SpaceX New Graduate Mechanical Engineer focused on test operations and ground support equipment for rocket engines and spacecraft. Develop and execute tests, analyze data, and design test stands and support systems.
Responsibilities
TEST OPERATIONS:
Develop and execute tests at the engine and component level to evaluate hardware performance and survivability during the mission
Repeated ownership of test campaigns, including test plan creation, new system activation, test operations, data review, and test stand equipment design/fabrication
Provide daily directions and instructions to technicians to fabricate and integrate test articles and stand equipment
Develop and maintain test procedures, sequences, scripts, configuration files, and software
Operate and troubleshoot data acquisition and control systems, wiring, and instrumentation (DAQ systems are primarily National Instruments-based)
Operate and troubleshoot fluid and mechanical systems that include low to high-pressure gaseous working fluids and rocket propellants (including hypergols & cryogenics) as well as structural components and supporting infrastructure
Operate mechanical systems; these include test stand support structures, heat exchangers, vacuum pumps, tooling, and fluid components such as valves, reliefs, burst disks, tubing, etc.
Automate repetitive test operations to increase efficiency and safety
Develop innovative processes to increase testing capability and rates, while maintaining high rigor of safety
Identify and characterize system pitfalls and potential hazards, then work to resolve such anomalies by collaborating with design engineers on improvements for test stands and flight hardware
GROUND SUPPORT EQUIPMENT:
Qualification
Graduating with a bachelor’s degreeHands-on build—machining
Required
Bachelor's degree in an engineering discipline or physics
1+ years of mechanical and/or fluids engineering experience via project team, research, internships, and/or professional experience
Graduating with a bachelor’s degree, master’s degree or PhD in 2026 or 2027
Preferred
Strong fundamental understanding and intuition for fluid, structural, or mechanical systems
Critical thinking and problem solving in stressful, dynamic situations
Positive responses and outcomes to challenges posed by short deadlines
Hands-on build—machining, welding, and other fabrication techniques are a plus
Creativity to imagine and design for reliability, efficiency, and maintainability from scratch
Driven approach to addressing challenges and opportunities—an enthusiastic, self-motivated, positive, can-do attitude
Determining the best solution among several options, often balancing cost/schedule/complexity
Acute attention to detail and ability to see interactions with related systems to avoid problems
