Recovery Engineer (F9 Booster & Fairings)

The role

This person will develop and execute processing operations for landed Falcon 9 boosters and fairings. They will own mission campaigns at the Port of Long Beach and design ground support equipment.

What you will do

• Own overall mission campaigns to process Falcon 9 boosters and fairings at the Port of Long Beach
• Develop procedures, test plans, and concept of operations for F9 flight hardware processing
• Drive more efficient operations to improve Falcon 9 recovery cost and hardware health
• Resolve blockers to operations in the field and make real-time decisions
• Design, build, and test new ground support equipment
• Ensure systems are in place to guarantee hardware readiness
• Remain synchronized with all recovery operations on both coasts
• Interface between various teams to improve overall strategies with Falcon 9 reuse
• Support operations as a trained Vehicle Controller and manually command the rocket
• Create/modify automation for controlling the Falcon 9 booster

Required qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in an engineering discipline
• 2+ years of experience developing and/or processing aerospace or aviation systems
• Willing to work in extreme outdoor environments – heat, cold, rain, wind, open ocean
• Ability to work in a high-stress environment
• Willing to support offshore operations, including working recovery missions at sea
• Ability to climb ladders and work in tight/confined spaces
• Willing to work with hazardous materials
• Ability to operate heavy machinery
• Ability to pass Air Force background checks for Cape Canaveral and Vandenberg Space Force Base
• Must have a valid driver’s license

Nice to have

• 2+ years of hands-on experience building, maintaining, modifying, troubleshooting and operating ground support equipment
• Experience operating fluid, mechanical, or electrical systems and background working with complex, multi-disciplinary system assemblies
• Experience planning, executing, leading and improving operations involving more than 10 personnel
• Experience with critical operations where real-time decision-making affects success criteria
• Able to work well in an integrated collaborative team environment
• Able to prioritize and execute tasks in a high-pressure environment
• Self-motivated and directed with keen attention to detail
• Ongoing drive for continuous improvement in all aspects of work
• Detail oriented, organized, and demonstrate a high sense of urgency

Benefits

• Company stock or long-term cash awards
• Employee Stock Purchase Plan
• Comprehensive medical, vision, and dental coverage
• 401(k) retirement plan
• Short and long term disability insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid parental leave
• 3 weeks of paid vacation
• 10 or more paid holidays per year
• Paid sick leave

Before you apply

• Applicant must be a U.S. citizen or national, U.S. lawful, permanent resident, Refugee, or Asylee, or be eligible to obtain required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State
• Ability to pass Air Force background checks for Cape Canaveral and Vandenberg Space Force Base

About the company

SpaceX is actively developing the technologies to make human life on Mars possible.