Turbomachinery Engineer; Raptor

Space

X 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. Today Space

X is actively developing the technologies to make this possible, with the ultimate goal of enabling human life on Mars.

TURBO MACHINERY ENGINEER (RAPTOR)

Space

X is seeking a highly motivated Turbo machinery Engineer to join our team in designing and developing the next generation of turbopumps for Raptor. Lead the design, development and qualification of rocket turbopumps for multiple applications at Space

X, taking the designs from initial concept to flight. Conduct coupled aerodynamic/hydrodynamic and mechanical design and demonstrate a broad turbo machinery system understanding as well as the ability to work with a wider team of specialists in the various sub systems. Ensure that turbo machinery solutions are developed to meet challenging manufacturing goals, minimum cost/weight and on an aggressive schedule.

RESPONSIBILITES:

• Design, build and test turbopumps for liquid fueled rocket engines and other rocket or spacecraft systems
• Own critical turbo machinery components and be responsible for every aspect of the turbo machinery design, demonstrate ownership and work in close collaboration with manufacturing and assembling
• Perform the hydrodynamic sizing and flowpath design and analysis work for impellers and diffusers for the raptor engine and other turbo machinery for spacecraft systems
• Ensure that detailed mechanical analysis is performed on all the turbopump components/systems. Review drawings and make sure that selected designs meet the required standards for life and reliability targets
• Devise accurate and correct models, develop new methodologies and first principles-based tools to determine turbopump performance and operability. Push the boundary of the state of the art of turbo machinery designs by exploring innovative concepts
• Interface with our world-class production team to ensure designs are successfully translated into flight hardware that is revolutionizing access to space
• Work with teams developing other systems (vehicle, feedlines, valves, etc.) to ensure that the turbopump design is optimally integrated and that risks are well balanced across the system
• Own secondary flow analysis and design, ensure that current and future hardware meets performance targets
• Support both component and assembly testing. Be involved with defining the test configuration, the test process/execution and review the results to confirm
• Lead the resolution of issues encountered with the turbopump during development/qualification testing
• Support ongoing design improvements to turbopump assemblies and/or sub systems including manufacturing improvements to reduce cost and lead time of components

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s degree in an engineering discipline
• 1+ years of experience in the design of turbo machinery (extracurricular and internship experience qualifies)

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:

• Master's degree or higher in aerospace, aeronautics or mechanical engineering
• Strong understanding of pump hydrodynamic/aerodynamic design and fundamentals of turbo machinery (mechanical design, and hands on experience with turbo machinery hardware build).
• Strong understanding of thermodynamics, compressible and in compressible flow, thermochemistry mechanics and/or materials
• Experience with turbo machinery manufacturing and design of manufacturability
• Experience with secondary flow and axial thrust balance modeling
• Experience with meanline analysis, turbo machinery testing and engine testing
• Professional experience using Siemens NX (Unigraphics) or other CAD packages
• Experience with Ansys (CFX, Mechanical, Thermal)
• Understanding of engineering fundamentals and the ability to develop first principles based models and quick estimates
• Experience at a nimble engineering organization or in a highly technical position that required a scrappy, entrepreneurial manner to accomplish tasks with tight time or budget constraints

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Willingness to travel in support of launching and testing of hardware
• Willingness to work extended hours and weekends as needed to resolve critical…