technicians engineers and managers;identifyand implement design and process improvements
• Communicate clearly under ambiguity escalate technical and schedule risks early and collaborate through disagreement

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelors degree in mechanical aerospace physics or other engineering discipline
• 3 years of total experience in one or a combination of the following: professional experience designing testing and analyzing electric propulsion systems; or related spacecraft propulsion fluid pressure plasma or thruster-adjacent hardware experience (e.g. thermal structural power or diagnostics for EP/plasma systems)

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:

• Demonstrated delivery ofhardwareforhigh-reliability or safety-critical use
• Working knowledge ofstructural design materialspropertiesthermodynamics fluid/pressure/vacuumsystemsandnumerical analysisprogramming( MATLAB); plasma physics as applicable(depth in several of these areas is valued; mastery of all is notexpected)
• Experienceprioritizingconcurrent design build and test work against flight and production milestones
• Clear documentation habits and attention to detail appropriate for flight hardware
• Track record of improving designs and processes for reliability rate or quality
• Active Top Secret or Top Secret/SCI clearance or ability and willingness to obtain aTop Secretclearance is desired but not required

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

• An active clearance may provide the opportunity to work on sensitive SpaceX missions; if so you will be subject to pre-employment drug and random drug and alcohol testing
• Ability to perform essential job duties that may include working in and around vacuum chambersstanding kneeling crouching twisting the upper body working in cramped positions in small openings and climbing hand-over-hand. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the role
• Ability to travel up to 10% of the time
• This role is fully on-site to support hands-on test facility and hardware work

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS:

Pay Range:
Level 2: $120000.00 - $170000.00

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 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.

Those with an active clearance will receive a 10% differential up to an additional $20000 annually once officially briefed into a classified program.

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.