Dragon Recovery Engineer at SpaceX
Cape Canaveral, FL
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.
DRAGON RECOVERY ENGINEER
As a Dragon recovery engineer you will be focused on Dragon recovery vessel mission readiness, personnel training, initial stages of vehicle refurbishment, and recovery mission execution. In this role, you will work with the team supporting shoreside and offshore operations to troubleshoot issues, plan repairs and maintenance, and verify mission readiness of mission specific recovery ground support equipment. You will be responsible for developing and improving concepts of operations for mission training and execution, equipment reliability, vehicle recovery and processing, writing test plans and procedures to improve recovery efficiency, and taking extreme ownership over the ground support equipment, dragon recovery vessels, and recovering Dragon spacecraft capsules offshore.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
Work with a staff of engineers, specialists, and technicians to achieve overall success Dragon recovery program to include both crew and cargo missions
Learn and improve Dragon recovery vehicle operations in the post recovery phase monitoring spacecraft system status and participating in refurbishment operations
Support offshore operations in both the lead and individual roles during dragon missions
Provide extreme ownership over SpaceX's fleet of recovery vessels and associated recovery equipment, focusing on Ground Segment Equipment (telemetry and optical systems), network infrastructure, Ground Software, coding and automation
Provide technical and strategic guidance to other engineers, specialists and technicians on the team regarding electrical, fluid, network, PLC, optical, RF and telemetry, spacecraft, and network system
Manufacture, build, install, activate, and modify Dragon recovery systems - mechanical, fluid and electrical systems
Provide on-mission support in troubleshooting equipment at sea when necessary
Provide offshore engineering support during mission operations, including spending a week or more at sea
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:
Bachelor's degree in an engineering or science discipline
2+ years of experience developing, operating, and/or processing equipment in any combination of the following areas: marine, automotive, aerospace, manufacturing systems, data control systems, telemetery and RF systems, IT network systems, coding and auto sequences, vehicle control systems (previous internship/project experience can be considered)
PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:
2+ years of hands-on experience building, maintaining, modifying, and operating ground support equipment
Experience with hypergolic systems
Experience planning, executing and improving operations involving more than 10 personnel and multiple independent teams
Experience with hazardous chemical/material handling
Experience with small boat handling in offshore conditions
Experience with controlling spacecraft vehicles using Graphical User Interfaces (GUI) and controlling associated hardware
Experience with Ground Software and Ground Segment equipment (RF and imagery hardware and software)
Experience with network control and data systems
Experience in writing test plans and test procedures for quality controlled parts, systems, or operations
Experience participating in and overseeing operational execution of written instructions
Experience with complex, multi-disciplinary system assemblies
Past work experience, internships, or projects related to aerospace vehicles/payloads, automotive, aircraft, or marine assemblies
ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:
Ability to pass Air Force background checks for Cape Canaveral Space Force Base, Patrick Space Force Base, Kennedy Space Center, and Vandenberg Space Force Base
Ability to obtain USCG Merchant Mariners Credential which includes drug testing, vision, and physical exam
Ability to wear supplied air respirator
Must be available for all shifts, extended hours, and/or weekends as needed
Must be able to lift up to 25 lbs unassisted
Must be able to work outdoors and in maritime environments
Must be able to support offshore operations, including working recovery missions at sea
COMPENSATION & BENEFITS:
Pay range:
Recovery Engineer/Level I: $95,000.00 - $115,000.00/per year
Recovery Engineer/Level II: $110,000.00 - $125,000.00/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 & long-term disability insurance, life insurance, paid parental leave, and various other discounts and perks. You may also accrue 3 weeks of paid vacation & will be eligible for 10 or more paid holidays per year. Exempt employees are eligible for 5 days of sick leave per year.
ITAR REQUIREMENTS:
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 notify the Human Resources Department at (310) 363-6000.
