Mechanical Engineer (Super Heavy Booster)

MECHANICAL ENGINEER (SUPER HEAVY BOOSTER)

The Booster Mechanical Engineering team is responsible for creating a rapidly manufacturable 1st Stage. The products they build can range from Aft End Thrust Structure to Hot Stage Adapter to Qualification Article Test Tanks, as well as the tooling and processes required to build them. As a structures engineer, you partner with design teams from the earliest phases, ensuring manufacturability and overseeing hardware production throughout its lifecycle. On the production line, you collaborate with production technicians from the initial development article through rate production, driving and implementing meaningful changes to parts, processes, planning, and tooling to improve the overall production system. Given the scale of this team's products, structures engineers significantly influence the vehicle's design, equipment, and factory infrastructure.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Work closely with vehicle analysts and design teams to ensure solutions meet vehicle design and manufacturing process requirements
• Develop production procedures and manage the transition of primary structures and assemblies from the development phase to high-rate production
• Coordinate and execute development, qualification, and acceptance testing of systems, machinery, and tooling needed to meet hardware delivery deadlines
• Execute design for manufacturability changes to enhance production efficiency
• Create original CAD models and prints for flight and/or tooling components
• Lead the on-site design engineering contact for the efficient build of parts and assemblies
• Create and maintain build schedules
• Resolve and analyze manufacturing discrepancies while interfacing with the quality team (resolving issues for design, fabrication, and assembly)
• Participate in design reviews internally and with suppliers and customers
• Partner with engineering & production teams to generate ideas, designs, and improvements for current and next-generation vehicles 
• Source, retain, and advise new and experienced vendors from a technical perspective

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor's degree in an engineering discipline
• 1+ years of engineering experience in manufacturing or production (internship and school projects experience qualify)

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:

• Master’s degree in mechanical, manufacturing, aerospace, materials or industrial engineering
• Involvement in a professional engineering society or collegiate design project
• Experience with the build, assembly, or integration of large mechanical assemblies
• Knowledge of metallic manufacturing techniques, processes, and equipment related to welding, metal forming, fastening, drilling, bonding and automation
• Mechanical component and/or tooling design and analysis experience using 3D CAD software
• Experience with design for manufacture and assembly (DFMA)
• Experience transitioning complex products from R&D to high-volume manufacturing in a fast-paced environment
• Experience writing work instructions and procedures for critical aerospace parts
• Experience in a production environment within the aerospace industry

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Ability to work extended hours and weekends as necessary
• Flight hardware typically is built in tight quarters, and physical dexterity is required
• Ability to perform job duties that require standing, kneeling, crouching, twisting upper body, working in cramped positions in small openings, and climbing hand over hand
• Work performed in an environment requiring exposure to fumes, odors, and noise
• Schedule varies depending on site operational needs; flexibility required

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS:

Pay range:
Mechanical Engineer/Level I: $100,000.00 - $115,000.00/per year
Mechanical Engineer/Level II: $110,000.00 - $135,000.00/per year

Your actual level and base salary will be determined on a case-by-case basis and may vary based on the following considerations: job-related knowledge and skills, education, and experience.

Base salary is just one part of your total rewards package at SpaceX. You may also be eligible for long-term incentives, in the form of company stock, stock options, or long-term cash awards, as well as potential discretionary bonuses and the ability to purchase additional stock at a discount through an Employee Stock Purchase Plan. You will also receive access to comprehensive medical, vision, and dental coverage, access to a 401(k) retirement plan, short and long-term disability insurance, life insurance, paid parental leave, and various other discounts and perks. You may also accrue 3 weeks of paid vacation and will be eligible for 10 or more paid holidays per year. Employees accrue paid sick leave pursuant to Company policy which satisfies or exceeds the accrual, carryover, and use requirements of the law.