SpaceX was founded under the belief that a future where humanity is out exploring the stars is fundamentally more exciting than one where we are not. Today SpaceX is actively developing the technologies to make this possible, with the ultimate goal of enabling human life on Mars.
BUILD ENGINEER, STRUCTURES (STARSHIP)
As a build engineer, you will utilize your knowledge, experience, and creativity to develop novel engineered solutions for flight and manufacturing hardware. You will own the development of flight hardware and build processes (welding, large part movement, structures integration) for the most powerful rocket in history, Starship.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Work closely with vehicle analysts and design team to ensure solutions meet the requirements for vehicle design as well as the manufacturing processes
- Develop production procedures/processes and manage the transition of parts and assemblies from development to high-rate production
- Coordinate and execute development, qualification, and acceptance testing of systems and tooling needed to meet hardware deadlines
- Execute design for manufacturability changes to enhance production efficiency
- Create original CAD models and prints for flight and/or tooling components
- Lead the on-site design engineering contact for the efficient build of parts and assemblies
- Create and maintain build schedules
- Resolve and analyze manufacturing discrepancies while interfacing with the quality team (resolving issues for design, fabrication, and assembly)
- Participate in design reviews internally and with suppliers and customers
- Partner with engineering & production teams to generate ideas, designs, and improvements for current and next-generation vehicles
- Source, retain, and advise new and experienced vendors from a technical perspective
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:
- Bachelor's degree in an engineering discipline
- 1+ years of engineering experience in manufacturing or production (internship and school projects experience qualify)
PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:
- Master’s degree in mechanical, manufacturing, aerospace, materials or industrial engineering
- Involvement in a professional engineering society or collegiate design project
- Experience with the build, assembly, or integration of large mechanical assemblies
- Knowledge of metallic manufacturing techniques, processes, and equipment related to welding, metal forming, fastening, drilling, bonding and automation
- Mechanical component and/or tooling design and analysis experience using 3D CAD software
- Experience with design for manufacture and assembly (DFMA)
- Experience transitioning complex products from R&D to high-volume manufacturing in a fast-paced environment
- Experience writing work instructions and procedures for critical aerospace parts
- Experience in a production environment within the aerospace industry
ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:
- Flight hardware typically is built in tight quarters, and physical dexterity is required
- Ability to perform job duties that require standing, kneeling, crouching, twisting upper body, working in cramped positions in small openings, and climbing hand over hand
- Typically exposed to work in extreme outdoor environments – heat, cold, rain
- Work performed in an environment requiring exposure to fumes, odors, and noise
- Schedule varies depending on site operational needs; flexibility required
- Flexibility to travel to remote build sites
COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS:
Pay range:
Build Engineer/Level I: $95,000.00 - $115,000.00/per year
Build 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.
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. Learn more about the ITAR here.
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.
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 notify the Human Resources Department at (310) 363-6000.
Top Skills
What We Do
SpaceX designs, manufactures and launches the world’s most advanced rockets and spacecraft. The company was founded in 2002 by Elon Musk to revolutionize space transportation, with the ultimate goal of making life multiplanetary.
SpaceX has gained worldwide attention for a series of historic milestones. It is the only private company ever to return a spacecraft from low-Earth orbit, which it first accomplished in December 2010. The company made history again in May 2012 when its Dragon spacecraft attached to the International Space Station, exchanged cargo payloads, and returned safely to Earth — a technically challenging feat previously accomplished only by governments. Since then Dragon has delivered cargo to and from the space station multiple times, providing regular cargo resupply missions for NASA.
