Principal Mechanical Engineer (Starship)

SpaceX
Starbase, TX
On-site

Who this role is best for

Geared toward candidates with mechanical engineering expertise and a track record in high-performance systems design, comfortable with end-to-end hardware development and cross-functional collaboration.

Best fit for

  • Candidates with a strong background in mechanical design and structural analysis for aerospace systems
    — “Experience designing, analyzing, building, and testing high performance, mechanical systems”
  • Individuals who thrive in roles requiring technical leadership and full-cycle hardware development
    — “You will own mechanical scope from concept through design, fabrication, construction, and commissioning”
  • Engineers with a history of interdisciplinary teamwork and systems integration
    — “Collaborate with peers across disciplines to develop designs that balance cost, schedule, reliability, and capability”

Things to consider

  • Must be eligible for U.S. Government export regulations, which limits international applicants
    — “To conform to U.S. Government export regulations, applicant must be a (i) U.S. citizen or national...”
  • The role requires on-site presence at Starbase, TX, with flexibility for extended hours and weekends
    — “Must be available to work extended hours and weekends when needed based on site operational needs”

How to stand out

  • Emphasize your ability to validate designs through testing and commissioning of hardware systems
    — “Validate your designs through development hardware, mockups, or first articles, and test critical joints...”
  • Showcase your proficiency in FEA or multiphysics simulation tools like ANSYS or ABAQUS
    — “Experience with FEA or multiphysics simulation package (e.g. NASTRAN, ABAQUS, ANSYS)”
  • Demonstrate your capability to lead design decisions and interface with construction and operations teams
    — “Set the technical direction, work across engineering, construction, and operations...”
  • Include examples of how you have applied first-order hand calculations in design iteration processes
    — “Apply first-order hand calculations and empirical formulas to assess and iterate on your designs rapidly”
Pace · Fast PacedCollaboration · HighAutonomy · HighDecision Impact · Company

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

What success looks like

  • Develop design concepts
  • Create detailed designs
Typical background
7+ years of experience with mechanical design and analysis

Skills & requirements

Required

Mechanical Design And AnalysisFEA Or Multiphysics SimulationQualification Testing

Preferred

Analytical/scientific Programming Experience

Stack & domain

Mechanical DesignAnalysisCAD ModelsAnalysis ModelsHand CalculationsEmpirical FormulasDevelopment HardwareMockupsFirst ArticlesTestingCommissioningConstructionOperationsPower GenerationFluid And Cooling SystemsStructures And EquipmentFEMMultiphysics SimulationFEANastranAbaqusAnsysQualification TestingMaterialsManufacturing MethodsMechanical First PrinciplesStructural Analysis MethodologiesPythonMatlabExcelTeamworkCommunicationAdaptabilityProblem-solvingAttention To DetailSelf-motivationMechanical EngineeringFluid SystemsCooling SystemsStructuresEquipmentProductionReliabilitySecurityObservabilityCostSite ConditionsFacility DesignSite OperationsMechanical SystemsHigh PerformanceStructural Analysis

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.

PRINCIPAL MECHANICAL ENGINEER (STARSHIP)

SpaceX is looking for a Principal Mechanical Engineer to help build the infrastructure behind power generation and supercompute at Starbase. You will own mechanical scope from concept through design, fabrication, construction, and commissioning. The work can span power generation, fluid and cooling systems, and the structures and equipment that production depends on. You will set the technical direction, work across engineering, construction, and operations, and see your decisions show up in hardware that has to perform in the field.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Develop design concepts from a clean sheet and size infrastructure systems based on operational loads, site conditions, and how the facility will actually run

Collaborate with peers across disciplines to develop designs that balance cost, schedule, reliability, and capability

Create detailed designs and generate CAD models for components, assemblies, and integration into the larger site

Build analysis models to assess your designs in detail and confirm they meet the needs of the system

Apply first-order hand calculations and empirical formulas to assess and iterate on your designs rapidly

Validate your designs through development hardware, mockups, or first articles, and test critical joints, components, and design elements

Support testing and commissioning of subsystems and full installations

Partner with construction, build engineers, and technicians to improve your designs

Support installation of your hardware in the field, witness your designs being built and brought online, and see them go into service

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:

Bachelor's degree in an engineering discipline

7+ years of experience with mechanical design and analysis

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:

Experience designing, analyzing, building, and testing high performance, mechanical systems

Experience working within interdisciplinary teams to develop solutions to challenging and complex problems

Experience with FEA or multiphysics simulation package (e.g. NASTRAN, ABAQUS, ANSYS)

Experience designing and executing qualification testing

Strong understanding of mechanical first principles and structural analysis methodologies

Proficiency in selecting materials and manufacturing methods for mechanical components

Analytical/scientific programming experience (i.e. Python, Matlab, Excel)

Self-motivated with strong organizational, written, and oral communication skills

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

Must be available to work extended hours and weekends when needed based on site operational needs; flexibility required

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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