Propulsion Thermal Analyst (Raptor Combustion… at SpaceX · Hawthorne

Summary: SpaceX is actively developing technologies to enable human life on Mars. The Propulsion Thermal Analyst role focuses on ensuring the thermal reliability of Raptor components in extreme environments, driving analysis, design, testing, and development for advanced rocket engines. Responsibilities: - Conduct, document, and present thermal analyses on Raptor hardware through FEA and first principles to inform design decisions and ensure reliability and performance requirements are met for all phases of flight - Own thermal design of Raptor hardware, from initial high-level analysis down to validation of performance with ground tests, flight, and orbital data - Collaborate with engineers and technicians across a range of disciplines including design, production, development test, launch, reliability and more to develop hardware that meets high-level engine and vehicle objectives - Take a practical, hands-on approach to model validation/verification, ensuring that model predictions are representative of design criteria and tied firmly to test data - Support ongoing design, manufacturing and reliability improvements to the engine, and ensure changes and new designs are properly analyzed and qualified Required Qualifications: - Bachelor's degree in an engineering discipline, or physics - 1+ years of academic or professional experience related to thermal analysis (extracurricular and internship experience qualifies) - Willingness to travel on occasion in support of testing - Willingness to work extended hours and weekends as needed to resolve critical technical issues Preferred Qualifications: - Master's degree in mechanical, aerospace, or materials engineering, or physics - 2+ years of academic or professional experience related to thermal analysis - Experience with Finite Element Analysis (FEA) software and post-processing - Experience with Thermal Desktop and/or ANSYS Workbench - Experience with 0-D and 1-D thermal/fluid networks - Hands-on experience with rocket engines/motors, automotive engine design, dynamic or complex static fluid systems - Able to perform hand calculations to validate and improve models - Excellent interpersonal and communication skills Required Skills: Thermal analysis, Finite Element Analysis (FEA), Thermal Desktop, ANSYS Workbench, 0-D thermal/fluid networks, 1-D thermal/fluid networks, Rocket engine design, Hand calculations 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, 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, Various other discounts and perks, 3 weeks of paid vacation, 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