Propulsion Engineer (Falcon Flight Operations) Verified today

Propulsion Engineer (Falcon Flight Operations)

The Falcon Flight Operations team delivers Falcon and its payloads to orbit rapidly and reliably. As a Propulsion Engineer, you ensure flightworthiness of Falcon propulsion hardware and software from initial build through acceptance testing and into flight operations. You drive reliability improvements and rate-enabling initiatives to maintain Falcon's position as the most-flown, most-reliable launch vehicle.

Falcon hardware within scope includes M1D engines, MVacD engines, and Stage 1 and Stage 2 systems: propellant measurement, management and feed systems; tank pressurization; attitude control; pneumatic and hydraulic systems; primary and secondary structures; and thermal protection systems.

Responsibilities

• Develop comprehensive understanding of Falcon propulsion systems
• Make critical decisions for Merlin and Stage Propulsion hardware processing during build, test, integration, and flight to ensure mission success
• Define, implement, and validate acceptance and operational requirements to promote reliability and rapid reusability
• Take primary responsibility for Merlin engines or Stage Propulsion hardware success for assigned test or launch campaigns
• Support test and launch operations across all SpaceX facilities, including live console support from mission control
• Perform post-test and post-flight data reviews; provide technical recommendations to Vehicle Maintenance team for rapid hardware reuse
• Solve undefined multi-disciplinary problems; interface with engineering and technician teams across production, test, launch, avionics, structures, guidance, navigation and control, thermal and fluid analysis, software, and flight reliability
• Work with commercial and government customers to reduce technical debt, mitigate flight risks, and ensure hardware and software reliability
• Lead propulsion anomaly investigations to resolution
• Develop automation capabilities for extreme launch cadence using coding for test and flight data analysis, flight software verification, and engineering processes
• Optimize recurring test and mission tasks for increasingly demanding launch manifest

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in an engineering discipline
• 1+ years of experience working with engines or fluid systems

Preferred Skills and Experience

• Master's degree in mechanical engineering or aeronautical/astronautical engineering
• Analytical/scientific programming experience
• Experience in collaborative coding within version-controlled repositories (e.g., Git)
• Experience with Python
• Strong foundation in fluid mechanics (compressible and incompressible), thermodynamics, combustion, structures/fracture mechanics, and materials
• Familiarity with liquid propellant rocket engine cycles, launch vehicle fluid systems, and components
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills; ability to present recommendations to stakeholders, customers, and management
• Hands-on hardware experience in fabrication, assembly, and/or testing (professional, academic, entrepreneurial, or hobby setting)
• Experience testing liquid propellant rockets and/or working with pneumatic systems, hydraulic systems, cryogenic propellants, pressure control devices, valves, tubes/pipes, diffusers, and fittings
• Experience with pad, launch, or flight operations for integrated vehicles
• Demonstrated success in rapidly growing, changing, highly technical environments; ability to execute in scrappy, entrepreneurial manner against tight timelines
• Profound sense of personal ownership and extreme accountability
• Ability to think clearly and communicate concisely in high-pressure, time-critical situations
• Strong critical thinking and problem-solving skills; exceptional attention to detail

Additional Requirements

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

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 (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 required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.

Compensation and Benefits

Pay Range:

• Level 1: $100,000 - $130,000
• Level 2: $115,000 - $160,000

Your actual level and base salary will be 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 also be eligible for long-term incentives in the form of company stock or long-term cash awards, discretionary bonuses, and ability to purchase additional stock through 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; paid sick leave; and various other discounts and perks.