City Engineer (Starship)

About the role

SpaceX is seeking a qualified and licensed Professional Engineer to fulfill the role of City Engineer at its Starbase facility, which serves as the primary site for the development and launch of the Starship program. In this position, you will oversee the permitting processes for civil infrastructure projects, acting as a crucial liaison between internal teams, external consultants, and local regulatory authorities. Your efforts will be essential in ensuring that construction and development activities proceed swiftly to meet the ambitious launch timelines set by the company.

Key facts

What you'll do

• Act as the main reviewer and responsible party for final plan sets produced by both internal engineers and external consultants, ensuring that all documents are prepared for submission.
• Develop and implement standardized plan templates, establish minimum engineering standards, and create review checklists to ensure that all deliverables meet compliance requirements.
• Provide guidance to cross-functional teams regarding the status of plans, readiness for stamping, and submission deadlines to help mitigate delays.
• Collaborate with project managers, designers, and other stakeholders to address technical challenges and enhance designs for improved speed and efficiency.
• Monitor updates in civil engineering codes, permitting regulations, and industry best practices to ensure that the infrastructure at Starbase aligns with the goals of launch and development.
• Lead continuous improvements in documentation processes and foster a culture of accountability among engineering teams.
• Work closely with municipal and local authorities on matters related to infrastructure submissions and compliance requirements.
• Participate in project meetings to provide insights on engineering challenges and solutions that align with the overall project timeline.
• Prepare reports and presentations to communicate project status and engineering findings to senior management and other stakeholders.
• Engage in training and mentoring junior engineers to enhance their skills in plan development and project management.
• Maintain a proactive approach to identifying potential risks in projects and developing strategies to mitigate them.
• Ensure that all engineering practices adhere to the highest quality standards while maintaining compliance with regulatory requirements.

Requirements

• A Bachelor's degree in an engineering discipline is required.
• A valid Texas Professional Engineer (P.E.) license, with the authority to stamp and certify engineering plans, is essential.
• A minimum of 1 year of experience in civil engineering, specifically in project management, plan development, and permitting processes.
• Flexibility to work extended hours and weekends as necessary to meet project deadlines.
• Willingness to travel occasionally to other SpaceX locations for project-related activities.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to work effectively under pressure.

Nice to have

• Experience in fast-paced environments such as aerospace, large-scale construction, or industrial development would be advantageous.
• Familiarity with Texas regulations, particularly those relevant to coastal or rapidly evolving areas, is a plus.
• Excellent mentoring and communication skills to assist engineers during the plan development process.
• Proficiency in using GIS, AutoCAD, Civil 3D, and document management systems.
• Ability to navigate ambiguous situations while maintaining strict adherence to quality standards.
• A genuine interest in space exploration and a readiness to relocate to Starbase for the role.

Skills & tools

• Expertise in civil engineering plan review and certification processes.
• Strong understanding of permitting and regulatory compliance requirements.
• Proficient in GIS, AutoCAD, and Civil 3D software.
• Familiarity with document management systems for efficient project tracking.
• Effective cross-functional coordination and stakeholder communication skills.

Practical notes

• U.S. person status is required under ITAR regulations; applicants must be U.S. citizens, U.S. nationals, lawful permanent residents, refugees, or asylees, or must be able to secure the necessary authorization from the State Department.
• Candidates who require reasonable accommodations during the application or interview process are encouraged to reach out to EEOCompliance@spacex.com for assistance.

About the company

Based in Starbase, Texas, a company pursues work in spaceflight, telecom, and artificial intelligence. A unit handles rocket launches, leading yearly orbital counts beyond other national and commercial teams. Another unit runs Starlink, a satellite communications firm. A third area, through SpaceXAI, advances Grok and AI integration with X, while managing data center operations. Roles often cross these paths. Candidates with engineering, software, or operations backgrounds may find chances to join projects that span launch, connectivity, and machine learning efforts in this Texas-based enterprise.