Starship Designer

At SpaceX, we believe that a future where humanity is out exploring the stars is fundamentally more exciting than one where we are not. To make this possible, we are actively developing the technologies needed to enable human life on Mars.

As a Starship engineer, you will drive design to fit into specialized, high-rate factory stations; set up tool, material, and labor flow paths; and integrate propulsion, avionics, and structural components with novel techniques. You will challenge requirements to delete parts or make them faster and more reliable to build.

You will drive clean sheet change on V3 Starship and take on the massive challenge of designing the advanced rate production line for the V3, which will produce many variants of Starship, such as tankers, fuel depots, and the HLS (Human Landing System) for the Artemis program.

• Get hands-on alongside technicians, specialists, and welders to integrate propulsion, avionics, and structural components and build the most massive and powerful second-stage launch vehicle
• Execute design, build, qualification, and acceptance testing of subassemblies, systems, and tooling needed to meet hardware deadlines
• Design the new Starship production line to accelerate the build and integration of systems and subassemblies, and work in tandem with Starship design teams to maximize efficiency and minimize cost/ton to orbit
• Develop a deep understanding of vehicle structures, avionics, propulsion architecture, and how the vehicle operates as an integrated system
• Troubleshoot hardware issues in real-time and push feedback to correct owners to eliminate repeat issues
• Interface with design, build, and systems engineering teams, as well as production leadership and technicians, to ensure delivery of test-ready hardware on time

• Bachelor's degree in an engineering discipline
• 1+ years of hands-on engineering experience (internship and school project experience qualify)

• Experience and passion for creating, tinkering, taking things apart, and building them again
• Proven experience building things that many would consider objectively too challenging to accomplish
• Ability to communicate mission-critical messaging effectively, explain complex topics succinctly, and ask questions to verify or defend technical rationale
• Demonstrated experience driving and delivering significant outcomes
• Proven application of passion and curiosity to learn, build, and complete impactful projects
• Experience transitioning products from design to manufacturing and optimizing for high-volume
• Proven experience building metallic structures, ideally stainless steel
• Ability to make informed executive decisions
• Experience leading or working on an engineering competition team, e.g. Formula SAE, Baja SAE, RoboSub, Combat Robotics, Rocketry, or similar

• Flight hardware typically is built in tight quarters, and physical dexterity is required
• Ability to perform job duties that require standing, kneeling, crouching, twisting upper body, working in cramped positions in small openings, and climbing hand over hand
• Work performed in an environment requiring exposure to fumes, odors, and noise
• Schedule varies depending on site operational needs; flexibility required

ITAR Requirements:
To conform to U.S. Government export regulations, applicant must be a (i) U.S. citizen or national, (ii) U.S. lawful, permanent resident (aka green card holder), (iii) Refugee under 8 U.S.C. * 1157, or (iv) Asylee under 8 U.S.C. * 1158, or be eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State. Learn more about the ITAR here.

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 reach out to appropriate authorities.