Structural Engineer

About the role

SpaceX is seeking structural engineers to support the rapid development of vertical integration facilities at Starbase. You will manage the design and construction of high-rise infrastructure essential for the Starship program and future missions to the Moon and Mars.

Key facts

What you'll do

• Lead structural engineering work packages for production site development, specifically focusing on integrated high-rise facilities.
• Execute all project phases from conceptual feasibility and preliminary design to construction completion.
• Perform structural analysis for large steel and reinforced concrete buildings, including deep and shallow foundations.
• Produce design drawings, calculations, and summary presentations.
• Manage construction contracts, budgets, schedules, and material estimates.
• Coordinate multidisciplinary systems such as HVAC and MEP within high-rise projects.
• Provide onsite field observations, resolve construction conflicts, and direct field personnel to ensure quality and schedule adherence.
• Engage with vendors and contractors to expand the construction network.
• Oversee job site safety and ensure compliance with company policies.

This role supports the rapid development of vertical integration facilities at Starbase. You will lead structural engineering work packages for production site development, specifically focusing on integrated high-rise facilities, and you will execute all project phases from conceptual feasibility and preliminary design to construction completion. The infrastructure you help design is essential for the Starship program and future missions to the Moon and Mars.

The role is technically demanding. You will perform structural analysis for large steel and reinforced concrete buildings, including deep and shallow foundations, produce design drawings, calculations, and summary presentations, and manage construction contracts, budgets, schedules, and material estimates. You will also coordinate multidisciplinary systems such as HVAC and MEP within high-rise projects.

Much of the work happens on site. You will provide onsite field observations, resolve construction conflicts, and direct field personnel to ensure quality and schedule adherence, engage with vendors and contractors to expand the construction network, and oversee job site safety and ensure compliance with company policies. Candidates with experience with high-rise construction, including primary gravity and lateral force resisting systems, and knowledge of temporary stability analysis and steel erection equipment like tower cranes, will be well prepared. A Professional Engineering (PE) or Structural Engineering (SE) license is a strong advantage.

This role is central to building the facilities that support Starship production, combining structural design, construction management, and hands-on field work. It is an excellent opportunity for a structural engineer who wants to see their work realized at one of the most ambitious construction sites in the world, supporting missions to the Moon and Mars.

Requirements

• Bachelor degree in physics or an engineering discipline.
• Minimum 1 year of experience in the design or construction of structural infrastructure.
• Ability to travel as needed.
• Capacity to perform hands-on work in various weather conditions, at heights, or in tight spaces.
• Availability to work extended hours and weekends.
• Must meet ITAR requirements: U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident, refugee, or asylee.

Nice to have

• 3+ years of professional experience in civil or structural engineering.
• Experience with high-rise construction, including primary gravity and lateral force resisting systems.
• Knowledge of temporary stability analysis and steel erection equipment like tower cranes.
• Professional Engineering (PE) or Structural Engineering (SE) license.
• Familiarity with AISC, ACI 318, ASCE 7, IBC, and CMAA guidelines.
• Experience with structural detail drawings and analysis software.

Skills & tools

Drafting: Revit, AutoCAD, NX, Solidworks. Analysis: ETABS, SAFE, SAP2000, ANSYS, FEMAP.

Practical notes

This role requires working in hazardous environments while wearing necessary personal protective equipment. SpaceX is an equal opportunity employer.

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.