Launch Pad Engineer, Fluid Systems; Starship

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.

Aggressively-paced, constantly-evolving, results-focused, real-as-it-gets engineering positions available for the ambitious. We design, build, activate, modify, improve, and maintain the fluid and mechanical systems that launch the most powerful rocket in the world. You can plan on having your skills put to the test, having hardware you designed, made and installed the same day in a development-focused environment. From tens of thousands of gallons per minute of cryogens to tens of pounds per second of high-pressure gas, we develop clever solutions to meet the needs of a demanding launch and test program both today and for the future.

• Analyze, design, and build systems that support critical rocket launches and testing
• Cradle-to-grave project ownership through hosting design reviews, project decision justification, equipment procurement, and coordination and assistance of the construction of your ideas
• Design modular hardware capable of being manufactured at volume for future launch sites across the world
• Apply interdisciplinary engineering skills in fields of system level process design and initial sizing, detailed pressurized fluid and thermal analysis, structural engineering, materials and component selection and cost/schedule optimization
• Work directly with technicians and support groups to build your designs, and fix real-world problems on the fly
• Maintain a tight feedback loop with the launch operations team to rapidly alter plans as necessary to meet tight deadlines
• Activate and troubleshoot equipment to achieve design objectives and iterate system maintenance strategies to reduce future downtime
• Hands-on approach to tackling daily field projects necessary to keep the company launching rockets

• Bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering, chemical engineering, aerospace engineering, or other engineering discipline
• 1+ years of hands-on build or design experience (internship, club, and competition team experience qualifies)

• Ability to work independently as well as part of a team, take initiative, and communicate effectively
• Ability to rapidly change roles/responsibilities while maintaining a high sense of urgency in a high-paced, challenging work environment
• Willingness to perform other related duties for the purpose of ensuring an efficient and effective work environment
• Experience with quick-thinking and problem solving in stressful situations
• Experience solving challenges posed by short deadlines
• Strong fundamental intuition of fluid and/or structural/mechanical systems
• Creativity to imagine and design for reliability, efficiency, and maintainability from scratch
• General hands-on experience; machining, welding, and other fabrication techniques is a plus
• Experience with instrumentation, testing, data review and analysis, verification against an analytical model
• 3+ years of mechanical, fluids, or thermal design experience in an industrial setting or equivalent
• Experience with high pressure and cryogenic fluid systems and components
• Experience producing drawings for fabrication
• Collaborative team player, eager to find the best solution while balancing cost and schedule
• Acute attention to detail, ability to see interactions with other systems to avoid problems
• Intermediate skill level using CAD (NX a plus)
• Ability to verify designs with simplified hand calculations; experience in FEA or CFD is a plus
• American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) piping and pressure vessel design experience
• Creative and passionate approach to addressing opportunities and challenges, and an enthusiastic, self-motivated, positive can-do attitude
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills

• Ability to respond to emergencies to support priority projects, missions, and launches
• Ability to pass Air Force background check for…