Mission Integration Engineer, Special Programs

Hawthorne, CAfull timeOn Site

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entry

$110k–$130k

H1B: no

SpaceX Mission Integration Engineer at SpaceX owns the integration of customer payloads onto the SpaceX payload platform from requirements definition through integrated test, flight, and on-orbit operations. The role involves managing the payload-to-platform interface across mechanical, electrical, data, and thermal domains and ensuring mission safety and compliance.

Responsibilities

Own the payload-to-platform ICD: define, baseline, and configuration-control mechanical, electrical, data, and thermal interfaces
Allocate customer and vehicle requirements to the interface; maintain traceability through analysis, test, and inspection
Evaluate payload design against platform constraints and environments (static, dynamic, thermal, electromagnetic) for launch, on-orbit, and re-entry
Lead interface trades (mass, volume, keep-out, loads, power, thermal, EMI/EMC, timeline) and document the technical basis
Disposition interface non-compliances with engineering: waiver, redesign, or operational constraint, including work-around plans where required
Define and support integrated test: interface checkout, EGSE, mate/demate, environmental test correlation, and end-to-end mission timeline
Build and maintain the integrated mission CONOPs (on-orbit operations) with payload, vehicle, and operations teams
Identify technical risk at the payload–platform boundary, including Do No Harm to the vehicle and to co-manifested payloads; drive mitigations to closure
Support design reviews, test readiness, and flight readiness with evidence of interface compliance—not as a customer-facing facilitator, as the responsible engineer for the interface
Communicate interface status, open items, and technical decisions to payload providers and internal engineering teams

Qualification

Active Top Secret1+ years of spacecraft

Required

Bachelor’s degree in an engineering or STEM discipline
Ability to obtain a Top Secret SCI clearance
Experience applying systems engineering methods (requirements, interfaces, verification, or integration and test)
Excellent verbal and written technical communication skills

Preferred

Active Top Secret, Top Secret SCI, or DOE Level Q clearance
1+ years of spacecraft, launch vehicle, or payload integration / systems engineering experience
Master’s degree in an engineering discipline
Hands-on experience with ICD development, requirements verification, or integrated test
Familiarity with launch and on-orbit environments (coupled loads, shock, vibe, thermal vacuum, EMI/EMC)
Familiarity with USG processes and systems
Ability to close technical trades across multiple engineering organizations under schedule pressure
Ability to quickly adapt and change course in a fast-paced environment