Mechanical Engineer, Flight Termination System (Starship)

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.

MECHANICAL ENGINEER, FLIGHT TERMINATION SYSTEM (STARSHIP)

As a member of the Flight Termination System team, you will have the exciting opportunity to be responsible for the design of the Starship Flight Termination System hardware and explosives! You will demonstrate extreme ownership through deep understanding of the functionality, design, and requirements from concept to delivery of hardware. You will have ownership over the entire development process of Flight Termination System hardware including hardware design, analysis, production facility layout, electromechanical assembly, live ordnance assembly, environmental testing, and vehicle integration. As an extreme owner you will be responsible for interfacing with regulatory partners to implement, tailor, and challenge space industry regulatory requirements to achieve the best outcomes. Our development timelines are aggressive and the Flight Termination System is one of the few safety critical systems on the vehicle. The hardware that makes up the FTS requires extremely high levels of rigor and you will solve very challenging problems at the intersection of safety critical hardware and high explosives.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Develop state-of-the-art, manufacturable explosive devices and robust hardware integration designs (system controllers, electronic safe and arm devices, destruct charges, and integrated detonators) for the Starship and Super Heavy stage Flight Termination System

Question requirements, delete parts and processes, simplify/optimize, accelerate, and automate component deliveries

Validate reliability of hardware and designs with rigorous testing in shock, vibration, thermal cycling, climatic and live fire testing

Design experiments to ground analysis, develop fixturing, and create technical reports based on results

Partner with manufacturing, production, testing, and supply chain to achieve SpaceX’s highest-yet component build rate, striving for high factory yield and automotive volume/cost. Accelerate component delivery to 1 full stacked launch vehicle per month

Generate and maintain detailed drawings, component specifications, analysis and risk assessments

Spearhead root cause investigations that arise in development, production, test, integration and launch, implement corrective actions to prevent repeat failures

Set the standard for highly reliable component design and qualification testing to strict regulatory standards

Achieve zero in-flight anomalies of flight termination system components

Reduce component-caused production and launch delays, and minimize containments

Act as the chief engineer, collaborating with stage, avionics, and flight safety teams to arrive at the simplest solution for the vehicle

Inform system-level architecture, with component capabilities and vulnerabilities in mind, to minimize cost of payload to orbit

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:

Bachelor's degree in an engineering discipline

1+ years of experience in mechanical design and/or hands-on manufacturing (internships and project teams qualify)

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:

Strong interpersonal and collaborative skills, enthusiasm for problem solving, and desire to optimize modern rocket production and launch processes

1+ years of experience designing and analyzing mechanical systems via professional work experience, project/research-based student experience, or a combination of both

Experience with LSDYNA/ANSYS, BlastX, CHEETA, and/or Hydrocode

Master's degree or 1+ years of professional experience in mechanical or aerospace engineering

Experience designing, building, testing and troubleshooting mechanical systems

Strong project management skills and effective communication of technical concepts across multi-disciplinary teams

Hands-on experience with high voltage, electronics, or explosives

Leadership experience on a project or research team

Experience using test instrumentation and control components (e.g. pressure transducers, thermocouples, resistance temperature detectors, relays, solenoid valves, etc.)

Knowledge of electro-mechanical devices, actuators, motors, or explosives

Understanding of fundamental principles of explosives, solid mechanics, and dynamics

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

Extended hours and weekend work may be required to support critical project and mission milestones

Must be willing to handle and test high explosive devices

Must be willing and able to obtain ATF explosives clearance

Must be willing to travel ( 25%)

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS:

Pay range:

Level I: $100,000.00 - $117,500.00/per year

Level II: $115,000.00 - $140,000.00/per year

Your actual level and base salary will be determined on a case-by-case basis and may vary based o…