Mechanical Engineer (Starship Components Manufacturing)

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
• 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

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree in physics or an engineering discipline
• 1+ years of mechanical design/hands-on manufacturing experience (internships and project teams qualify)

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE

• 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#

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS

• Travel to vendors and other SpaceX sites as needed
• Available to work long hours and weekends as needed