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Sr. Propulsion Design Engineer (Raptor Engine Systems)

SpaceXHawthorne, CA
On-site Full-time $125K/yr - $175K/yr
Position filled

Experience Level

Senior

Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related field; 5+ years of experience in propulsion design or a similar role; proficiency in CAD software; strong understanding of structural design and fluid systems; excellent communication and leadership skills; experience in multi-team projects and rocket engine development preferred.

About the role

At SpaceX, we believe in a future where humanity explores the stars, and we are actively creating the technologies to make that dream a reality. Our ultimate mission is to enable human life on Mars.

 

SENIOR PROPULSION DESIGN ENGINEER (RAPTOR ENGINE SYSTEMS)

The Raptor Systems Design team is on the lookout for a seasoned engineer to take ownership of defining, enforcing, and validating engine design criteria—bridging the gap between design, testing, analysis, and production. You will oversee the requirements for the world’s most advanced rocket engine, ensuring they effectively cascade to subsystems and are verified through comprehensive testing and analysis.

You will be responsible for maintaining and enhancing design documentation across the department (including DCRs, PDRs, CDRs), driving corrective actions for any deficiencies, and promoting best practices in design, development, and production. You will monitor the overall health of design criteria for the engine, report risks and gaps to leadership, and lead cross-team initiatives to resolve issues in ways that enhance the overall program.

This position requires an autonomous engineer with experience in hardware ownership, exceptional communication skills, and a strong background in CAD, structural design, and fluid systems. The ideal candidate will have a proven track record of successfully managing large, multi-team initiatives. Experience with rocket engines in both development and production environments is highly desirable. Your contributions will ensure that Raptor becomes the rocket engine that paves the way for a multiplanetary existence.


RESPONSIBILITIES:

  • Collaborate with subsystem and component owners to translate high-level requirements into clear, measurable criteria at lower levels.
  • Regularly audit design documentation to identify gaps, risks, and inconsistencies, and drive closure of findings.
  • Analyze test and analysis data to confirm that criteria are met, initiating follow-up actions when validation falls short.
  • Enhance departmental processes for design reviews (DCR, PDR, CDR) to improve efficiency and clarity of outcomes.
  • Compile and present periodic design health reports to leadership, emphasizing critical issues and progress trends.
  • Facilitate resolution of cross-team conflicts by balancing technical, scheduling, and program-wide priorities.
  • Promote design best practices by sharing lessons learned and aligning teams on standards for producibility, reliability, and performance.
  • Lead initiatives that integrate feedback from production, testing, and flight operations to refine and enhance design processes.

About SpaceX

SpaceX is a pioneering aerospace manufacturer and space transportation company founded with the vision of making human life multi-planetary. By developing revolutionary technologies, we aim to explore the cosmos and make space travel accessible and sustainable for future generations.

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