Launch Engineer, Ground Support Equipment (Falcon)

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.

LAUNCH ENGINEER, GROUND SUPPORT EQUIPMENT (FALCON)

SpaceX is currently seeking talented individuals for a ground system engineering position on the Falcon Integration team in Vandenberg. You will have the opportunity to utilize your knowledge, experience, and creativity to rapidly design, build, and activate fluid and mechanical systems required to support all aspects of SpaceX Falcon 9 vehicle processing, spacecraft integration, and umbilical refurb.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Design, build, and activate equipment to support all aspects of launch site vehicle processing and launch, including structural, tooling/fixtures, fluids, and transport equipment
• This team supports Stage 1, Stage 2, Fairing, launch site payload operations, from Dockside to Launch, with a focus on vehicle interface tooling for structural and fluid connections
• This team also supports every flight inspection, refurbishment operations for all the umbilical’s for pad operations
• Use hand calculations, finite element analyses (FEA), and computer-aided designs (CAD) to ensure all hardware meets or exceeds internal and customer requirements
• Lead design reviews and activation testing
• Serve as a technical interface to customers and suppliers
• Monitor and participate in ground system build and test, hands-on in the field, alongside skilled technician teams
• Collaborate with engineers and technicians when performing critical operations on non-flight hardware including mechanical, hydraulic, and pneumatic systems
• Perform continuing engineering and production support of ground support equipment to support a 99%+ uptime to support flight hardware integration activities

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s degree in an engineering discipline
• 1+ years of hands-on hardware experience performing fabrication, assembly and/or testing

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:

• Experience with NX/Teamcenter designing parts and assemblies

• Experience with CAD and FEA software packages (can be in a professional, academic, entrepreneurial, or hobby setting)

• Experience with at least one commercial FEA or multiphysics simulation package (NASTRAN, ABAQUS, ANSYS, CFD codes, etc.)

• Demonstrated ability to own hardware or systems within an integrated engineering team outside a classroom setting (FSAE, Engineers without Borders, Design-Build-Fly, NASA student launch, personal entrepreneurial ventures, etc.)

• Analytical/scientific programming experience (Python, MATLAB, Excel, etc.)

• Hands-on experience working with complex fluid or mechanical systems in a professional setting

• Demonstrated expertise in the design, build, and operation of systems per any of the following:

  • Fluids -ASME B31.3, ASME B&PV Code Section VIII
  • Mechanical: AFSPCMAN 91-710, ASME B30, ASME BTH-1, NASA-STD-5005

• Excellent written and oral communication, especially translating technical concepts for non-technical audiences

• General hands-on mechanical experience: welding, automotive, robotics, rocketry, etc.

• Ability to work in a fast-paced, autonomously driven, and demanding atmosphere

• Unfazed by change in strategic direction

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Ability to pass Air Force background check for Vandenberg Space Force Base, CA
• 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

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS:

Pay range:

Launch Engineer/Level I: $95,000.00 - $115,000.00/per year

Launch Engineer/Level II: $110,000.00 - $130,000.00/per year