Propulsion Build Engineer

About the role

In this role, you will be responsible for designing the manufacturing processes and the necessary tooling to produce fluid systems for the Starship and Super Heavy vehicles at a high production rate. Your presence on the production floor will be essential as you oversee hardware installation and provide guidance to the technical teams tasked with building these critical systems. This position is integral to ensuring that SpaceX meets its ambitious production goals.

Key facts

What you'll do

• Develop innovative manufacturing techniques and assembly tools aimed at enhancing production efficiency and reducing costs.
• Work closely with design engineers to streamline the architecture of fluid systems, ensuring they are efficient and effective.
• Oversee and mentor a team of welders, technicians, and fabricators, providing them with the technical support they need to succeed.
• Take charge of the testing processes for hardware and tooling, ensuring that all project timelines are adhered to and met.
• Create detailed CAD models and technical drawings that will be used for flight hardware and assembly aids, ensuring accuracy and compliance with specifications.
• Establish and maintain production schedules, tracking progress and adjusting as necessary to meet deadlines.
• Participate in both internal and external design reviews, contributing your insights and expertise to improve project outcomes.
• Identify and suggest design enhancements for current and future vehicle iterations, ensuring that SpaceX remains at the forefront of innovation in aerospace engineering.

Requirements

• A Bachelor's degree or higher in mechanical, aerospace, manufacturing, materials engineering, or a closely related field is required.
• At least 1 year of experience in manufacturing design is necessary, which may include academic projects or internships.
• Hands-on experience with mechanical or fluid systems is essential for this role.

Nice to have

• A minimum of 2 years of experience applying Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing (GD&T) standards is preferred.
• A solid understanding of heat transfer, fluid mechanics, and both compressible and incompressible flow principles is advantageous.
• Experience working with pressurized hardware components, including pipes, valves, and regulators, will be beneficial.
• Proficiency in mechanical design, particularly in performing structural and fluid calculations, is a plus.
• Familiarity with facility layout, process error-proofing, and line development will enhance your application.
• Expertise in Siemens NX and Teamcenter software is highly desirable.
• Experience in managing, developing, or refining both manual and automated welding processes is a valuable asset.

Skills & tools

• Proficient in CAD software, with a preference for Unigraphics NX.
• Familiarity with Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) systems, particularly Teamcenter, is important.
• Strong background in designing fluid and mechanical systems.
• Experience in developing manufacturing processes that align with industry standards.

Practical notes

• This position involves physical labor, which may include working in confined spaces, kneeling, standing for extended periods, and climbing.
• You will be required to work in outdoor settings, subject to varying weather conditions, noise levels, and exposure to fumes.
• The work schedule is flexible and may vary based on operational requirements.
• Occasional travel to remote build sites may be necessary, accounting for up to 10% of your time.
• Due to ITAR regulations, this position is limited to U.S. citizens, permanent residents, asylees, or refugees only.

Joining SpaceX as a Propulsion Build Engineer offers an to be part of a team dedicated to advancing space exploration. If you are about aerospace engineering and eager to contribute to innovative projects, we encourage you to apply. Your expertise will play a crucial role in shaping the future of space travel.

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.