Propulsion Engineer, Chamber and Nozzle Manufacturing (Raptor) Verified today

Propulsion Engineer, Chamber and Nozzle Manufacturing (Raptor)

SpaceX is seeking an engineer to focus on manufacturing the world's most powerful combustion chamber and nozzle. These components feature complex geometries including intricate regenerative cooling channels, thin-walled high-temperature alloys, and tight-tolerance surfaces that must survive extreme thermal and pressure cycles across hundreds of reuse cycles.

You will design, implement, and scale manufacturing processes that increase production throughput, improve dimensional accuracy and repeatability, and reduce cycle times while maintaining the extreme quality required for Starship. This role combines propulsion engineering knowledge with manufacturing process development and data-driven production. Your work will directly enable rapid iteration and high-volume production of Raptor chambers and nozzles.

Responsibilities

• Own the fabrication, processes, and assembly of Raptor thrust chamber and nozzle extension hardware, including development and optimization of manufacturing methods for fabrication, joining, finishing, and verification.
• Create and refine manufacturing strategies, work instructions, custom fixtures, tooling, and workholding solutions for complex components.
• Build and maintain data pipelines that capture manufacturing telemetry to enable statistical process control, predictive analytics, and machine learning models for defect reduction and process optimization.
• Partner closely with propulsion design, materials, production, and supply chain teams to convert new designs into robust, scalable processes, resolve nonconformances, and drive design changes that improve manufacturability, reliability, and performance.
• Maintain holistic ownership of the production line, including process consistency, quality, capital equipment, ergonomics, safety, facility layouts, and the introduction of new products and revisions.
• Challenge existing processes daily while collaborating with multi-disciplinary engineers and technicians to support high-rate production, on-time delivery, test, and launch operations.
• Own manufacturing software, documentation, simulation, version control, and process standardization; interface with internal and external fabrication, automation, and materials teams to meet production goals.

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in an engineering discipline.
• 1+ years of hands-on experience with manufacturing process development for complex metallic components.

Preferred Skills and Experience

• Ability to work well in an integrated and collaborative team environment including daily interactions with technicians, engineers, and managers.
• Experience with manufacturing techniques, processes, and equipment such as machining, brazing, welding, forming, tube bending, structural assembly.
• Understanding of test methods, setups, and data acquisition systems.
• Experience generating, reading, and interpreting engineering drawings.
• Expertise in design for manufacturability (DFM) with demonstrable success at taking products through development, testing, and production.
• Highly self-motivated with strong organizational and written/oral communication skills, able to prioritize and execute tasks in a high-pressure environment with ongoing drive for continuous improvement.

Additional Requirements

• Must be able to stand for long durations (8 hours minimum) and work directly with hardware on the floor.
• Must be comfortable stooping, bending, and standing.
• Must be willing to work extended hours and weekends as needed.
• 10% travel in support of launch and test of hardware.
• Flexibility in working hours to production and launch cadence.

Compensation

Level 1: $100,000 to $130,000 per year
Level 2: $115,000 to $160,000 per year

Actual level and base salary determined on a case-by-case basis based on job-related knowledge and skills, education, and experience.

Base salary is one part of total rewards. You may be eligible for long-term incentives in the form of company stock or long-term cash awards, discretionary bonuses, and an Employee Stock Purchase Plan. Benefits include comprehensive medical, vision, and dental coverage; 401(k) retirement plan; short and long-term disability insurance; life insurance; paid parental leave; 3 weeks paid vacation; 10 or more paid holidays per year; and paid sick leave.

ITAR Requirements

To conform to U.S. Government export regulations, applicant must be a U.S. citizen or national, U.S. lawful permanent resident (green card holder), Refugee under 8 U.S.C. 1157, or Asylee under 8 U.S.C. 1158, or be eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.