SpaceX

Builds rockets and runs Starlink satellite internet

Mechanical Engineer - AI Satellites, Starmind

Design EngineeringConfirmed live in the last 24 hours

Full-timeBastrop, TX, USANo salary listed

About the Job

Requirements

A bachelor's degree in an engineering discipline is required.
Experience with computer-aided design (CAD) and finite element analysis (FEA) software packages is required.
At least 1 year of professional experience, including internships, with mechanical or electromechanical design, analysis, testing, and/or manufacturing is required.
The ability to work extended hours or weekends as needed for mission-critical deadlines is required.
Applicants must be U.S. citizens or nationals, lawful permanent residents, refugees, asylees, or eligible to obtain the required U.S. Department of State authorizations to comply with U.S. Government export regulations.

Responsibilities

Own hardware from conceptual design through high-volume production and on-orbit operation for the Starmind constellation.
Develop design criteria, collaborate on requirements, and drive system-level optimization.
Rapidly iterate on designs and analysis to inform high-level system trades and steer overall product direction.
Design for extreme high volume by driving holistic design for manufacturing (DFM), reducing piece-part and process counts, error-proofing fabrication and integration at every step, and maintaining consistent performance and production metrics.
Establish an efficient product lifecycle from supply chain through final integration that balances cost, complexity, and quality; work with partner teams to design and realize an efficient in-house production line.
Perform environmental and performance testing on hardware to validate analysis and demonstrate compliance with design criteria.
Own the product delivery timeline through conception, design, assembly, and launch.
Take ownership of product outcomes at every stage of development and production.

Desired Qualifications

A master's degree in engineering or a related technical discipline.
At least 3 years of professional experience in mechanical design and analysis.
At least 2 years of hands-on project experience with complex mechanical systems, preferably as a team lead.
Proficiency in 3D computer-aided design (CAD); Siemens NX is preferred.
A solid understanding and application of geometric dimensioning and tolerancing (GD&T).
Demonstrated understanding of structural analysis and failure modes of complex mechanical systems.
Prior ownership of a complex component or assembly from initial design through high-volume production ramp.
Some travel may occasionally be required.

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.

MECHANICAL ENGINEER, AI SATELLITES (STARMIND)

SpaceX is leveraging its experience deploying and operating the world’s largest satellite constellation to develop Starmind, a new constellation of satellites capturing solar energy in space to power low-cost, high-performance AI compute for Earth. Realizing this vision demands highly reliable, high performance mechanical systems including large deployable solar, large radiators, and in space fluid distribution. We will build these satellites at a scale that far exceeds even Starlink.

We are seeking talented Mechanical Engineers to own the full lifecycle of the hardware that make Starmind possible.

We will be developing

Large, fluid-based deployable radiator
Biggest deployable solar arrays flown on SpaceX satellites
Packaging at high volume for compute trays
Satellite mechanisms + other high power satellite payloads
Optical and networking payloads

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Own hardware from conceptual design through high volume production and on-orbit operation for the Starmind constellation
Develop design criteria, collaborate on requirements, and drive system-level optimization
Rapidly iterate on designs and analysis to inform high level systems trades and steer overall product direction
Design for extreme high volume - drive holistic DFM to create elegant designs with a focus on piece part and process count reductions, error proofing at every step of fabrication and integration, and consistent performance and production metrics
Establish an efficient product lifecycle starting in the supply chain all the way through final integration that balances cost, complexity, and quality; work closely with partner teams to design and realize an efficient in-house production line
Perform environmental and performance testing on hardware to validate analysis and demonstrate compliance to design criteria
Own product delivery timeline through conception, design, assembly, and launch
Demonstrate extreme ownership of product outcomes at every stage of development and production

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:

Bachelor's degree in an engineering discipline
Experience with CAD and FEA software packages
1+ years of professional experience (including internships) with mechanical/electromechanical design, analysis, testing, and/or manufacturing

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:

Master’s degree in engineering or a related technical discipline
3+ years of professional experience in mechanical design and analysis
2+ years of hands-on project experience with complex mechanical systems, preferably as a team lead
Proficient in 3D CAD (NX preferred)
Solid understanding and application of GD&T
Demonstrated understanding of structural analysis and failure modes of complex mechanical systems
Prior ownership of a complex component or assembly from initial design through high-volume production ramp
Self-motivated with strong organizational, written, and oral communication skills

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS

Ability to work extended hours or weekends as needed for mission critical deadlines
Some travel may occasionally be 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 [email protected].

About the Company

SpaceX

Builds rockets and runs Starlink satellite internet

SpaceX builds and launches reusable rockets and spacecraft for NASA, the military, and companies, and it runs Starlink, a satellite internet service for homes and businesses. In 2020, its Dragon capsule became the first privately built spacecraft to carry astronauts to the International Space Station. Its Falcon 9 rocket lands its first stage so the booster can fly again, which cuts launch costs, while Starlink beams internet from low-orbit satellites to small dishes for a monthly fee. SpaceX also owns xAI, maker of the Grok chatbot and owner of the social network X, and is building Starship, a fully reusable rocket meant to carry people to the Moon and Mars. Elon Musk founded SpaceX in 2002, and it is based in Starbase, Texas.

Company size: 10,001+
Company stage: IPO
Headquarters: Starbase, Texas
Founded: 2002

Recently Posted Jobs

Explore more opportunities at SpaceX

See more jobs