Sr. Propulsion Engineer

About the role

This role involves advancing Raptor engine operations from initial concepts to consistent, reliable flight. You will be instrumental in developing and overseeing the necessary processes to safely prepare and launch Starship vehicles. The position focuses on creating methods for high-performance rocket engines to achieve airline-like operational reliability.

Key facts

What you'll do

• Conduct analysis, development engineering, and flight operations for Raptor engine propulsion systems.
• Allocate resources to meet team goals, ensure clear ownership, and maintain high performance standards.
• Enable frequent launches with high reliability by automating test and flight data analysis, expanding capabilities, and developing new algorithms.
• Collaborate with various engineering and technician teams (Software, Ground Systems, Stage Propulsion, Integration and Test, Guidance and Control) to ensure successful engine performance.
• Serve as a primary console operator during live test and flight operations, analyzing telemetry for engine health and troubleshooting issues.
• Make risk-aware decisions under pressure across multiple engineering systems and brief leadership during operations or anomaly investigations.
• Support vehicle-level readiness and data reviews for engine systems, acting as the Responsible Engineer for engine systems.
• Implement and maintain rigorous hardware and software verification processes using automation and process controls.
• Take full ownership of critical spaceflight operations and potentially hardware, with significant responsibility.
• Perform walkdowns and assist with hardware troubleshooting in the field.
• Develop engineering test and flight plans, owning engine development and validation testing campaigns or specific engineering inputs.
• Manage competing priorities and multiple dynamic projects, determining the necessary depth for each task and driving them to completion with urgency.
• Apply thermofluids principles to size fluid systems and assess performance and risk tradeoffs for Raptor engine products and associated stage systems.
• Lead engineering reviews and guide trade analyses to practical recommendations and decisions.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in an engineering discipline with thermofluids training.
• 4+ years of experience with liquid rocket engines or related fluid systems.
• Experience in hardware design, manufacturing, assembly, testing, or flight.

Nice to have

• Ability to quickly adapt to changes in direction, schedule, priority, or depth.
• Master's degree in mechanical, aeronautical, or astronautical engineering.
• Demonstrated understanding of compressible/incompressible flow, thermodynamics, and materials.
• Experience developing hardware or operations from concept to working prototypes and refining for robustness and autonomy.
• Familiarity with basic control systems concepts.
• Experience conducting engineering trade and risk reviews with senior leadership.
• Experience operating in a rapidly growing and evolving technical environment.
• Ability to act in an entrepreneurial manner.
• Professional liquid engine development experience.
• Experience with pressurized fluid components like valves and pneumatic systems.
• Experience with high-temperature or combustion systems.

Skills & tools

• Python
• MATLAB
• Siemens NX

Practical notes

• Travel between CA, TX, and FL may be required for test and flight operations and hardware development.
• Extended hours and weekends may be necessary.
• Compensation includes base salary, potential long-term incentives (stock or cash awards), discretionary bonuses, and an Employee Stock Purchase Plan.
• Benefits include comprehensive medical, vision, and dental coverage, 401(k) plan, short and long-term disability, life insurance, paid parental leave, and other discounts.
• Employees accrue 3 weeks of paid vacation and are eligible for 10+ paid holidays per year, plus paid sick leave.
• ITAR requirements: Must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident, Refugee, or Asylee, or eligible for required authorizations.