Turbomachinery Engineer, Inducer Hydrodynamics at SpaceX
Hawthorne, CA, United States
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.
TURBOMACHINERY ENGINEER, INDUCER HYDRODYNAMICS
Lead the design, development and qualification of rocket turbopump inducers for multiple applications at SpaceX, taking the designs from initial concept to flight or other operations. Being successful in this role will require a strong technical knowledge of inducers, cavitation dynamics, coupled hydrodynamic and mechanical design and a broader turbomachinery system understanding as well as the ability to work with a wider team of specialists in the various sub systems. Ensuring that inducer solutions are developed with aggressive manufacturing goals, minimum cost/weight and on an aggressive schedule is also key to success.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
Design, build and test turbopumps for liquid fueled rocket engines and other rocket or spacecraft systems
Own critical turbomachinery components, as every engineer at SpaceX assumes profound responsibility for their hardware
Perform the hydrodynamic sizing and flow path design and analysis work for the turbopumps and other turbomachinery for spacecraft systems
Ensure that detailed mechanical analysis is performed on all the turbopump components/systems, reviewed and meets the required standards for life and reliability targets
Work with designers to prepare accurate and correct models and drawings for turbopump assembly and components, ensure that these drawings are correct and manufacturable with the available processes (or develop process to enable them)
Interface with our world-class production team to ensure designs are successfully translated into flight hardware that is revolutionizing access to space
Work with teams developing other systems (vehicle, feedlines, valves, etc.) to ensure that the inducer design is optimally integrated and that risks are well balanced across the system
Support both component and assembly testing. Be involved with defining the test configuration, the test process/execution and review the results to confirm
Lead the resolution of issues encountered with the turbopump during development/qualification testing
Support ongoing design improvements to turbopump assemblies and/or sub systems including manufacturing improvements to reduce cost and lead time of components
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:
Bachelor's degree in an engineering discipline
2+ years of professional experience in the design of inducers
Experience with commercial analysis (structural and fluids) software
PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:
Master's degree or higher in aeronautical/astronautical, aerospace or mechanical engineering
Strong understanding of inducer hydrodynamic design and cavitation dynamics
Strong understanding of turbomachinery aerodynamics, hydrodynamics and mechanical design
Strong understanding of thermodynamics, compressible and incompressible flow, thermochemistry mechanics and/or materials
Hands-on experience with turbomachinery hardware build
Experience with turbomachinery manufacturing and design of manufacturability
Experience with turbomachinery testing and engine testing
Experience with two-phase, unsteady computational fluid dynamics (CFD)
Professional experience using Siemens NX (Unigraphics) and ANSYS
Understanding of engineering fundamentals and the ability to perform basic analysis
Great attitude in the face of extreme challenges
Experience at a nimble engineering organization or in a highly technical position that required a scrappy, entrepreneurial manner to accomplish tasks with tight time or budget constraints
Excellent oral and written communication skills
Ability to deliver against an aggressive schedule
ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:
Willingness to travel in support of launching and testing of hardware
Willingness to work extended hours and weekends as needed to resolve critical technical or timing issues
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.
