SpaceX

Launch Engineer, Falcon Engineering

SpaceX$100K — $140K *
Aerospace & Defense
Less than 5 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in an engineering discipline
  • 1+ years of hands-on experience with mechanical, electrical, or fluid systems
  • Advanced degree in engineering preferred (mechatronics, mechanical, aerospace, electrical, computer)
  • 3+ years of experience in designing and testing complex systems preferred
  • Experience with test plans and multi-disciplinary system integration
  • Familiarity with hazardous systems and large assembly moves
  • Clear communication skills across diverse teams

Responsibilities

  • Process Falcon 9 vehicles for rapid, reliable re-use
  • Develop procedures for rocket integration and checkout
  • Lead hands-on assembly and testing of vehicle assemblies
  • Collaborate with engineering teams to ensure flight readiness
  • Guide skilled technicians in daily operations
  • Design tools for vehicle assembly and system testing
  • Identify high-risk processes and implement improvements

Benefits

  • Comprehensive medical, vision, and dental coverage
  • 401(k) retirement plan
  • Short and long-term disability insurance
  • Life insurance
  • Paid parental leave
  • 3 weeks of paid vacation plus 10 or more paid holidays
  • Paid sick leave following company policy
  • Employee stock purchase plan available at a discount
Full Job Description
LAUNCH ENGINEER, FALCON ENGINEERING

RESPONSIBILITIES:
  • Process Falcon 9 flight vehicles in the pursuit of rapid and reliable rocket re-use, integration and launch
  • Develop and execute procedures for the checkout and integration of new and flight proven rockets and ground support equipment
  • Assist with and lead hands-on assembly, integration, and testing of new and flight-proven vehicle assemblies
  • Lead critical on-site operations while collaborating with engineering staff from other departments and SpaceX locations to resolve off-nominal test results and ensure flight readiness
  • Partner with, and provide direction to highly skilled field technicians on a daily basis
  • Design and develop tools and hardware to enable vehicle assembly and conduct vehicle system testing
  • Identify high-risk processes and problems during flight hardware processing, and proactively implement improvements to ensure operational excellence
  • Lead and facilitate root cause and corrective action investigations to ensure that issues related to product reliability and quality that cause downstream disruption are corrected
  • Rapidly develop and refine manufacturing assembly procedures based on lessons learned
  • Manage work orders and the driving of non-conformances into actionable items and system improvements

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:
  • Bachelor's degree in an engineering discipline
  • 1+ years of hands-on experience with mechanical, electrical and/or fluid systems in the design, manufacturing, or implementation phases (class projects and/or internship experience qualifies)

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:
  • Advanced degree in one of the following engineering disciplines: mechatronics, mechanical engineering, aerospace engineering, electrical engineering, or computer engineering
  • 3+ years of professional experience designing, building, integrating, and testing complex multi-disciplinary systems
  • Experience writing test plans and test procedures
  • Experience working on projects that involve the integration of electrical, mechanical, and software systems (launch vehicle and/or spacecraft experience is not required)
  • Proficient in or hands-on experience with one or more of the following: launch vehicle or spacecraft integration; composite structure design or testing; test operations with gases/fluids; data acquisition setup and field measurements
  • Professional experience testing and operating with or around hazardous systems (high pressure, high energy, hazardous gases/fluids, etc.)
  • Professional experience working with large assembly moves (e.g. crane operations)
  • Flight hardware avionics experience
  • Ability to communicate clearly and accurately with a wide range of people
  • Ability to work in a fast-paced, autonomously driven, and demanding start-up atmosphere
  • Ability to learn, lead others, and help others learn while maintaining productivity
  • Advanced degree in electrical engineering, computer engineering, computer science, mechatronics, mechanical engineering, and/or aerospace engineering

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:
  • Ability to pass Air Force background check for Vandenberg Space Force Base
  • Physical effort including standing, lifting and carrying moderately heavy materials or equipment (15 to 35 lbs.)
  • Overall mental fitness with the ability to work in a high-concentration, high-stress environment requiring prolonged mental concentration (under possible extended work hours)
  • Ability to be flexible on shifts
  • Occasional travel may be required
COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS:

Pay Range:
Level 1: $100,000.00 - $117,500.00
Level 2: $115,000.00 - $140,000.00

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.

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

Similar Jobs

More Jobs at SpaceX

More Aerospace & Defense Jobs

Find similar Launch Engineer, Falcon Engineering jobs: