SpaceX

Equipment Safety Engineer

SpaceX$90K — $120K *
Aerospace & Defense
5 - 7 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in mechanical, electrical, industrial engineering, or related field.
  • 5+ years of experience in equipment safety engineering, specifically with automated machinery in industrial settings.
  • Advanced degree preferred.
  • Proven experience designing machine guarding systems compliant with relevant standards.
  • Hands-on experience with interlock validation and safety PLC programming.

Responsibilities

  • Interpret and apply safety standards to assess equipment designs.
  • Design and implement machine guarding solutions for automated equipment.
  • Perform interlock validation testing for safety-related control systems.
  • Create and maintain internal automated machine safety standards and training programs.
  • Conduct hazard analyses and safety audits on new and existing equipment.
  • Collaborate with engineers and production teams to integrate safety features in equipment specifications.
  • Lead safety incident investigations and implement corrective actions.

Benefits

  • Opportunity to work with cutting-edge automated machinery.
  • Engagement in a fast-paced, dynamic team environment.
  • Relocation assistance for candidates not local to Bastrop, TX.
  • Chance to contribute to compliance with evolving industry standards.
  • Professional development opportunities through training and experience.
Full Job Description
EQUIPMENT SAFETY ENGINEER

The SpaceX Bastrop Environmental Health & Safety team is seeking a highly skilled Equipment Safety Engineer to join our fast-growing Bastrop EHS Team. In this role, you will play a critical part in ensuring the safety and compliance of automated machinery and equipment across multiple production projects. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in machine safety design, risk assessment, and standards interpretation to develop and implement robust safety programs that protect employees and align with industry best practices. This position requires a proactive approach to hazard mitigation, strong collaboration with mechanical and automation engineering teams, and a commitment to continuous improvement in safety engineering.

RESPONSIBILITIES:
  • Interpret and apply relevant international and national safety standards to evaluate equipment designs, including OSHA 29 CFR 1910.212, ANSI B11.19, ANSI/RIA R15.06, ISO 13849-1, ISO 14120, and others.
  • Design and implement machine guarding solutions for automated equipment, including fixed guards, adjustable guards, and interlocking devices to prevent unauthorized access to hazardous areas.
  • Perform interlock validation testing and certification for safety-related control systems, ensuring compliance with functional safety requirements and proper integration with machine operations.
  • Develop and maintain internal automated machine safety standards, including creating company-specific guidelines, risk assessment methodologies, and training programs based on industrial standards and best practices.
  • Conduct hazard analyses, risk assessments (e.g., using HAZOP or FMEA methods), and safety audits on new and existing equipment to identify potential risks and recommend mitigation strategies.
  • Collaborate with design engineers, production teams, and external vendors to integrate safety features into equipment specifications from the conceptual stage through to commissioning and manufacturing.
  • Lead safety incident investigations related to machinery, perform root cause analysis, and ensure implementation of corrective actions to prevent recurrence.
  • Stay current with evolving safety regulations and standards, providing training and guidance to internal teams on compliance requirements.
  • Support the preparation of technical documentation, including safety manuals, validation reports, and compliance certifications for regulatory audits.

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:
  • Bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, industrial engineering, or in an engineering field.
  • 5+ years of experience in equipment safety engineering, with a focus on automated machinery in a manufacturing or industrial environment.

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:
  • Advanced degree.
  • Proven experience in designing machine guarding systems, including selection and fabrication of guards compliant with ANSI and ISO standards.
  • Hands-on experience with interlock validation, including electrical and mechanical interlock systems, and familiarity with safety PLC programming (e.g., using IEC 61131-3 standards).
  • Demonstrated expertise in interpreting and applying safety standards such as ANSI B11 series, ISO 13849, ISO 14120, OSHA 1910 Subpart O (Machinery and Machine Guarding), and NFPA 79; ability to cite and reference specific clauses in design reviews.
  • Experience developing internal safety standards for automated systems.
  • Proficiency in safety risk assessment tools and software.
  • Strong knowledge of functional safety concepts (e.g., SIL/PL ratings) and familiarity with related standards.
  • Excellent problem-solving skills, attention to detail, and ability to work in a fast-paced, team-oriented environment.
  • Experience in high-volume manufacturing environments, such as aerospace, automotive, or robotics.
  • Professional certifications such as Certified Safety Professional (CSP), Professional Engineer (PE) in a relevant discipline, or TÜV Functional Safety Engineer are highly desirable.
  • Familiarity with simulation tools for safety validation (e.g., ANSYS or MATLAB for hazard modeling).
  • Strong communication skills for presenting safety findings to non-technical stakeholders and leading safety workshops.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:
  • This is not a remote or hybrid position and will require relocation if not already local to the Bastrop, TX area.
  • Position occasionally requires the ability to work extended hours and weekends when needed.


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. a7 1157, or (iv) Asylee under 8 U.S.C. a7 1158, or be eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State. Learn more about the ITAR here.

About SpaceX

SpaceX is an American aerospace manufacturer and space transportation services company founded in 2002 by entrepreneur Elon Musk. The company designs, manufactures, and launches advanced rockets and spacecraft. SpaceX has developed the Falcon 1, Falcon 9, Falcon Heavy, and Dragon spacecraft. The company was founded with the goal of reducing space transportation costs and enabling the colonization of Mars. SpaceX has achieved several milestones in spaceflight, including the first privately-funded liquid-propellant rocket to reach orbit, the first privately-funded company to send a spacecraft to the International Space Station, and the first privately-funded company to send a human-rated spacecraft to orbit.
Learn more about SpaceX
Size
8,000 employees
Industry
Founded
2002

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