Propulsion Engineer (Raptor Final Assembly & Tube Shop)

SpaceX
Hawthorne, US
On-site

Who this role is best for

Best suited to mechanical or aerospace engineers with hands-on manufacturing experience who thrive in high-volume production environments.

Best fit for

  • Engineers with experience in fluid and electrical systems assembly will align well with core responsibilities.
    — “Experience with the building and testing of fluid and electrical systems
  • Candidates who have transitioned products from development to mass production will find immediate relevance.
    — “Experience taking products through development cycle to full volume production
  • Those comfortable with extended floor presence and weekend work match operational demands.
    — “Ability to work directly with the hardware on the floor for extended periods of time

Things to consider

  • US citizenship or permanent residency is mandatory due to export control regulations.
    — “applicant must be a (i) U.S. citizen or national
  • Extended hours and weekend work are explicitly stated as likely requirements.
    — “Position may require extended hours and weekend work

How to stand out

  • Highlight specific examples where you refined assembly processes for volume scaling.
    — “Develop, qualify, and refine assembly processes to enable high volume production
  • Demonstrate CAD proficiency with NX and GD&T through portfolio pieces.
    — “Experience with NX (UG or equivalent) CAD and geometric dimensioning and tolerancing
  • Showcase error-proofing initiatives from past manufacturing roles.
    — “Experience in process development, value stream layout, PFMEA, and error proofing
Pace · Fast PacedCollaboration · HighAutonomy · MediumDecision Impact · TeamLevel · Junior

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

What success looks like

  • Develop and refine assembly processes for high volume production
  • Resolve build issues and implement robust corrective actions
  • Design tooling for new and existing products
Typical background
Bachelor's degree in Mechanical, Aerospace, or Manufacturing EngineeringExperience in manufacturing processes

Skills & requirements

Required

Mechanical EngineeringAerospace EngineeringManufacturing EngineeringAssembly ProcessesTooling Design

Preferred

Experience With NX (UG Or Equivalent) CADDesign For Manufacturability And Assembly

Stack & domain

Mechanical DesignManufacturing EngineeringCadGd&tNxProblem-solvingDecision-makingCollaborationPropulsion EngineeringAssembly ProcessesManufacturing

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.

PROPULSION ENGINEER – RAPTOR FINAL ASSEMBLY & TUBE SHOP

RESPONSIBILITIES: 

Responsible for overseeing the build and test processes for the Raptor final assembly & Tube Shop production area

Develop, qualify, and refine assembly processes to enable high volume production of engines

Think creatively; question the status quo; challenge engineering and manufacturing requirements to drive efficient production of Raptor engines on schedule through collaboration with a multidisciplinary team of engineers (design, build, and reliability), internal production teams, and external vendors

Work with design engineering to develop design and manufacturing standards that reduce final assembly burden; implement a maintainable and lasting system of reasonable and powerful requirements

Resolve build issues, disposition nonconforming conditions, perform root cause analysis, and implement robust corrective actions

Extreme owner oftooling design, fabrication, qualification and improvement, based on analysis and data 

Design tooling for new and existing products to support rate production

Streamline existing production builds to minimize cost while improving quality and efficiency

Implement standard practices, troubleshooting guides, and standard repair procedures, including review and approval of planning documents

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS: 

Bachelor's degree in mechanical, aerospace, or manufacturing engineering

1+ years of mechanical design and manufacturing experience from either industry or collegiate engineering projects such as Formula SAE, Baja SAE, or Design Build Fly

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE: 

Experience with the building and testing of fluid and electrical systems, and interpreting schematics

Documentation and configuration management experience

Experience writing test plans, procedures and providing go/no-go judgment and rationale

Experience taking products through development cycle to full volume production

Solid understanding of a variety of manufacturing processes, including machining, welding, drilling, and automation

Ability to work with minimal supervision

Experience with Design for Manufacturability and Assembly

Experience with NX (UG or equivalent) CAD and geometric dimensioning and tolerancing (GD&T) for component and tooling design

Process development, facility and line layouts

Experience in process development, value stream layout, PFMEA, and error proofing 

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS: 

Ability to work directly with the hardware on the floor for extended periods of time

Position may require extended hours and weekend work

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS:

Pay range:          

Propulsion Engineer/Level I: $100,000.00 - $115,000.00/per year

Propulsion Engineer/Level II: $110,000.00 - $135,000.00/per year

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, stock options, 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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