Solar Engineer (Crew Starship) 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.
SOLAR ENGINEER (CREW STARSHIP)
After 50 years, humankind will once again return to the surface of the moon using SpaceX's new vehicle, Crew Starship (also known as HLS or the Human Landing System) - this time for good. Starship will usher in the next era of manned spaceflight and exploration, ultimately allowing us to establish permanent communities on the Moon, Mars, and beyond.
As a Solar Engineer on the Crew Starship team, you will design and build photovoltaics and associated mechanisms that are critical to the success and safety of future astronauts. Your design solutions will be driven by the all future Crew Starship missions (Lunar, Mars, etc.). This role requires full hardware ownership, from initial design requirements and concepts all the way through design, analysis, prototype, qualification, and integration.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
Own the design and development of next generation photovoltaics and mechanisms for Crew Starship vehicles
Perform hand calculations and FEA to develop, assess, and optimize designs
Rapidly iterate on manufacturing processes and development testing in a fast-paced environment
Collaborate with interdisciplinary teams to ensure hardware integrates with Starship systems and supports necessary mission operations
Lead design reviews internally and externally with suppliers and customers (e.g., NASA)
Negotiate complex trade studies to optimize for cost, schedule, safety, and performance, among other considerations
Be responsible for project delivery timeline from early design through production, launch, and recovery
Exemplify technical excellence and be accountable for your work
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
Bachelor's degree in an engineering discipline
Experience with at least one commercial FEA or multiphysics simulation package (e.g. NASTRAN, ABAQUS, ANSYS)
1+ years of experience with mechanical design and analysis (internship experience qualifies)
PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:
3+ years of professional experience in mechanical design and analysis
1+ years of experience with photovoltaics design and analysis (internship experience qualifies)
Leadership experience on an engineering or project team
Strong ability to use data and analysis to make fast data-driven decisions
Experience with structures, mechanisms, or interior design in aerospace or aviation industries
Ability to perform trade studies using first principles and engineering fundamentals to make clear recommendations even with partial information
Experienced in NX
Solid understanding and application of geometric dimensioning and tolerancing (GD&T)
Demonstrated understanding of structural analysis and failure modes of complex mechanical systems
Technical knowledge of human spacecraft systems and operations
Excellent communication skills (both written and verbal) and ability to succinctly present recommendations to other engineers, stakeholders, management, and executive staff
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
ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:
Ability to work extended hours and weekends as necessary
Ability to travel to remote sites in Texas and Florida
Ability to pass Air Force background checks for Cape Canaveral
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.
