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.

VEHICLE INTEGRATION ENGINEER              

Are you passionate about spaceflight and eager to work hands-on with flight hardware? Vehicle Integration Engineering requires a balance of system-level knowledge and detailed understanding of high-performance subsystems. This skillset is unique, even among SpaceX employees, and helps to ensure mission success. Our fast-paced and cooperative Vandenberg Integration Team is looking for a talented engineer to join us in the mission to Mars.

The launch site integration teams are the last eyes and hands on the Falcon 9 prior to T-0. As a vehicle integration engineer, you will be responsible for final rocket integration as well as the authoring and execution of flight hardware functional checkout procedures. You’ll work hands-on alongside senior engineers and technicians to perform system functional checkouts, integration, and troubleshooting. You will be expected to become a system expert on the Falcon 9 launch vehicle and interface directly with government and customer entities. This role requires a very high level of rigor and is critical to ensure 100% mission success.

In an effort to realize Elon’s goal of making spaceflight as ubiquitous and affordable as airline travel, launch site processing timelines will need to be significantly reduced from several weeks to 24 hours. All integration engineers are tasked with critically evaluating vehicle integration processes in an attempt to drive greater system efficiencies and more robust automation. While hardware design is not a primary responsibility of this role (<50% of the time), integration engineers utilize multi-disciplinary knowledge to solve hardware, integration, and system level problems. Are you up for the challenge?

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Successfully launch SpaceX rockets!
• Assist with and lead hands-on assembly, integration, and testing of flight vehicle assemblies
• Develop and/or provide input into automation and auto-sequences of launch operations for streamlining future launches
• Collaborate with engineering staff from other departments and SpaceX locations on critical operations, off-nominal test results, and flight readiness
• Partner with, and provide direction to highly skilled field technicians on a daily basis
• Develop, maintain, and execute procedures/work instructions for the integration and checkout of flight hardware and ground support equipment
• Ensure electrical, pneumatic, hydraulic, and/or mechanical systems are flight-ready
• Work as part of a small team of elite engineers designing and building the SpaceX launch and payload integration capabilities at our launch facility at Vandenberg Air Force Base on the central coast of California
• Be a successful member of the team. Every member must be a self-starter, enjoy seeking out solutions to seemingly impossible technical challenges, and be passionate about revolutionizing the aerospace industry

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s degree in an engineering related discipline such as electrical engineering, computer engineering, mechatronics, mechanical engineering, and/or aerospace engineering
• 3+ years of professional experience designing, building, integrating, and testing complex multi-disciplinary systems
• Hands-on experience with mechanical and/or fluid systems in the design, manufacturing, or implementation phases
• Experience writing test plans and test procedures

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:

• Professional experience in analogous roles, regardless of industry, a plus
• Experience working on projects that involve the integration of electrical, mechanical, and software systems (launch vehicle and/or spacecraft experience is not required)
• Able to communicate clearly and accurately with a wide range of people
• Strong work ethic and drive to succeed balanced with the ability to work effectively, multitask, and prioritize in a team environment
• Proficient in or hands-on experience with one or more of the following:  launch vehicle or spacecraft integration; operations in 100,000 class or better clean rooms; test operations with gasses/fluids; data acquisition setup and field measurements
• Able to work in a fast-paced, autonomously driven, and demanding start-up atmosphere
• Able to learn, lead others, and help others learn while maintaining productivity
• Experience testing and operating with or around hazardous systems (high pressure, high energy, hazardous gasses/fluids, etc.)
• Experience working with large assembly moves (e.g. crane operations)
• Experience with critical high-dollar hardware
• Flight hardware avionics experience
• Advanced degree in electrical engineering, computer engineering, computer science, mechatronics, mechanical engineering, and/or aerospace engineering

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Ability to pass Air Force background checks for Cape Canaveral and Vandenberg
• Must be willing to travel (approximately 10%) to other launch sites as necessary
• Must be willing to work long hours and occasional weekends when necessary to support launch and critical project timelines
• Must be able to lift a minimum of 35 lbs. unassisted
• Lifting, standing, climbing, bending, grasping, sitting, pulling, pushing, stooping, stretching, and carrying are generally required to perform the functions of this position
• Must be able to work at elevated heights
• Must be willing to operate heavy machinery
• Must be able to work in confined spaces
• Occasionally exposed to work in extreme outdoor environments – heat, cold, rain, ice
• Work performed in an environment requiring exposure to fumes, odors, and noise

ITAR REQUIREMENTS:

• To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) you must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the U.S., protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or 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 notify the Human Resources Department at (310) 363-6000.