SpaceX

Builds rockets and runs Starlink satellite internet

Mechanical Engineer: Structures - Starship Infrastructure

Design EngineeringConfirmed live in the last 24 hours

Full-timeBrownsville, TX, USANo salary listed

About the Job

Requirements

A bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering, structural engineering, or aerospace engineering is required.
At least 1 year of professional experience in structural design or analysis of steel structures, aerostructures, heavy industrial equipment, or large-scale mechanical systems is required.
Ability to manage multiple projects, think critically, and drive successful outcomes is preferred.
Strong background in structural design of large systems or assemblies using carbon steel, stainless steel, aluminum, or other commonly used structural materials is preferred.
Experience designing or analyzing structures for dynamic loads, vibration, heavy lifting, or material-handling environments is preferred.
Proficiency with structural analysis and finite element method software such as ANSYS, ABAQUS, FEMAP, NASTRAN, or ETABS is preferred.
Proficiency with Siemens NX and/or Revit 3D modeling tools is preferred.
Experience with structural detailing, fabrication drawings, and application of geometric dimensioning and tolerancing for structures and tooling is preferred.
Hands-on experience with fabrication, welding, heavy-lift planning, or steel erection is preferred.
Demonstrated ability to own projects from concept through build and commissioning is preferred.
Experience working on industrial facilities, production lines, ground support equipment, or manufacturing tooling structures is preferred.
Familiarity with concrete, foundations, anchorage, and their integration with mechanical and production systems or structures is preferred.
Ability to read and create detailed structural drawings, connection details, and fabrication packages is preferred.
Strong written and verbal communication skills and ability to work across engineering, manufacturing, and construction teams are preferred.
Must be available to work extended hours and weekends as needed to support site operations and construction activities.
Must be willing to work in outdoor environments at a remote coastal location.
Must be a U.S. citizen or national, U.S. lawful permanent resident, refugee, or asylee, or be eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.

Responsibilities

Lead structural design of Starship production infrastructure, ranging from tooling fixtures and jigs to assembly-line support structures and factory buildings or bays.
Perform structural analysis and design of steel, concrete, composite, and similar materials under static, dynamic, vibration, and handling loads using hand calculations and finite element analysis.
Develop and review structural drawings, connection details, fabrication packages, and erection or assembly sequences for complex structures and tooling.
Partner with manufacturing, operations, facilities, mechanical, electrical, plumbing, fluids, and construction teams to integrate structural systems with production equipment, cranes, material handling, and operational requirements.
Support fabrication and construction, including reviewing shop drawings and weld procedures and resolving field issues during installation and integration.
Drive design decisions that balance performance, cost, schedule, and constructability for high-volume production environments.
Manage scopes through the full project lifecycle, from concept and preliminary design through detailed engineering, procurement, fabrication, and turnover.
Interface with external engineering firms, consultants, fabricators, and construction contractors to ensure designs meet SpaceX standards and are executed to specification.
Perform project-control functions, including scheduling, budgeting, and risk management.
Resolve conflicts in the field in real time and implement rapid design changes when required.
Own end-to-end project delivery, ensuring projects are completed on time and within budget.

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 (STRUCTURES), STARBASE INFRASTRUCTURE

Our elite Starbase team is building the infrastructure required to make humanity multiplanetary at unprecedented speed and scale. This includes the design, fabrication, and construction of massive structural systems that support high-volume Starship production operations. The work is demanding, the environment is unforgiving, and the pace is relentless — but the mission is unmatched.

We are seeking a structures-focused Mechanical Engineer to own the design and delivery of critical production infrastructure. You will work on large-scale steel structures, factory support systems, ground support equipment (GSE), and tooling structures that must withstand heavy loads, dynamic manufacturing environments, and rapid operational cycles.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Lead the structural design of Starship production infrastructure of varying scales from smaller tooling fixtures and jigs to assembly line support structures and entire factory buildings/bays
Perform structural analysis and design of steel, concrete, composite, and similar materials under static, dynamic, vibration, and handling loads using hand calculations and finite element analysis
Develop and review structural drawings, connection details, fabrication packages, and erection/assembly sequences for complex structures and tooling
Partner with manufacturing, operations, facilities, mechanical, electrical, plumbing, fluids, and construction teams to integrate structural systems with production equipment, cranes, material handling, and operational requirements
Support fabrication and construction activities, including review of shop drawings, weld procedures, and resolution of field issues during installation and integration
Drive design decisions that balance performance, cost, schedule, and constructability for high-volume production environments
Manage scopes through the full project lifecycle — from concept and preliminary design through detailed engineering, procurement, fabrication, and turnover
Interface with external engineering firms, consultants, fabricators, and construction contractors to ensure designs meet SpaceX standards and are executed to specification
Perform project control functions including scheduling, budgeting, and risk management
Resolve conflicts in the field in real time and implement rapid design changes when required
Own end-to-end delivery of projects with extreme ownership, ensuring on-time and on-budget performance

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:

Bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering, structural engineering, or aerospace engineering
1+ years of professional experience in structural design or analysis of steel structures, areo-structures, heavy industrial equipment, or large-scale mechanical systems

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:

Proven ability to manage multiple projects, think critically, and drive successful outcomes
Strong background in structural design of large systems/assemblies using carbon steel, stainless steel, aluminum, or other commonly used structural materials
Experience designing or analyzing structures for various load cases including dynamic loads, vibration, heavy lifting, or material handling environments
Proficiency with structural analysis/FEM software (e.g., ANSYS, ABAQUS, FEMAP, NASTRAN, ETABS or equivalent)
Proficiency with 3D modeling tools Siemens NX and/or Revit
Experience with structural detailing, fabrication drawings, and application of GD&T for structures and tooling
Hands-on experience with fabrication, welding, heavy lift planning, or steel erection
Demonstrated ability to own projects from concept through build and commissioning
Experience working on industrial facilities, production lines, GSE, or manufacturing tooling structures
Familiarity with concrete, foundations, anchorage, and how they integrate with mechanical and production systems/structures
Ability to read and create detailed structural drawings, connection details, and fabrication packages
Strong written and verbal communication skills with the ability to work across engineering, manufacturing, and construction teams
Extreme ownership mentality and comfort operating in a fast-paced, ambiguous environment

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

Must be available to work extended hours and weekends as needed to support site operations and construction activities
Willingness to work in outdoor environments at a remote coastal location

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

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