Electric Propulsion Engineer, Mechanical - (Starlink)

The role

You will own the end-to-end design, analysis, test, build and on-orbit life cycle of Starlink electric propulsion hardware. You will work cross functionally to develop thrusters, cathodes, regulators and the fluid feed system.

What you will do

• Solve complex mechanical, thermal, magnetic, and fluid system problems on space grade hardware
• Own hardware from conceptual design through high volume production and on-orbit operation
• Work closely with partner domains including thermal, materials, electrical, mechanical, software and GNC groups
• Develop design criteria, collaborate on requirements, and drive system-level optimization
• Drive holistic DFM to create elegant designs with a focus on piece part and process count reductions
• Establish an efficient product lifecycle from supply chain through final integration
• Perform vacuum chamber tests, performance characterization, and environmental tests
• Own product delivery timeline through conception, design, analysis, assembly, launch, and on-orbit performance
• Perform root cause investigations to understand failures and disposition hardware non-conformances
• Demonstrate extreme ownership of product outcomes

Required qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in an engineering discipline
• Experience with CAD and FEA software packages
• 1+ years of industry experience (internships/co-ops can apply)
• Ability to work long hours and weekends as necessary to support mission critical milestones

Nice to have

• Master’s degree in engineering or a related technical discipline
• 3+ years of professional experience in mechanical design and analysis
• Hands-on experience designing, building and testing electric or chemical propulsion systems in an industry or lab environment
• Previous experience and ownership of the full product life cycle in a high-rate production environment
• Experience with fluid dynamics, finite element, or related computer-based modeling
• Experience with pressurized components (valves, regulators, tubes, pipes, etc.)
• Experience with structural and electromagnetic finite element analysis
• 1+ years of experience with GD&T concepts
• Experience Python and MATLAB; familiarity with SQL and Metabase
• Experience leading operation-critical part mechanical design

Benefits

• Company stock or long-term cash awards
• Potential discretionary bonuses
• Ability to purchase additional stock at a discount through an 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 time in compliance with state and federal law
• Company shuttles from select Seattle locations

Before you apply

• Applicant must be a U.S. citizen or national, U.S. lawful permanent resident, Refugee under 8 U.S.C. § 1157, or Asylee under 8 U.S.C. § 1158, or be eligible to obtain the required authorizations from

About the company

SpaceX was founded under the belief that a future where humanity is out exploring the stars is fundamentally more exciting than one where we are not. Today SpaceX is actively developing the technologies to make this possible, with the ultimate goal of enabling human life on Mars.