New Graduate Engineer, Mechanical
SpaceX · McGregor, TX · 1 wk ago
On-siteEngineeringFull-time
Responsibilities
- Develop and execute tests at the engine and component level to evaluate hardware performance and survivability during the mission
- Repeated ownership of test campaigns, including test plan creation, new system activation, test operations, data review, and test stand equipment design/fabrication
- Provide daily directions and instructions to technicians to fabricate and integrate test articles and stand equipment
- Develop and maintain test procedures, sequences, scripts, configuration files, and software
- Operate and troubleshoot data acquisition and control systems, wiring, and instrumentation (DAQ systems are primarily National Instruments-based)
- Operate and troubleshoot fluid and mechanical systems that include low to high-pressure gaseous working fluids and rocket propellants (including hypergols & cryogenics) as well as structural components and supporting infrastructure
- Operate mechanical systems; these include test stand support structures, heat exchangers, vacuum pumps, tooling, and fluid components such as valves, reliefs, burst disks, tubing, etc.
- Automate repetitive test operations to increase efficiency and safety
- Develop innovative processes to increase testing capability and rates, while maintaining high rigor of safety
- Identify and characterize system pitfalls and potential hazards, then work to resolve such anomalies by collaborating with design engineers on improvements for test stands and flight hardware
- Ground Support Equipment:
- Analyze, design, and build systems that support testing of fully integrated flight vehicles, individual rocket engines, and various rocket components
- Drive cradle-to-grave ownership of engineering projects through design reviews, decision justifications, equipment procurement, and coordination/participation in the construction of your ideas
- Work directly with skilled technicians to build your designs and fix real-world problems on the fly
- Maintain a tight feedback loop with the test operations team to rapidly alter plans as necessary to meet tight testing deadlines critical to company success
- Operate and troubleshoot equipment to achieve testing objectives, and apply lessons learned to iterate system designs for improved performance and maintenance
- Evaluate complex engineering needs and arrive at solutions to seemingly impractical problems that support test programs and achieve company objectives
- Take a hands-on approach to tackling rapidly emerging field projects that keep the company testing rocket engines and vehicles every single day
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
- Bachelor's degree in an engineering discipline or physics
- 1+ years of mechanical and/or fluids engineering experience via project team, research, internships, and/or professional experience
- Graduating with a bachelor’s degree, master’s degree or PhD in 2026 or 2027
PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE
- Strong fundamental understanding and intuition for fluid, structural, or mechanical systems
- Critical thinking and problem solving in stressful, dynamic situations
- Positive responses and outcomes to challenges posed by short deadlines
- Hands-on build—machining, welding, and other fabrication techniques are a plus
- Creativity to imagine and design for reliability, efficiency, and maintainability from scratch
- Driven approach to addressing challenges and opportunities—an enthusiastic, self-motivated, positive, can-do attitude
- Determining the best solution among several options, often balancing cost/schedule/complexity
- Acute attention to detail and ability to see interactions with related systems to avoid problems
- Instrumentation and testing, data review and analysis, verification of models against reality
- High-pressure or cryogenic fluid systems and components
- Complex structural or mechanical systems and components
- Design verification with simplified hand calculations and complex modeling—FEA or CFD is a plus
- Production of fabrication drawings for parts to be machined or welded
- Intermediate skill level using CAD—Siemens NX is a plus
- ASME piping and pressure vessel design
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills
- 3+ years of engineering design experience in an industrial setting or equivalent
ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS
- Ability to work both independently and as part of a team, take individual initiative, and communicate effectively with peers, leadership, and customers
- Ability to rapidly change roles/responsibilities while maintaining a high sense of urgency in a fast-paced, challenging work environment
- Willingness to perform other related duties for the purpose of ensuring an efficient and effective work environment
- Availability to respond to emergencies to support priority projects, missions, and launches
- Availability to work extended hours and weekends as needed; flexibility is required
- Ability to perform job duties that require standing, kneeling, crouching, twisting the upper body, working in cramped positions in small openings, and climbing hand over hand
- Ability to lift heavy objects unassisted—up to 25 lbs.
- Ability to work at elevated heights with proper PPE—up to 300 ft.
- Ability to work in extreme outdoor environments when needed—heat, cold, wind, rain, etc.
- Ability to work in environments with exposure to fumes, odors, and noise
- Working conditions may be in tight quarters; physical dexterity is required
ITAR REQUIREMENTS
- To conform to U.S. Government export regulations, applicant must be a (i) U.S. citizen or national, (ii) U.S. lawful, permanent resident (aka green card holder), (iii) Refugee under 8 U.S.C. § 1157, or (iv) Asylee under 8 U.S.C. § 1158, or be eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State. Learn more about the ITAR here.