Loads & Dynamics Engineer (Starfall)

SpaceX
Hawthorne, CA
On-site

Who this role is best for

Geared toward mid-level engineers comfortable with dynamic event simulation and hardware analysis, this role is ideal for those with a technical background in aerospace and a strong inclination for hands-on testing and integrated team collaboration in California.

Best fit for

  • Mid-level engineers with CAD/FEA experience and a background in aerospace or physics
    — “Bachelor's degree in aerospace, physics, or an engineering discipline
  • Candidates who thrive in collaborative, cross-team environments
    — “work closely with Starfall responsible engineers as well as the Falcon dynamics team
  • Individuals with strong analytical skills and a preference for real-world engineering applications
    — “Demonstrated ability to develop/analyze hardware within an integrated engineering team outside of a classroom setting

Things to consider

  • This role requires U.S. citizenship or residency due to ITAR export regulations
    — “applicant must be a (i) U.S. citizen or national, (ii) U.S. lawful, permanent resident
  • Candidates must be prepared to work long hours and weekends as needed
    — “Ability to work long hours and weekends as necessary

How to stand out

  • Highlight experience with frequency-domain signal processing and vibration analysis
    — “experience with frequency-domain signal processing and analysis
  • Showcase projects involving dynamic simulation or testing of hardware systems
    — “Execute dynamic testing from start-to-finish including pre-test analysis
  • Demonstrate proficiency in analytical programming with Python or Matlab
    — “Analytical/scientific programming experience (Python, Matlab)
  • Emphasize your ability to correlate simulations with flight data
    — “Full ownership of dynamic event analysis by developing in-house computer programs and correlating with flight data
  • Include examples of working in integrated teams on real-world engineering tasks
    — “developing/analyzing hardware within an integrated engineering team outside of a classroom setting
Pace · Fast PacedCollaboration · HighAutonomy · MediumDecision Impact · TeamLevel · Mid

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

What success looks like

  • build finite element models
  • execute dynamic testing
  • develop in-house computer programs
Typical background
Bachelor's degree in aerospace, physics, or engineering discipline1+ years of experience with CAD and FEA software1+ years of experience with dynamic analysis

Skills & requirements

Required

CADFEA SoftwareDynamic AnalysisHardware IntuitionFrequency-domain Signal Processing

Preferred

Commercial FEA Or Multiphysics Simulation PackageAnalytical/scientific Programming ExperienceClassical MechanicsDeformable BodiesStatistics/probability

Stack & domain

CADFEA SoftwareDynamic AnalysisPythonMatlabCommunicationAerospacePhysicsEngineering

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.

LOADS & DYNAMICS ENGINEER (STARFALL)

The Starfall team is developing the world’s first high-capacity, high-cadence, and low-cost re-entry space capsule. The Starfall capsule will unlock rapid global mobility by enabling point-point cargo delivery anywhere on Earth in under an hour. Additionally, the Starfall capsule could facilitate numerous other capabilities such as in-space manufacturing and on-orbit research.

In this role, you will work closely with Starfall responsible engineers as well as the Falcon dynamics team to drive hardware and mission design decisions. This role will involve simulation of dynamic events, contributing to in-house computer programs, and hands-on testing. You will be responsible for all low and high frequency loads and vibration for the capsule during ground transportation, launch/ascent, on-orbit operations, and re-entry. Strong candidates for this role will have excellent hardware intuition as well as experience with frequency-domain signal processing and analysis.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Build finite element models and run coupled loads analysis

Perform other analyses as required such as spacecraft separation and fatigue analysis

Execute dynamic testing from start-to-finish including pre-test analysis, sensor selection & installation, testing, and correlation

Full ownership of dynamic event analysis by developing in-house computer programs and correlating with flight data

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:

Bachelor's degree in aerospace, physics, or an engineering discipline

1+ years of experience with CAD and FEA software

1+ years of experience with dynamic analysis

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:

Master’s degree in an engineering discipline

Demonstrated ability to develop/analyze hardware within an integrated engineering team outside of a classroom setting

Experience with a commercial FEA or Multiphysics simulation package (NASTRAN, FEMAP, LS-DYNA)

Analytical/scientific programming experience (Python, Matlab)

Highly proficient in classical mechanics, deformable bodies, and statistics/probability

Excellent oral and written communication skills

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

Ability to work long hours and weekends as necessary to support critical milestones 

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS:

Pay Range:

Level 1: $100,000.00 - $130,000.00

Level 2: $115,000.00 - $160,000.00

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 accrue paid sick leave pursuant to Company policy which satisfies or exceeds the accrual, carryover, and use requirements of the law.

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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