Mechanical Engineer - Top Secret Clearance

Hawthorne, CA

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.

MECHANICAL ENGINEER – TOP SECRET CLEARANCE 

As a Mechanical Engineer within our Special Programs Group, you will have the unique opportunity to be part of a cross-functional team that bridges the gap between vehicle analysis, design, production and vehicle operations. 

The Special Programs Mechanical Team is responsible for cradle-to-grave ownership of unique space vehicle structures as they are built, tested, launched, recovered and re-launched. You will be entrusted to improve existing systems while also helping to shape and design the next generation. This includes development of new structural designs, novel payload interfaces, reliable, reusable space mechanisms, and efficient ground support equipment to usher in a new era of spaceflight. 

You will be empowered to make real-time decisions, solve complex problems on the fly, and own end-to-end processes. The role will require the readiness to develop subject matter expertise in design for manufacturability, specifically those related to sheet metal and subassembly design and fabrication. If you are ready to be a hardware owner, eager to get out from behind a desk, and be hands-on working alongside a world-class production team, this may be the right role for you.

RESPONSIBILITIES: 

  • Drive design and development of mechanical systems and structures for our vehicles
  • 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 peer design owners such as avionics, power systems, and structures to deliver integrated systems optimized for packaging, build, and operations
  • 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)
  • Active Top Secret, Top Secret SCI, DOE Level Q clearance or ability/willingness to obtain one

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE: 

  • Master's degree in an engineering discipline
  • Previous experience with spacecraft, aircraft, launch vehicle engineering or operations
  • Experience designing, analyzing, building, and testing high performance, mechanical systems
  • Strong understanding of mechanical first principles and structural analysis methodologies
  • Understanding of design considerations including design for rapid manufacturability, design of tests, weld joint and allowable development, corrosion resistance, and inspection techniques
  • Strong ability to use data and analysis to make fast data-driven decisions
  • Ability to perform trade studies and make clear recommendations using first principles and engineering fundamentals even with partial information. Strong understanding of engineering fundamentals
  • Experience working at a nimble engineering organization or in a highly technical position that required a scrappy, entrepreneurial manner to accomplish tasks with tight time or budget constraints
  • Experience building hardware or have a passion for contributing to a work product that operates in the real world
  • Understanding of design considerations including design for rapid manufacturability, design of tests, weld joint and allowable development, corrosion resistance, and inspection techniques
  • Experience with FEA or Multiphysics simulation package (e.g. NASTRAN, ABAQUS, ANSYS)
  • Experience using a high-end CAD software design package (e.g. NX, CATIA, Solidworks, etc.)
  • Experience designing and executing qualification testing
  • Experience leading or working on an engineering competition team, i.e. Formula SAE, Baja SAE, RoboSub, Solar Car, Combat Robotics, or similar

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS: 

  • Active Top Secret or Top Secret SCI clearance. Note that an active clearance may provide the opportunity for you to work on sensitive SpaceX missions. If so, you will be subject to pre-employment drug and random drug and alcohol testing
  • Must be willing to travel (approximately 10%) to other SpaceX locations, as necessary 
  • Ability to pass Air Force background checks for Cape Canaveral and Vandenberg
  • Must be willing to work long hours and occasional weekends when necessary to support proposal or critical project timelines 

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS:

Pay range:

Mechanical Engineer/Level 1: $95,000.00-$115,000.00/per year

Mechanical 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. Those with an active clearance will receive a 10% differential, up to an additional $15,000 annually, once officially briefed into a classified program.

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. 

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. 

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