Launch Engineer, Fluid Systems (Starship)

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. LAUNCH ENGINEER, FLUID SYSTEMS (STARSHIP) Aggressively-paced, constantly-evolving, results-focused, real-as-it-gets engineering positions available for the ambitious. We design, build, activate, modify, improve, and maintain the fluid systems that fuel the most powerful rocket in the world. Aimed at pivoting and fixing issues every day, you can plan on having your skills put to the test, having hardware you designed, made, and installed the same day in a development-focused environment. From tens of thousands of gallons per minute of cryogens to tens of pounds per second of high-pressure gas, we develop clever solutions to meet the needs of a demanding launch and test program both today and in the future. RESPONSIBILITIES: Analyze, design, and build systems that support critical rocket launches and testing Cradle-to-grave project ownership through hosting design reviews, project decision justification, equipment procurement, and coordination and assistance of the construction of your ideas Design modular hardware capable of being manufactured at volume for future launch sites across the world Apply interdisciplinary engineering skills in fields of system-level process design and initial sizing, detailed pressurized fluid and thermal analysis, structural engineering, materials, and component selection, and cost/schedule optimization Work directly with technicians and support groups to build your designs, and fix real-world problems on the fly Maintain a tight feedback loop with the launch operations team to rapidly alter plans as necessary to meet tight deadlines Activate and troubleshoot equipment to achieve design objectives and iterate system maintenance strategies to reduce future downtimes Independently evaluate complex problems and arrive at solutions to seemingly impractical problems that best support the program Hands-on approach to tackling daily field projects necessary to keep the company launching rockets BASIC QUALIFICATIONS: Bachelor’s degree in physics, mechanical engineering, chemical engineering, aerospace engineering, or other engineering discipline 1+ years of hands-on build or design experience (internship, club, and competition team experience qualifies) PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE: Ability to work independently as well as part of a team, take initiative, and communicate effectively Ability to rapidly change roles/responsibilities while maintaining a high sense of urgency in a high-paced, challenging work environment Willingness to perform other related duties to ensure an efficient and effective work environment Experience with quick thinking and problem-solving in stressful situations Experience solving challenges posed by short deadlines Strong fundamental intuition of fluid and/or structural/mechanical systems Creativity to imagine and design for reliability, efficiency, and maintainability from scratch General hands-on experience with machining, welding, and other fabrication techniques is a plus Experience with instrumentation, testing, data review and analysis, verification against a model 3+ years of mechanical, fluids, or thermal design experience in an industrial setting or equivalent Experience with high-pressure and cryogenic fluid systems and components Experience producing drawings for welders and machine shop fabrication Collaborative team player, eager to find the best solution while balancing cost and schedule Acute attention to detail, ability to see interactions with other systems to avoid problems Intermediate skill level using CAD (NX a plus) Ability to verify designs with simplified hand calculations; experience in finite element analysis (FEA) or computational fluid dynamics (CFD) is a plus American Socie