Mechanical Engineer (Crew Starship Avionics)

MECHANICAL ENGINEER (CREW STARSHIP AVIONICS)

After 50 years, humankind will once again return to the surface of the moon using SpaceX’s new vehicle, Crew Starship (also known as HLS or the Human Landing System) – this time for good. Starship will usher in the next era of crewed spaceflight and exploration, ultimately allowing us to establish permanent communities on the Moon, Mars, and beyond. As a Mechanical Engineer on the Crew Starship team, you will design and build spacecraft systems that are critical to the success and safety of future astronauts. Disciplines within this team include primary and secondary structures, mechanisms, and crew-interfacing hardware. Your design solutions will be driven by all future Crew Starship missions (Lunar, Mars, etc.). This role requires full hardware ownership, from initial design requirements and concepts all the way through design, analysis, prototype, qualification, and integration.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Act as extreme owner for electro-mechanical aspects of high reliability spacecraft electronics used on Crew Starship vehicles


• Design electronic packaging, vehicle mounting, and environmental protection for avionics hardware and harnessing


• Support flight hardware, from conception through build, qualification, and ultimately flight operations


• Perform in depth first principles analysis, finite element analysis (FEA), and hand calculations to optimize designs for flight environments


• Select mechanical components and materials, capture designs using computer-aided design (CAD) and configuration management tools, and provide formal documentation for product development milestones


• Assist with architecture definition, capturing product requirements, manufacturing planning, and production test


• Execute development and qualification testing campaigns to exercise designs to their limits and ensure reliable flight hardware


• Directly support NASA with deliverables for Crew Starship milestones


• Work with experts from other teams and departments to ensure that fielded systems perform their function while being efficient, manufacturable, and reliable; challenge assumptions and build strong professional relationships

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree in mechanical or aerospace engineering


• 1+ years of experience with mechanical/electromechanical hardware design and analysis (research and extracurricular academic projects qualify)

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE

• Passion for spaceflight and electro-mechanical design for high reliability applications


• Experience with CAD and FEA software packages, and very strong first-principles engineering fundamentals


• Experience in design, CAD, FEA, GD&T, defining test plans, designing test setups, and executing hardware environmental qualification tests


• Basic understanding of electrical components and packaging, for example with computers, displays, control panels, sensors, motors, batteries, solar, radio-frequency (RF), and harnessing components


• Understanding of structural analysis and failure modes of complex mechanical systems


• Hands-on experience with mechanism/structures design, prototyping, and precision mechanical assembly


• Familiarity with design-for-manufacture and design-for-cost


• Familiar with how to write software for test automation, data review, and design analysis, preferably in MATLAB or Python


• Basic project management skills and demonstrated ability to collaborate with other engineering disciplines


• Excellent verbal and written communication skills

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Extended hours and weekend work may be required to support critical project and mission milestones


• Occasional travel may be required to Starbase, Texas

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS:
Pay range:
Mechanical Engineer/Level I: $95,000.00 - $115,000.00/per year
Mechanical Engineer/Level II: $110,000.00 - $130,000.00/per year

Your actual level and base salary will be determined on a case-by-case basis and may vary based on the following considerations: job-related knowledge and skills, education, and experience.

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, stock options, 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.