Propulsion Engineer (Falcon Flight Operations)

Hawthorne, CAfull timeOn Site

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entry

$100k–$130k

H1B: no

SpaceX Propulsion Engineer (Falcon Flight Operations) at SpaceX ensures flightworthiness of Falcon propulsion hardware and software throughout vehicle lifecycle. Responsibilities include developing system understanding, making critical processing decisions, supporting test and launch operations, and leading anomaly investigations.

Responsibilities

Develop a comprehensive understanding of the Falcon propulsion systems
Make critical decisions for the processing of Merlin and Stage Propulsion hardware during build, test, integration, and flight to ensure 100% mission success
Define, implement, and validate acceptance and operational requirements to promote reliability, rapid reusability, and streamlined processing of Falcon rockets
Take on primary responsibility for the success of Merlin engines or Stage Propulsion hardware for a given test or launch campaign
Support test and launch operations across all SpaceX facilities, including live on-console support from mission control
Perform post-test and post-flight data reviews, and provide technical recommendations to the Vehicle Maintenance team to enable rapid, reliable reuse of hardware
Solve undefined and multi-disciplinary problems, interfacing with engineering and technician teams from all disciplines across SpaceX (e.g., production, test, launch, avionics, structures, guidance, navigation & control, thermal and fluid analysis, flight and ground software, mission management, flight reliability, etc.)
Work closely with commercial and government customers to drive down technical debt, mitigate flight risks, and ensure maximum hardware and software reliability
Lead propulsion anomaly investigations and drive these investigations to resolution
Develop new automation capabilities to enable extreme launch cadence – leverage coding for rapid test and flight data analysis, flight software verification, and other engineering processes, and eliminate recurring work
Optimize recurring test and mission tasks to enable an increasingly demanding launch manifest

Qualification

Experience with Python

Required

Bachelor’s degree in an engineering discipline
1+ years of experience working with engines or fluid systems

Preferred

Master’s degree in mechanical engineering or aeronautical/astronautical engineering
Analytical/scientific programming experience
Experience in collaborative coding within version-controlled repositories (e.g., Git)
Experience with Python
Strong foundation in fluid mechanics (compressible and incompressible), thermodynamics, combustion, structures/fracture mechanics, and materials
Familiarity with liquid propellant rocket engine cycles, launch vehicle fluid systems, and components
Excellent communication skills (both written and verbal) and ability to succinctly present recommendations to stakeholders, customers, and management
Hands-on hardware experience performing fabrication, assembly, and/or testing (can be in a professional, academic, entrepreneurial, or hobby setting)