Structures Engineer (Starship)

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.

STRUCTURES ENGINEER (STARSHIP)

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Develop design concepts from a clean sheet and size vehicle structures based on flight loads
• Collaborate with peers from different vehicle systems to develop designs that balance mass, cost, and capability
• Create detailed designs to implement structural concepts and generate CAD models in NX for components, assemblies, and vehicle integration
• Build finite element models to assess your designs in detail and analyze your structures to prove they meet the needs of the vehicle
• Apply first-order hand calculations and empirical formulas to assess and iterate on your designs rapidly
• Validate your designs by building development articles to test individual joints and design elements for strength
• Perform structural testing on subassemblies and full sections of the airframe
• Partner with build engineers and technicians to improve your designs
• Support the assembly of your hardware in the factory, witness your designs being brought to life daily, and watch them take flight and make history

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor's degree in mechanical or aerospace engineering
• 1+ years of engineering experience designing, analyzing, or building structures (internship and school projects experience qualify)

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:

• Experience and passion for creating, tinkering, taking things apart, and building them again
• Ability to communicate mission-critical messaging effectively, explain complex topics succinctly, and ask questions to verify or defend technical rational
• Demonstrated experience driving and delivering significant outcomes
• Proven application of passion and curiosity to learn, build, and complete impactful projects.
• Experience transitioning products from design to manufacturing and optimizing for high-volume
• Proven experience designing metallic structures, ideally stainless-steel
• Ability to make informed executive decisions
• Experience leading or working on an engineering competition team, i.e. Formula SAE, Baja SAE, RoboSub, Combat Robotics or similar

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Must be available to work extended hours and weekends as needed

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS:

Pay range: Structures Engineer/Level I: $95,000.00 - $115,000.00/per year Structures Engineer/Level II: $110,000.00 - $130,000.00/per year

Your actual level and base salary will be determined on a case-by-case basis and may vary based on the following considerations: job-related knowledge and skills, education, and experience.

Base salary is just one part of your total rewards package at SpaceX. You may also be eligible for long-term incentives in the form of company stock, stock options, or long-term cash awards, as well as potential discretionary bonuses and the ability to purchase additional stock at a discount through an Employee Stock Purchase Plan. You will also receive access to comprehensive medical, vision, and dental coverage, access to a 401(k) retirement plan, short and long-term disability insurance, life insurance, paid parental leave, and various other discounts and perks. You may also accrue 3 weeks of paid vacation and will be eligible for 10 or more paid holidays per year. Exempt employees are eligible for 5 days of sick leave per year.

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.