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. Today SpaceX is actively developing the technologies to make this possible, with the ultimate goal of enabling human life on Mars.

TEST RELIABILITY ENGINEER (RAPTOR)

Raptor is a full-flow, staged combustion engine powering Starship – the most powerful launch vehicle in the world that is designed for heavy payload transport, multi-planetary travel, and complete reusability. The Raptor program is currently developing the design and factory to achieve maximum performance and high pace production to support planned missions to the Moon and Mars. As part of the Build Reliability organization, you will join an inclusive, inter-disciplinary team that collaborates with other core teams to drive reliability across manufacturing, test, and flight. You will be the primary contact for hardware concerns, drive systematic improvements, support root cause investigations, and dive into understanding and defining technical requirements with data. You thrive in a hands-on environment and will spend time in the office, on the factory floor, and in the lab to execute on the mission to make humanity interplanetary.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

  • Partner with design engineering, manufacturing and engine test teams through product testing development, engine acceptance testing and post-test manufacturing checkouts and dress outs to create quality hardwar validation for flight assemblies, including identification of key operating characteristics, prototype development testing for functionality and high-speed manufacturability, flight and prototype planning development, and collation of testing failures and lessons learned
  • Develop, implement and validate Lean test and inspection processes for new and existing products and processes, ensuring that criteria are objective and that quality goals are consistently met
  • Monitor the success of products and processes through production ramp-up using a suite of quality and analysis tools, include FMECA and other root cause analysis systems
  • Investigate failures in production, test and flight, identifying and mitigating the immediate and underlying root causes in order to reduce risk and improve reliability of designs and processes
  • Contain suspect or known non-conforming product, providing guidance to quality inspectors, technicians, shop supervisors and engineers to assist in quarantining and rework activities
  • Support the shop floor in continuous improvement and the advancing of a Lean, autonomous production system through creation of standard rework/repair guides, removal of redundant or unnecessary inspection, and improved control and optimization of critical processes
  • Help the reliability team develop and maintain data systems that show the Raptor program key performance indicators and overall program metrics
  • Transition seamlessly between highly developmental hardware and high rigor and fully traceable flight hardware

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:

  • Bachelor's degree in an engineering discipline or physics
  • 1+ years in a manufacturing, quality and/or design engineering role (student project team or internship experience qualifies)

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:

  • Strong interpersonal and collaborative skills, enthusiasm for the team’s spirit of innovation and mission of improving reliability in cutting-edge technology
  • Master’s degree in mechanical engineering, aerospace engineering, materials engineering, or electrical engineering
  • Demonstrated application of process controls in high volume manufacturing, test, and quality environment
  • Knowledge of quality tools such as Lean principles, measurement systems analysis, design of experiments, statistical process control, root cause analysis and corrective action, advanced product quality planning (APQP), metrology, process failure mode and effects analysis (PFMEA), control plans, and various problem-solving approaches
  • Dedicated to adopting a Lean approach to quality without compromising safety or reliability
  • Experience developing or supporting any of the following products/processes:
    • Complex mechanical/structural assemblies
    • Propulsion Systems integration and test
    • Castings/Additive manufacturing
    • Materials Engineering
    • Turbopump/valve assembly
    • CNC machining, forming, bending
    • Bonding, drilling, fastening and other assembly manufacturing processes
    • Avionics integration and testing
    • Welding (electron beam (EB), TIG, etc.)
  • Experience in SQL based record systems to support custom data analysis to support containment of hardware and/or impact of workmanship on hardware

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

  • Ability to work extended hours, weekends, and offsite as needed

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS:                  

Pay range:      

Build Reliability Engineer/Level I: $95,000.00 - $115,000.00/per year
Build Reliability 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 notify the Human Resources Department at (310) 363-6000.

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