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.
STARSHIP ENGINEER, INTEGRATION
As a Starship integration engineer, you drive design to fit into specialized, high-rate factory stations; set up tool, material, and labor flow paths; and integrate propulsion, avionics, and structural components with novel techniques, constantly challenging requirements to delete parts or make them faster and more reliable to build. You will drive clean sheet change on V3 Starship and take on the massive challenge of designing the advanced rate production line for the V3, which will produce many variants of Starship, such as tankers, fuel depots, and the HLS (Human Landing System) for the Artemis program.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Get hands-on alongside technicians, specialists, and welders to integrate propulsion, avionics, and structural components and build the most massive and powerful second-stage launch vehicle
- Execute design, build, qualification, and acceptance testing of subassemblies, systems, and tooling needed to meet hardware deadlines
- Design the new Starship production line to accelerate the build and integration of systems and subassemblies and work in tandem with Starship design teams to maximize efficiency and minimize cost/ton to orbit
- Develop a deep understanding of vehicle structures, avionics, propulsion architecture, and how the vehicle operates as an integrated system
- Troubleshoot hardware issues in real-time and push feedback to correct owners to eliminate repeat issues
- Interface with design, build, and systems engineering teams, as well as production leadership and technicians, to ensure delivery of test-ready hardware on time
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:
- Bachelor's degree in an engineering discipline
- 1+ years of hands-on engineering experience (internship and school project experience qualify)
PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:
- Experience and passion for creating, tinkering, taking things apart, and building them again
- Proven experience building things that many would consider objectively too challenging to accomplish
- Ability to communicate mission-critical messaging effectively, explain complex topics succinctly, and ask questions to verify or defend technical rational
- Demonstrated experience driving and delivering significant outcomes
- Proven application of passion and curiosity to learn, build, and complete impactful projects.
- Experience transitioning products from design to manufacturing and optimizing for high-volume
- Proven experience building metallic structures, ideally stainless-steel
- Ability to make informed executive decisions
- Experience leading or working on an engineering competition team, i.e. Formula SAE, Baja SAE, RoboSub, Combat Robotics, Rocketry, or similar
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
- Work performed in an environment requiring exposure to fumes, odors, and noise
- Schedule varies depending on site operational needs; flexibility required
COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS:
Pay range:
Starship Engineer/Level I: $95,000.00 - $115,000.00/per year
Starship 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.
