Welding Automation Engineer, Chamber and Nozzle
Job description
About the role
Join the team responsible for the Raptor engine by developing automated welding systems for combustion chambers and nozzles. You will manage complex geometries and high-temperature alloys to ensure hardware survives extreme thermal and pressure cycles. This role focuses on scaling production throughput and improving weld consistency through advanced process control and data-driven manufacturing.
Key facts
What you'll do
- Design and deploy manual and automated arc and beam welding systems.
- Create optimized weld paths and sequences for regenerative cooling channels and nozzle structures.
- Integrate real-time monitoring sensors to track penetration, seam location, and temperature.
- Build data pipelines for statistical process control and machine learning-based defect reduction.
- Develop custom fixtures and material handling solutions for high-precision hardware.
- Use Python scripting and PLC logic to improve cycle times and reduce scrap.
- Collaborate with design and supply chain teams to improve the manufacturability of propulsion hardware.
The work is centered on the combustion chambers and nozzles of the Raptor engine, which are manufactured from high-temperature alloys and must survive extreme thermal and pressure cycles. Because these components feature complex geometries, including regenerative cooling channels, weld paths and sequences must be carefully designed so that each weld is consistent and repeatable. You will be responsible for both the systems that perform the welding and the process control around them.
A major part of the role is automation and data. You will design and deploy manual and automated arc and beam welding systems, integrate real-time monitoring sensors to track penetration, seam location, and temperature, and build data pipelines that support statistical process control and machine learning-based defect reduction. You will also develop custom fixtures and material handling solutions for high-precision hardware, and you will use Python scripting and PLC logic to improve cycle times and reduce scrap. Collaboration with design and supply chain teams is part of the work as well, with the goal of improving the manufacturability of propulsion hardware.
The end goal is production at scale without sacrificing weld quality. Because the hardware must survive repeated extreme thermal and pressure cycles, consistency in every weld matters, and the automation and data systems you put in place are what make that consistency achievable on the factory floor.
Requirements
- Bachelor degree in an engineering field.
- Minimum 1 year of experience with welding processes for complex metallic parts.
- Ability to stand for at least 8 hours and work directly with hardware on the production floor.
- Ability to bend, stoop, and stand as needed.
- Willingness to work weekends and extended hours based on production needs.
- Ability to travel up to 10% for hardware testing and launch support.
- Must meet ITAR requirements (U.S. citizen, national, green card holder, refugee, or asylee).
Nice to have
- Proficiency in Python and industrial automation, including PLCs or real-time controllers.
- Experience deploying vision-guided, laser, or robotic welding in a production setting.
- Background in welding nickel alloys, copper alloys, or stainless steel using plasma, laser, or GTAW.
- Experience with offline robot programming and weld simulation software.
- Familiarity with non-destructive evaluation methods like thermography, CT, X-ray, or ultrasonic testing.
- Knowledge of GD&T and statistical process control.
- Previous work on regeneratively cooled hardware or rocket engine nozzles and chambers.
Skills & tools
Python, PLC programming, robotic welding systems, real-time process monitoring, statistical process control, GD&T.
Practical notes
Salary ranges: Manufacturing Engineer I ($100,000 - $115,000) and Manufacturing Engineer II ($110,000 - $135,000). Compensation includes potential stock options, long-term cash awards, and discretionary bonuses. Benefits include medical, dental, and vision coverage, 401(k), paid parental leave, 3 weeks of vacation, and 10+ paid holidays. 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.