Facilities Engineer (Fluids & Cryogenics)

SpaceX
Redmond, WA
On-site

Who this role is best for

Geared toward candidates with hands-on mechanical engineering experience comfortable with troubleshooting and maintaining cryogenic systems.

Best fit for

  • Candidates with experience in industrial compressed air and cryogenic systems maintenance
    — “1+ years of professional experience with compressed air systems, cryogenic systems, and other industrial utility systems
  • Engineers with a background in fluid dynamics and thermodynamics
    — “Strong working knowledge of fluid dynamics, thermodynamics, and process engineering
  • Professionals who can manage cross-functional projects and vendor coordination
    — “Demonstrated project management skills with experience leading capital projects, managing equipment vendors, and coordinating cross-functional engineering teams

Things to consider

  • Physical demands include working in extreme environments and lifting up to 25 lbs unassisted
    — “Physical ability to perform hands-on work in various environments, including heat, cold, rain, and tight quarters
  • The role requires occasional travel and may involve extended work hours and weekends
    — “Ability to travel occasionally as required by project needs

How to stand out

  • Highlight experience with cryogenic piping systems and ASME/NFPA compliance
    — “Previous experience overseeing the design and installation of process gas and cryogenic piping systems
  • Demonstrate your ability to optimize utility system performance and reduce lifecycle costs
    — “Monitor and optimize utility system performance with a focus on equipment reliability, energy efficiency, and lifecycle cost reduction
  • Showcase your ability to lead mechanical system design and installation initiatives
    — “Lead the design, installation, and maintenance of industrial compressed air systems, including compressors, dryers, filters, receivers, piping, and controls
  • Demonstrate your capability to respond to emergencies and minimize production downtime
    — “Provide rapid response for emergency troubleshooting and restoration of critical utility systems to minimize production downtime
Pace · SteadyCollaboration · MediumAutonomy · MediumDecision Impact · Team

Derived from job-description analysis by Serendipath's career intelligence engine.

What success looks like

  • Lead the design, installation, and maintenance of industrial compressed air systems
Typical background
Bachelor's degree in Mechanical, Electrical, or a related engineering discipline

Skills & requirements

Required

Compressed Air SystemsCryogenic SystemsPlant Utility SystemsMechanical Systems DesignTroubleshooting

Preferred

Process Gas And Cryogenic Piping SystemsHigh-pressure Environment Experience

Stack & domain

Mechanical EngineeringElectrical EngineeringCompressed Air SystemsCryogenic SystemsCommunicationLeadershipSpace IndustryMechanical Systems

About the role

Original posting from SpaceX via Greenhouse

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.

FACILITIES ENGINEER (FLUIDS & CRYOGENICS)

As a Facilities Engineer (Fluids & Cryogenics) at our Starlink Production facility, you will play a crucial role in ensuring the safety, integrity, and efficiency of our mechanical systems. You will be responsible for troubleshooting, evaluating, and improving various mechanical systems, including compressed air, cryogenic, and hydronic systems site-wide. Your expertise will drive continuous improvement initiatives, support sustainability goals, and ensure compliance with safety and environmental regulations. Additionally, you will be tasked with designing upgrades and overseeing the installation of new mechanical systems and processes, with the goal of creating a world-class facility that can support the mission of connecting people across the globe and enabling life beyond Earth. This position is based in Redmond, Washington. 

RESPONSIBILITIES: 

Lead the design, installation, and maintenance of industrial compressed air systems, including compressors, dryers, filters, receivers, piping, and controls

Lead the design, installation and maintenance of industrial cryogenic systems, including liquid nitrogen, liquid argon, and gaseous nitrogen

Support the operation and maintenance of plant utility systems, including process exhaust fans, pumps, chillers, compressors, reverse osmosis skids and other critical equipment

Perform equipment sizing, selection, and engineering calculations for pumps, valves, pressure vessels, compressors, and related mechanical systems

Assist in troubleshooting and root cause analysis for equipment failures, system-level issues, and safety-related concerns

Develop and implement preventive and predictive maintenance strategies to improve reliability of critical mechanical assets

Monitor and optimize utility system performance with a focus on equipment reliability, energy efficiency, and lifecycle cost reduction

Review engineering drawings, P&IDs, equipment submittals, and technical specifications to ensure design integrity and compliance 

Assist with commissioning, acceptance testing, startup, and shutdown activities for mechanical utility systems

Collaborate with controls, automation, and electrical teams to integrate mechanical equipment with PLC, SCADA, and BMS platforms

Manage contractors and vendors for maintenance activities and capital projects, ensuring quality, schedule, and budget adherence

Ensure compliance with applicable codes and standards for mechanical systems, pressure vessels, piping, cryogenics, and safety

Provide rapid response for emergency troubleshooting and restoration of critical utility systems to minimize production downtime

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS 

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical, Electrical, or a related engineering discipline 

1+ years of professional experience with compressed air systems, cryogenic systems, and other industrial utility systems 

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE 

Advanced degree in Mechanical, Electrical, or a related engineering discipline 

Previous experience overseeing the design and installation of process gas and cryogenic piping systems 

Proven ability to prioritize and execute tasks in a high-pressure, fast-paced environment 

Self-motivated with strong attention to detail 

Strong working knowledge of fluid dynamics, thermodynamics, and process engineering 

Strong knowledge of rotating equipment, including positive displacement pumps, rotary screw compressors, vacuum pumps, process fans and other utility equipment's 

Knowledge of applicable codes and standards, including ASME, NFPA, OSHA, ANSI, and API 

Demonstrated project management skills with experience leading capital projects, managing equipment vendors, and coordinating cross-functional engineering teams 

Ability to work effectively in a collaborative, integrated team environment with daily interaction across technicians, engineers, and managers 

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS: 

Physical ability to perform hands-on work in various environments, including heat, cold, rain, and tight quarters 

Ability to work extended hours and weekends as needed 

Ability to travel occasionally as required by project needs 

Valid driver's license 

Ability to lift up to 25 lbs. unassisted 

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS:

Pay Range:

Level 1: $100,000.00 - $135,000.00

Level 2: $115,000.00 - $165,000.00

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 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. Employees in Washington State accrue paid sick time in compliance with state and federal law. Company shuttles are offered to employees for roundtrip travel from select Seattle locations to the SpaceX Redmond office Monday to Friday.

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. 

Source: SpaceX careers (Greenhouse)

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