Propulsion Engineer (Merlin Hardware Development)

Responsibilities

• Serve as the Responsible Engineer for a Merlin engine component or system, where you will be the primary technical point of contact for your hardware through the complete life cycle
• Lead Merlin development and qualification test campaigns for hardware improvements or root cause investigations
• Design, analyze, produce, and operate Merlin propulsion hardware and systems across development and flight operations
• Partner with engineers and technicians across production, test, launch, avionics, GNC (guidance, navigation & control), software, mission management, and flight reliability to deliver flight-ready engines
• Brief commercial and government customers on hardware changes and issues as a technical authority for mission success
• Make sound, risk-informed decisions under time pressure, including during test and launch campaigns
• Implement and maintain hardware and software verification and validation using automation and process controls that scale with flight rate
• Develop and improve engine maintenance procedures with the launch site and test teams to improve hardware readiness and reduce turnaround time
• Lead anomaly investigations related to your hardware, drive rapid resolution, and implement corrective actions to prevent recurrence
• Build tools, especially while leveraging AI, to automate analysis, reduce repetitive work, and speed up engineering decisions
• Run multiple concurrent projects, prioritizing against program milestones and business needs while maintaining excellent attention to detail

Requirements

• Basic Qualifications
• Bachelor’s degree in an engineering discipline or physics
• 1+ years of academic or professional hands-on experience performing fabrication, assembly, and/or testing
• 1+ years of academic or professional experience using CAD to design parts/assemblies

• Preferred Skills And Experience
• Master’s degree in mechanical engineering or aeronautical/astronautical engineering
• 1+ years of academic or professional experience related to combustion devices or rocket engine development
• Strong foundation in fluid mechanics (compressible and incompressible), thermodynamics, combustion, structures/fracture mechanics, and materials—and the judgment to apply them to real hardware decisions
• Experience with manufacturing processes such as CNC mill/lathe, welding, castings, additive, etc. and proficient with the fundamentals of Design for Manufacturing/Assembly (DFMA)
• Experience across the full engineering lifecycle—from design trade and CAD through manufacturing, test, qualification, production, and flight/operations
• Experience performing risk assessments or supporting timely closure of root-cause investigations
• Analytical/scientific programming experience (Python, Matlab, etc.)
• Experience using Siemens NX (Unigraphics) and ANSYS preferred, Fluent or other comparable CFD package also desirable
• Comfortable briefing senior leadership and external customers on technical risk and hardware status
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with both internal and external customers

Additional Requirements

• Ability to travel in support of testing, launching, and maintenance of engine hardware (up to 10%)
• Ability to pass Air Force background checks for Cape Canaveral and Vandenberg
• Willingness to work extended hours and weekends when production, test, or launch timelines require it

Pay Range

• Level 1: $100,000.00 - $117,500.00
• Level 2: $115,000.00 - $140,000.00

Benefits

• Base salary is just one part of your total rewards package at SpaceX. You may also be eligible for long-term incentives, in the form of company stock or long-term cash awards, as well as potential discretionary bonuses and the ability to purchase additional stock at a discount through an Employee Stock Purchase Plan.
• You will also receive 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, and various other discounts and perks.
• You may also accrue 3 weeks of paid vacation and will be 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.

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.

Equal Opportunity Employer

• SpaceX is an Equal Opportunity Employer; employment with SpaceX is governed on the basis of merit, competence and qualifications and will not be influenced in any manner by race, color, religion, gender, national origin/ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, mental or physical disability or any other legally protected status.

Contact Information

• Applicants wishing to view a copy of SpaceX’s Affirmative Action Plan for veterans and individuals with disabilities, or applicants requiring reasonable accommodation to the application/interview process should reach out to EEOCompliance@spacex.com.