Test Stand Design & Build Engineer (Structures/Fluid Systems)

• Analyze, design, and build systems that support testing of fully integrated flight vehicles, individual rocket engines, and various rocket components.

• Drive cradle-to-grave ownership of engineering projects through design reviews, decision justifications, equipment procurement, and coordination/participation in the construction of your ideas

• Work directly with skilled technicians to build your designs and fix real-world problems on the fly

• Maintain a tight feedback loop with the test operations team to rapidly alter plans as necessary to meet tight testing deadlines critical to company success

• Operate and troubleshoot equipment to achieve testing objectives, and apply lessons learned to iterate system designs for improved performance and maintenance

• Evaluate complex engineering needs and arrive at solutions to seemingly impractical problems that support test programs and achieve company objectives

• Take a hands-on approach to tackling rapidly-emerging field projects that keep the company testing rocket engines and vehicles every single day

• Bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering, aerospace engineering, chemical engineering, or other engineering discipline

• 1+ years of hands-on design or build experience (professional work, internships, clubs, or other engineering activities qualify)

• 3+ years of engineering design experience in an industrial setting or equivalent

• Strong fundamental understanding and intuition for fluid, structural, or mechanical systems

• Critical thinking and problem solving in stressful, dynamic situations

• Positive responses and outcomes to challenges posed by short deadlines

• Creativity to imagine and design for reliability, efficiency, and maintainability from scratch

• Hands-on build - machining, welding, and other fabrication techniques are a plus

• Driven approach to addressing challenges and opportunities - an enthusiastic, self-motivated, positive, can-do attitude

• Determining the best solution among several options, often balancing cost/schedule/complexity

• Acute attention to detail, and ability to see interactions with related systems to avoid problems

• Instrumentation and testing, data review and analysis, verification of models against reality

• High-pressure or cryogenic fluid systems and components

• Complex structural or mechanical systems and components.

• Design verification with simplified hand calculations and complex modeling - FEA or CFD is a plus

• Production of fabrication drawings for parts to be machined or welded

• Intermediate skill level using CAD - Siemens NX is a plus

• ASME piping and pressure vessel design

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills

• Availability to work extended hours and weekends as needed - flexibility is required

• Ability to work both independently and as part of a team, take individual initiative, and communicate effectively to peers, leadership, and customers

• Ability to rapidly change roles/responsibilities while maintaining a high sense of urgency in a fast-paced, challenging work environment

• Willingness to perform other related duties for the purpose of ensuring an efficient and effective work environment

• Availability to respond to emergencies to support priority projects, missions, and launches

• Ability to perform job duties that require standing, kneeling, crouching, twisting upper body, working in cramped positions in small openings, and climbing hand over hand

• Ability to lift heavy objects unassisted - up to 25 lbs

• Ability to work at elevated heights with proper PPE - up to 300 ft

• Ability to work in extreme outdoor environments when needed - heat, cold, wind, rain, etc.

• Ability to work in environments with exposure to fumes, odors, and noise

• Working conditions may be in tight quarters - physical dexterity is required

• 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 .