Mechanical Design Engineer (Starship Components) at SpaceX · Hawthorne

Summary: 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. The Propulsion Components team develops advanced spacecraft and launch vehicle components, and the Mechanical Design Engineer will design, develop, and characterize components for flow control devices and mechanisms, ensuring high performance and reliability in extreme conditions. Responsibilities: - Develop state-of-the-art, manufacturable flow control devices (valves, regulators, solenoids) and mechanisms (flap/fin/payload door actuators) across Starship and Super Heavy stage systems. Question requirements, delete parts and processes, simplify/optimize, accelerate, and automate component deliveries - Partner with manufacturing, production, testing, and supply chain to achieve SpaceX’s highest-yet component build rate, striving for high factory yield and automotive volume/cost. Accelerate component delivery to >1 full stacked launch vehicle per month - Generate and maintain detailed drawings, component specifications, analysis and risk assessments - Spearhead root cause investigations that arise in development, production, test, integration and launch, implement corrective actions to prevent repeat failures - Set the standard for rigorous component design and qualification testing, increasing scrutiny as the vehicle matures in pursuit of commercial and crewed orbital missions - Target zero in-flight anomalies of propulsion components. Reduce component-caused production and launch delays, and minimize containments - Act as the chief engineer, collaborating with stage/component teams to arrive at the simplest solution for the vehicle. Inform system-level architecture, with component capabilities and vulnerabilities in mind, to minimize cost of payload to orbit Required Qualifications: - Bachelor's degree in physics or an engineering discipline - 1+ years of mechanical design/hands-on manufacturing experience (internships and project teams qualify) - Travel to vendors and other SpaceX sites as needed - Able to work flexible hours and occasional weekend support as needed Preferred Qualifications: - Strong interpersonal and collaborative skills, enthusiasm for problem solving, and desire to optimize modern rocket production and launch processes - 1+ years of experience designing and analyzing mechanical systems via professional work experience, project/research-based student experience, or a combination of both - Master's degree or 1+ years of professional experience in mechanical or aerospace engineering - Experience designing, building, testing and troubleshooting mechanical systems - Strong project management skills and effective communication of technical concepts across multi-disciplinary teams - Hands-on experience with fluid, gas, or high voltage systems - Leadership experience on a project or research team - Experience using test instrumentation and control components (e.g. pressure transducers, thermocouples, resistance temperature detectors, relays, solenoid valves, etc.) - Knowledge of electro-mechanical devices, gear trains, actuators, motors, valves, regulators, or other fluid and position control devices - Understanding of fundamental principals in fluid systems and solid mechanics Required Skills: Mechanical design, Manufacturing, Mechanical systems design, analysis, Mechanical systems testing, troubleshooting, Fluid systems, Gas systems, High voltage systems, Test instrumentation, Control components, Electro-mechanical devices, Gear trains, Actuators, Motors, Valves, Regulators, Solid mechanics, Project management Benefits: Long-term incentives, in the form of company stock, stock options, or long-term cash awards, Potential discretionary bonuses, Ability to purchase additional stock at a discount through an Employee Stock Purchase Plan, Comprehensive medical, vision, and dental coverage, 401(k) retirement plan, Short and long-term disability insurance, Life insurance, Paid parental leave, Various other discounts and perks, 3 weeks of paid vacation, 10 or more paid holidays per year, Paid sick leave pursuant to Company policy which satisfies or exceeds the accrual, carryover, and use requirements of the law