Mechanical Engineer (Starship Components… at SpaceX · Hawthorne

Summary: SpaceX is a company focused on developing technologies for human exploration of space, with the ultimate goal of enabling human life on Mars. The Mechanical Engineer in the Starship Components Manufacturing team will design and build high-quality flow control devices and mechanisms for the Starship and Super Heavy, ensuring maximum reliability in extreme environments. Responsibilities: - Design the factory and process to deliver state-of-the-art, high-quality flow control devices (valves, regulators) and mechanisms (flap/fin/gimbal motor actuators) for Starship and Super Heavy - Question assembly/test requirements, delete parts and manufacturing processes, simplify/optimize production flow, accelerate production, and cut-in targeted automation. Implement linear production flow, visual indicators of bottlenecks/stock-outs, and product-specific build/test cells for low-intervention production - Work closely with development and design engineers, internal machine shops, and external vendors to make parts that are designed for manufacturability - Maintain robust but simple work instructions and track defects/part movement in a lightweight and scalable manner. Implement flight-like acceptance testing - Support component level testing such as proof and leak, fluid flow, cryogenic and functional checkouts. Solve production yield investigations - Target zero workmanship defects and minimize fleet containments. Increase factory scrutiny as the products mature in pursuit of commercial and crewed orbital missions 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 - Available to work long hours and weekends as needed Preferred Qualifications: - Leadership or mentorship experience and the ability to effectively communicate with all levels in the organization (technicians, engineers, exec team) - Experience in build/test development and on-time delivery of new components - Experience working with fluid and electromechanical components such as valves, actuators, regulators, motors, gear trains, and sensors - Knowledge of principles of fluid dynamics, mechanics, materials, thermodynamics, and electrical circuits - Proficient in interpretation of fluid schematics, engineering drawings, circuit layouts, and parts lists - Experience in software development in SQL, Python or C# Required Skills: Mechanical design, Manufacturing, Build/test development, Fluid dynamics, Electromechanical components, Valves, Actuators, Regulators, Motors, Gear trains, Sensors, Materials science, Thermodynamics, Electrical circuits, Interpretation of fluid schematics, Engineering drawings, Circuit layouts, Parts lists, SQL, Python, C# 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