Sr. Structural Engineer (Starship Launch Pad )

SpaceX
Starbase, TX
On-site

Who this role is best for

Strong fit for candidates with hands-on civil/structural engineering experience who lead cross-disciplinary teams and resolve complex field issues.

Best fit for

  • Candidates with hands-on civil/structural design experience and leadership in multidisciplinary teams
    — “Lead the project team, consulting engineers and contractors throughout the entirety of the civil and structural engineering”
  • Professionals who can manage construction contracts and resolve conflicts in real-time
    — “Write, negotiate, and manage construction contracts with subcontractors across multiple disciplines through contract close-out”

Things to consider

  • No remote work option available despite unspecified employment type
    — “This position is based in Starbase, Texas (Brownsville/South Padre Island Area), and requires being onsite – remote work not considered”
  • Requires working in extreme physical conditions and wearing PPE
    — “Ability to work in temperatures over 80 degrees 6 hours or greater per day”
  • Must meet U.S. export regulations, limiting eligibility to specific nationalities
    — “To conform to U.S. Government export regulations, applicant must be a (i) U.S. citizen or national”

How to stand out

  • Highlight leadership in managing construction contracts and resolving on-site conflicts
    — “Write, negotiate, and manage construction contracts with subcontractors across multiple disciplines”
  • Emphasize experience with structural analysis software like SAP 2000 or ETABS
    — “Experience with SAP 2000, STAAD Pro, RISA-3D, ETABS, or similar analysis software”
  • Demonstrate expertise in AISC, ACI, and IBC codes through specific project examples
    — “Knowledge of American Institute of Steel Construction (AISC) steel manual, American Concrete Institute (ACI) code 318”
  • Showcase ability to work in extreme environments and perform physical tasks as described
    — “Ability to perform hands-on work in all environments (heat, cold, rain), in tight quarters or at heights”
Pace · Fast PacedCollaboration · HighAutonomy · MediumDecision Impact · Team

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

What success looks like

  • led project teams in civil and structural engineering
  • developed and issued drawings and reports for aerospace and industrial projects
  • resolved design and construction conflicts in real-time
Typical background
5+ years of professional experience in civil or structural design, analysis, construction, and drafting

Skills & requirements

Required

Civil EngineeringStructural EngineeringProject ManagementConstruction ManagementStructural Design And AnalysisContract Negotiation

Preferred

Mechanical EngineeringElectrical EngineeringGeotechnical EngineeringSurveyingData-driven Decision Making

Stack & domain

Civil EngineeringStructural EngineeringDesign And Analysis CalculationsConstruction ContractsOnsite Engineering InspectionsField ObservationsStructural Detail DrawingsAnalysis SoftwareSteel ConstructionConcrete ConstructionProject ManagementContract NegotiationConstruction ManagementProblem-solvingLeadershipCommunicationTeamworkDecision-makingTime ManagementAdaptabilityAttention To DetailPESEAerospaceIndustrialCommercialStructural SteelConcreteMechanical EngineeringElectrical EngineeringPipingGeotechnical EngineeringSurveying

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.

SR. STRUCTURAL ENGINEER (STARSHIP LAUNCH PAD)

As a member of the launch pad development team, you will work with a group of elite engineers across multiple disciplines to design, build, and activate a second orbital launch pad and ancillary infrastructure that will further enable orbital launch capability for the most powerful rocket in the world, Starship. This position is based in Starbase, Texas (Brownsville/South Padre Island Area).

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Lead the project team, consulting engineers and contractors throughout the entirety of the civil and structural engineering, procurement, construction, and commissioning process

Develop and issue drawings, design documentation, and reports for aerospace, industrial, and commercial type projects

Perform both civil and structural design and analysis calculations for structural steel and concrete

Write, negotiate, and manage construction contracts with subcontractors across multiple disciplines through contract close-out

Manage the civil and structural aspects of construction projects

Provide direct onsite engineering inspections and field observations

Resolve design and construction conflicts in the field in real-time

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:

Bachelor’s degree in civil engineering, structural engineering, or other engineering discipline

5+ years of professional experience in civil or structural design, analysis, construction, and drafting

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:

Demonstrated experience where quick thinking and tangible problem-solving skills play a critical role

Demonstrated experience fostering an environment of extremely high personal accountability and responsibility

Understanding of other disciplines such as: mechanical, electrical, piping, geotechnical, and surveying

Experience creating structural detail drawings in AutoCAD, Revit, NX, Solidworks or similar drafting programs

Experience with SAP 2000, STAAD Pro, RISA-3D, ETABS, or similar analysis software

Knowledge of American Institute of Steel Construction (AISC) steel manual, American Concrete Institute (ACI) code 318, American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) 7, and International Building Codes (IBC)

Strong ability to use data and analysis to make fast data-driven decisions

Professional Engineering (PE) or Structural Engineering (SE) license

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

This position is based in Starbase, Texas (Brownsville/South Padre Island Area), and requires being onsite – remote work not considered

Ability to perform hands-on work in all environments (heat, cold, rain), in tight quarters or at heights

Ability to work extended hours and weekends as needed

Ability to focus while working in hazardous conditions and wearing appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE)

Stand: Up to 6 hours per day

Sit: Up to 6 hours per day

Push/Pull: Up to ≤ 50 lbs. (unassisted) 15 minutes or less per day

Overhead reach: Up to 3 hours per day

Walk: Up to 10 hours per day

Lift/Carry: Up to ≤ 25 lbs. (unassisted) 15 minutes or less per day

Climb (ladder/stairs): Up to 10 hours per day

Kneel/Crouch: Up to 3 hours per day

Upper body twist: Up to 3 hours per day

Ability to work in temperatures over 80 degrees 6 hours or greater per day

Candidate must be capable of safely working at heights (up to 500ft), in confined spaces, using an air purifying respirator, operating heavy equipment and machinery, and performing the physical requirements of the job listed in the job description. Candidate may be required to complete a pre-employment questionnaire and/or physical to confirm these capabilities, which may include a medical history review.

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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