Mechanical Engineer (Crew Starship Avionics)

Mechanical Engineer (Crew Starship Avionics)

Hawthorne, CA

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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 of enabling human life on Mars.

MECHANICAL ENGINEER (CREW STARSHIP AVIONICS)

After 50 years, humankind will once again return to the surface of the moon using SpaceX’s new vehicle, Crew Starship (also known as HLS or the Human Landing System) – this time for good. Starship will usher in the next era of crewed spaceflight and exploration, ultimately allowing us to establish permanent communities on the Moon, Mars, and beyond. As a Mechanical Engineer on the Crew Starship team, you will design and build spacecraft systems that are critical to the success and safety of future astronauts. Disciplines within this team include primary and secondary structures, mechanisms, and crew-interfacing hardware. Your design solutions will be driven by all future Crew Starship missions (Lunar, Mars, etc.). This role requires full hardware ownership, from initial design requirements and concepts all the way through design, analysis, prototype, qualification, and integration.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Act as extreme owner for electro-mechanical aspects of high reliability spacecraft electronics used on Crew Starship vehicles

Design electronic packaging, vehicle mounting, and environmental protection for avionics hardware and harnessing

Support flight hardware, from conception through build, qualification, and ultimately flight operations

Perform in depth first principles analysis, finite element analysis (FEA), and hand calculations to optimize designs for flight environments

Select mechanical components and materials, capture designs using computer-aided design (CAD) and configuration management tools, and provide formal documentation for product development milestones

Assist with architecture definition, capturing product requirements, manufacturing planning, and production test

Execute development and qualification testing campaigns to exercise designs to their limits and ensure reliable flight hardware

Directly support NASA with deliverables for Crew Starship milestones

Work with experts from other teams and departments to ensure that fielded systems perform their function while being efficient, manufacturable, and reliable; challenge assumptions and build strong professional relationships

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS

Bachelor’s degree in mechanical or aerospace engineering

1+ years of experience with mechanical / electromechanical hardware design and analysis (research and extracurricular academic projects qualify)

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE

Passion for spaceflight and electro-mechanical design for high reliability applications

Experience with CAD and FEA software packages, and very strong first-principles engineering fundamentals

Experience in design, CAD, FEA, GD&T, defining test plans, designing test setups, and executing hardware environmental qualification tests

Basic understanding of electrical components and packaging, for example with computers, displays, control panels, sensors, motors, batteries, solar, radio-frequency (RF), and harnessing components

Understanding of structural analysis and failure modes of complex mechanical systems

Hands-on experience with mechanism / structures design, prototyping, and precision mechanical assembly

Familiarity with design-for-manufacture and design-for-cost

Familiar with how to write software for test automation, data review, and design analysis, preferably in MATLAB or Python

Basic project management skills and demonstrated ability to collaborate with other engineering disciplines

Excellent verbal and written communication skills

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS :

Extended hours and weekend work may be required to support critical project and mission milestones

Occasional travel may be required to Starbase, Texas

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS :

Pay range :

Mechanical Engineer / Level I : $95,000.00 - $115,000.00 / per year

Mechanical Engineer / Level II : $110,000.00 - $130,000.00 / 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 ITARhere () .

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 SpaceX’s Affirmative Action Plan for veterans and individuals with disabilities, or applicants requiring reasonable accommodation to the application / interview process should reach out to EEOCompliance@spacex.com.