Trajectory Analysis Engineer 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.
TRAJECTORY ANALYSIS ENGINEER
The Trajectory Analysis team is responsible for ensuring that the general public are kept safe during SpaceX launch activities. The Trajectory Analysis Engineer develops and tests the Autonomous Flight Termination System (AFTS) destruct criteria and works with SpaceX partners in the Space Force and FAA to ensure launches satisfy quantitative risk criteria. You will have the opportunity to work with all engineering teams to help understand failure scenarios, informing the design of vehicles that are highly autonomous, capable of long-duration missions, with high reliability. You will work with external partners in NASA, the Space Force, and the FAA to ensure launches satisfy quantitative risk criteria. A significant part of this role will involve figuring out effective implementation of flight safety and system safety strategies in support of the Starship Human Landing System (HLS) - our first missions to the Moon!
RESPONSIBILITIES:
Analyze established and first-time trajectory profiles designed by the SpaceX Guidance, Navigation, and Control team for risk to the launch site and general public
Perform reliability analyses for complex systems (quantitative and qualitative)
Review systems, identify failure modes, scenarios (i.e. work to put strong engineering controls in place, with the right verifications)
Simulate a variety of failure modes that the launch vehicle may experience and the impact they have on achieving a safe orbit and meeting mission requirements
Author flight plans and generate data required by Space Force and FAA regulations to obtain launch licenses for each mission flown
Develop and test Autonomous Flight Termination System (AFTS) destruct criteria to ensure acceptability for reliable and safe flight
Write technical documents for internal and external customers in support of contract milestones, licensing efforts, or other customer requirements
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:
Bachelor's degree in an engineering or STEM discipline
1+ years of programming experience in either MATLAB or Python
PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:
Master's degree in an engineering or STEM discipline
Familiarity with launch vehicle architectures and fundamental systems (avionics, propulsion, structures, guidance, navigation and control, etc.)
Experience with Failure Mode, Effects & Criticality Analysis (FMECA), fault trees, distribution fitting, or hypothesis testing
Demonstrated ability to code in Python and other languages
Experience processing and analyzing large datasets, such as Monte Carlo simulations, quickly and efficiently
Experience managing and utilizing issue and project tracking software such as JIRA
Experience on collaborative coding projects utilizing software tracking tools such as Git or SVN
Strong communication skills and comfort interfacing with contacts outside of SpaceX
Ability to solve complex problems on time as an individual or as a member of a team
ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:
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.
