Mechanical Engineer, Flight Termination System

About the role

Become a vital member of the team that designs and develops the Flight Termination System (FTS) for the Starship program. In this role, you will oversee the entire lifecycle of safety-critical hardware and explosive components, starting from the design phase through to production, testing, and integration into the vehicle. Your contributions will be crucial in ensuring the safety and reliability of our launch operations.

Key facts

What you'll do

• Create and produce explosive devices and associated hardware, such as destruct charges and electronic safe and arm devices, as well as system controllers.
• Streamline and automate processes to enhance the delivery efficiency, aiming for a launch rate of over one complete vehicle each month.
• Execute comprehensive validation tests, which will include shock, vibration, thermal cycling, and live fire testing to ensure system reliability.
• Spearhead investigations into any production or launch discrepancies to guarantee no failures occur during flight.
• Work closely with avionics, stage, and flight safety teams to refine system architecture while also focusing on cost reduction.
• Keep detailed technical documentation up to date, which includes drawings, risk assessments, and specifications for components.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to integrate FTS components seamlessly into the overall vehicle design.
• Participate in design reviews and provide feedback to enhance product quality and performance.

Requirements

• A bachelor's degree in an engineering field is essential.
• At least 1 year of experience in mechanical design or hands-on manufacturing is required, which can include internships or participation in project teams.
• Capability to handle and conduct tests on high explosive devices is necessary.
• Must be willing to obtain ATF explosives clearance as part of the role.
• Candidates must comply with ITAR regulations, which means being a U.S. citizen, permanent resident, refugee, or asylee.
• Strong analytical skills and attention to detail are critical for success in this position.

Nice to have

• A master's degree in mechanical or aerospace engineering would be advantageous.
• Familiarity with simulation tools such as ANSYS, LSDYNA, CHEETA, BlastX, or Hydrocode is preferred.
• Experience working with high voltage electronics or explosives is a plus.
• Knowledge of test instrumentation, including thermocouples, pressure transducers, solenoid valves, and relays, would be beneficial.
• Previous leadership experience in research or project teams is a valuable asset.

Skills & tools

• Proficiency in mechanical design and system analysis is essential for this role.
• Understanding of electro-mechanical devices and their applications is important.
• Solid mechanics and dynamics knowledge will be crucial for effective design and analysis.
• Strong project management skills and the ability to communicate technical information clearly are necessary for collaboration and reporting.

Practical notes

• Salary for this position ranges from $100,000 to $117,500 for Level I, and from $115,000 to $140,000 for Level II annually.
• Employees will receive a comprehensive benefits package that includes medical, dental, vision, 401(k), life insurance, disability coverage, paid parental leave, and three weeks of vacation, in addition to over ten holidays.
• Compensation may also include stock options, long-term cash awards, and discretionary bonuses based on performance.
• Be prepared for extended hours and potential weekend work during critical mission phases, as the role demands flexibility to meet project timelines.
• Travel requirements for this position are minimal, typically less than 25%.

Join SpaceX and play a key role in shaping the future of space exploration through innovative engineering and design. Your expertise will contribute to the development of safe and reliable systems that are essential for the success of our missions.

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.