Lead Mechanical Engineer

About the role

You will oversee the mechanical engineering team within the Starship Avionics group, focusing on packaging and protecting electronics for flight. This role involves managing the entire lifecycle of hardware, from initial design and analysis to production and launch support. You own the mechanical strategy for avionics enclosures, ensuring they meet the extreme demands of spaceflight. The position requires you to act as the primary technical authority for mechanical integrity across the team. You will translate high-level mission requirements into specific mechanical designs and verification plans. This role demands rigorous analytical thinking and a hands-on approach to solving complex packaging challenges. You are responsible for driving design maturity and ensuring seamless execution from prototype to flight hardware.

Key facts

What you'll do

• Direct the design, integration, testing, and launch efforts for avionics mechanical systems.
• Establish design architectures and perform initial sizing calculations for new hardware packages.
• Create design requirements when existing documentation is insufficient to guide the team.
• Improve avionics development speed while reducing mass and costs through innovative mechanical solutions.
• Conduct first principles analysis and FEA to validate and refine designs before physical prototyping.
• Implement design for manufacturing strategies to streamline production and ensure reliability.
• Resolve production issues by updating designs, processes, and procedures in collaboration with manufacturing teams.
• Coordinate with thermal and vibration analysts to ensure hardware survives launch environments and mission profiles.
• Manage project timelines from conceptualization through final integration, test, and launch support.
• Define and maintain mechanical documentation standards to ensure clarity and traceability across the team.
• Partner with electrical engineers to ensure mechanical interfaces meet system-level performance goals.
• Support test campaigns by developing test fixtures, procedures, and failure analysis reports.
• Mentor junior engineers on mechanical best practices and problem-solving techniques.
• Drive the transition from first article builds to high-rate production while maintaining quality standards.

Requirements

• Bachelor degree in engineering, science, or math is mandatory for this position.
• 3+ years of professional experience in mechanical component or assembly design is required.
• Must be a U.S. citizen, permanent resident, refugee, or asylee to meet ITAR requirements for this role.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment.
• Strong understanding of mechanical design principles, materials, and manufacturing processes.
• Experience with structural analysis and interpreting test results to inform design decisions.
• Willingness to work onsite at Starbase, TX, with readiness for extended hours and weekends as needed.
• Capability to work independently and make sound technical decisions with limited supervision.
• Commitment to adhering to SpaceX processes while contributing to continuous improvement initiatives.

Nice to have

• 1+ years of experience in a formal or project-based leadership role managing technical deliverables.
• Proficiency in GD&T application for defining and inspecting critical geometric requirements.
• Ability to make high-stakes decisions with incomplete data while managing associated risks.
• Experience working in high-pressure, autonomous environments where ownership is essential.
• Familiarity with aerospace or spaceflight hardware development practices and constraints.
• Knowledge of regulatory and compliance considerations for spaceflight hardware.

Skills & tools

• Expertise in CAD software for mechanical design and detailed modeling.
• Proficiency in Finite Element Analysis (FEA) to simulate mechanical behavior under load.
• Strong capability in hand calculations to validate models and perform preliminary assessments.
• Experience with design and analysis tools that support rapid iteration and verification.
• Understanding of measurement and instrumentation equipment used in test and validation.

Practical notes

• This role is strictly onsite in Starbase, TX, and requires physical presence at the worksite.
• Expect to work extended hours and weekends to meet mission milestones and project deadlines.
• Candidates must be eligible for U.S. security clearance requirements as part of employment conditions.
• SpaceX is an Equal Opportunity Employer, welcoming diverse candidates who meet the role requirements.

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.