SPACE EXPLORATION TECHNOLOGIES CORP
Propulsion Engineer (Merlin Thrust Chamber)
SPACE EXPLORATION TECHNOLOGIES CORP, Hawthorne, California, United States, 90250
PROPULSION ENGINEER (MERLIN THRUST CHAMBER)
As a Merlin Propulsion Engineer, you will own all aspects of ongoing Merlin Thrust Chamber Assembly (TCA) design, development, qualification, and production support for both the Merlin 1D (M1D) and Merlin 1D Vacuum (MVacD) engines. In this role, you will utilize your strong technical knowledge of metallic structures, materials, fluid systems, and analysis techniques to ensure rapid production and maximum reliability of the Merlin engines. You will fully integrate with the Merlin development, production, test, refurbishment, and flight operations teams as we fly commercial, science/exploration, national security, and crewed missions at a pace of 144+ flights per year.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
Support build, test, and flight of MerlinThrust Chamber Assemblies for SpaceX’s Falcon 9 and Falcon Heavy reusable launch vehicles on-site at SpaceX’s Hawthorne, CA headquarters
Work with manufacturing engineers to ensure TCA and key sub-assemblies are manufactured correctly and efficiently
Generate accurate, precise, and thoughtfully-dimensioned CAD models and drawings for the TCA, and ensure that these drawings are able to be efficiently manufactured with the available processes (or develop new processes to enable them)
Perform and/or review detailed structural, thermal, and fluid analyses on all TCA components/systems, and confirm that they meet the required standards for life, performance, and reliability targets
Lead new and ongoing design and process improvements to maximize rapid manufacturability and reliability of the M1D and MVacD TCA
Lead the resolution of issues encountered with the TCA during testing or flight operations
Support M1D and MVacD engine test teams for development, qualification, and production engine tests
Support launch and refurbishment teams remotely and on-site to ensure reliability during continued engine reuse
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:
Bachelor’s degree in an engineering discipline
1+ years of experience in TCA or rocket engine development (includes internships, personal projects, and school or team projects)
PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:
Master’s degree in an engineering discipline
Hands-on experience with rocket engines of any size
3+ years of experience in TCA or rocket engine development (includes internships, personal projects, and school or team projects)
Experience with TCA or rocket engine development in a professional setting (e.g. as a contracted research assistant, for a commercial product, etc.)
Experience with thrust chamber manufacturing and design for manufacturability
Experience with thrust chamber testing and engine firing
Full engineering lifecycle experience (design trade, CAD design, prototyping, manufacturing, testing, qualification, production, reuse)
Experience at a nimble engineering organization or in a highly technical position that required a scrappy, entrepreneurial manner to accomplish tasks with tight time or budget constraints
Strong understanding of thermodynamics, compressible and incompressible flow, heat transfer, structures, and metallic material science
Experience with thrust chamber design and analysis (e.g. thermal/fluid CFD, structural analysis via hand calcs and FEA, fatigue/fracture mechanics)
Professional experience using Siemens NX (Unigraphics) and ANSYS strongly preferred, Fluent or other comparable CFD package also desirable
Great attitude in the face of extreme technical and schedule challenges
Demonstrated track record of excellent academic and professional achievement
Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with both internal and external customers
Ability to deliver against an aggressive schedule, without sacrificing safety or reliability
ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:
Willingness to travel to McGregor, TX in support of testing, and to Cape Canaveral, FL and Vandenberg, CA in support of launching and refurbishing
Willingness to work extended hours and weekends as needed to resolve critical technical issues
Ability to pass Air Force background checks for Cape Canaveral and Vandenberg
COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS:
Pay range:
Propulsion Engineer/Level I: $95,000.00 - $115,000.00/per year
Propulsion 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. Exempt employees are eligible for 5 days of sick leave per year.
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As a Merlin Propulsion Engineer, you will own all aspects of ongoing Merlin Thrust Chamber Assembly (TCA) design, development, qualification, and production support for both the Merlin 1D (M1D) and Merlin 1D Vacuum (MVacD) engines. In this role, you will utilize your strong technical knowledge of metallic structures, materials, fluid systems, and analysis techniques to ensure rapid production and maximum reliability of the Merlin engines. You will fully integrate with the Merlin development, production, test, refurbishment, and flight operations teams as we fly commercial, science/exploration, national security, and crewed missions at a pace of 144+ flights per year.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
Support build, test, and flight of MerlinThrust Chamber Assemblies for SpaceX’s Falcon 9 and Falcon Heavy reusable launch vehicles on-site at SpaceX’s Hawthorne, CA headquarters
Work with manufacturing engineers to ensure TCA and key sub-assemblies are manufactured correctly and efficiently
Generate accurate, precise, and thoughtfully-dimensioned CAD models and drawings for the TCA, and ensure that these drawings are able to be efficiently manufactured with the available processes (or develop new processes to enable them)
Perform and/or review detailed structural, thermal, and fluid analyses on all TCA components/systems, and confirm that they meet the required standards for life, performance, and reliability targets
Lead new and ongoing design and process improvements to maximize rapid manufacturability and reliability of the M1D and MVacD TCA
Lead the resolution of issues encountered with the TCA during testing or flight operations
Support M1D and MVacD engine test teams for development, qualification, and production engine tests
Support launch and refurbishment teams remotely and on-site to ensure reliability during continued engine reuse
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:
Bachelor’s degree in an engineering discipline
1+ years of experience in TCA or rocket engine development (includes internships, personal projects, and school or team projects)
PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:
Master’s degree in an engineering discipline
Hands-on experience with rocket engines of any size
3+ years of experience in TCA or rocket engine development (includes internships, personal projects, and school or team projects)
Experience with TCA or rocket engine development in a professional setting (e.g. as a contracted research assistant, for a commercial product, etc.)
Experience with thrust chamber manufacturing and design for manufacturability
Experience with thrust chamber testing and engine firing
Full engineering lifecycle experience (design trade, CAD design, prototyping, manufacturing, testing, qualification, production, reuse)
Experience at a nimble engineering organization or in a highly technical position that required a scrappy, entrepreneurial manner to accomplish tasks with tight time or budget constraints
Strong understanding of thermodynamics, compressible and incompressible flow, heat transfer, structures, and metallic material science
Experience with thrust chamber design and analysis (e.g. thermal/fluid CFD, structural analysis via hand calcs and FEA, fatigue/fracture mechanics)
Professional experience using Siemens NX (Unigraphics) and ANSYS strongly preferred, Fluent or other comparable CFD package also desirable
Great attitude in the face of extreme technical and schedule challenges
Demonstrated track record of excellent academic and professional achievement
Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with both internal and external customers
Ability to deliver against an aggressive schedule, without sacrificing safety or reliability
ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:
Willingness to travel to McGregor, TX in support of testing, and to Cape Canaveral, FL and Vandenberg, CA in support of launching and refurbishing
Willingness to work extended hours and weekends as needed to resolve critical technical issues
Ability to pass Air Force background checks for Cape Canaveral and Vandenberg
COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS:
Pay range:
Propulsion Engineer/Level I: $95,000.00 - $115,000.00/per year
Propulsion 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. Exempt employees are eligible for 5 days of sick leave per year.
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