Launch Engineer, Falcon Reflight

LAUNCH ENGINEER, FALCON REFLIGHT

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Process Falcon 9 Flight vehicles, in the pursuit of rapid and reliable rocket re-use, recovery, integration, and launch
• Assist with and lead hands-on assembly, integration, and testing of new and flight-proven vehicle assemblies
• Lead critical on-site operations and hardware investigations while collaborating with engineering staff from other departments and SpaceX locations to resolve off-nominal test results and hardware conditions to ensure flight readiness
• Develop and execute procedures for the refurbishment, checkout, and integration of flight-proven rockets and ground support equipment
• Partner with, and provide direction to highly skilled field technicians on a daily basis
• Design and develop tools and hardware to enable vehicle assembly and conduct vehicle system testing
• Identify high-risk processes and problems during Stage 1 refurbishment and Falcon hardware processing, and proactively implement improvements to ensure operational excellence
• Lead and facilitate root cause and corrective action investigations to ensure that issues related to design, product reliability, and quality that cause downstream disruption are corrected
• Rapidly develop and refine manufacturing assembly procedures based on lessons learned
• Manage work orders and the driving of non-conformances into actionable items and system improvements

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering, computer engineering, aerospace engineering, mechanical engineering, or other engineering discipline
• 1+ years of hands-on experience with mechanical, electrical and/or fluid systems in the design, manufacturing, or implementation phases (class projects and/or internship experience qualifies)

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:

• 3+ years of professional experience designing, building, integrating, and testing multi-disciplinary systems
• Experience writing test plans and test procedures
• Experience working on projects that involve the integration of electrical, mechanical, and software systems (launch vehicle and/or spacecraft experience is not required)
• Proficient in or hands-on experience with one or more of the following: launch vehicle or spacecraft integration; composite structure design or testing; test operations with gases/fluids; data acquisition setup and field measurements
• Professional experience testing and operating with or around hazardous systems (high pressure, high energy, hazardous gases/fluids, etc.)
• Professional experience working with large assembly moves (e.g. crane operations)
• Flight hardware avionics experience
• Ability to communicate clearly and accurately with a wide range of people
• Ability to work in a fast-paced, autonomously driven, and demanding start-up atmosphere
• Ability to learn, lead others, and help others learn while maintaining productivity
• Advanced degree in electrical engineering, computer engineering, computer science, mechatronics, mechanical engineering, and/or aerospace engineering

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Ability to pass Air Force background check for Cape Canaveral
• Physical effort including standing, lifting and carrying moderately heavy materials or equipment (15 to 30 lbs.)
• Overall mental fitness with the ability to work in a high-concentration, high-stress environment requiring prolonged mental concentration (under possible extended work hours)
• Ability to be flexible on shifts
• Occasional travel may be required

ITAR REQUIREMENTS:

• To conform to U.S. Government export regulations, applicant must be a (i) U.S. citizen or national, (ii) U.S. lawful, permanent resident (aka green card holder), (iii) Refugee under 8 U.S.C. § 1157, or (iv) Asylee under 8 U.S.C. § 1158, or be eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State. Learn more about the ITAR here.

SpaceX is an Equal Opportunity Employer; employment with SpaceX is governed on the basis of merit, competence and qualifications and will not be influenced in any manner by race, color, religion, gender, national origin/ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, mental or physical disability or any other legally protected status.

Applicants wishing to view a copy of SpaceX’s Affirmative Action Plan for veterans and individuals with disabilities, or applicants requiring reasonable accommodation to the application/interview process should reach out to EEOCompliance@spacex.com.