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Aerospace, Space Exploration, Telecommunications, Manufacturing

Mechanical Engineer, Cabin Structures (Crew Starship)

Starbase, TXOnsiteInternshipEntry-level (exp-based)Posted 2 months ago

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Required skills

Crew Starship
Human Landing System
Lunar
Mars
structures
mechanisms
interior systems
hand calculations
FEA
manufacturing processes

Nice to have

aerospace
aviation
first principles
engineering fundamentals
data-driven decisions
scrappy

Role summary

SpaceX is seeking a Mechanical Engineer for the Crew Starship team to design and build critical spacecraft systems for lunar and Mars missions. This role involves full hardware ownership from concept to integration, including design, analysis, prototyping, and testing. Responsibilities include performing calculations and FEA, iterating on manufacturing and testing, collaborating with interdisciplinary teams, leading design reviews, and managing project delivery timelines. The ideal candidate will have a Bachelor's degree in engineering, 1+ years of mechanical design and analysis experience, and preferred experience in aerospace structures, mechanisms, or interiors, with strong analytical and decision-making skills.

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, CABIN STRUCTURES (CREW STARSHIP)

After 50 years, humankind will once again return to the surface of the moon using SpaceX’s new vehicle, Crew Starship (also known as HLS or the Human Landing System) – this time for good. Starship will usher in the next era of crewed spaceflight and exploration, ultimately allowing us to establish permanent communities on the Moon, Mars, and beyond. As a Mechanical Engineer on the Crew Starship team, you will design and build spacecraft systems that are critical to the success and safety of future astronauts. Disciplines within this team include primary and secondary structures, mechanisms, and crew-interfacing hardware. Your design solutions will be driven by all future Crew Starship missions (Lunar, Mars, etc.). This role requires full hardware ownership, from initial design requirements and concepts all the way through design, analysis, prototype, qualification, and integration.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Own the design and development of next generation structures, mechanisms, or interior systems for Crew Starship vehicles

Perform hand calculations and FEA to develop, assess, and optimize designs

Rapidly iterate on manufacturing processes and development testing in a fast-paced environment

Collaborate with interdisciplinary teams to ensure hardware integrates with Starship systems and supports necessary mission operations

Lead design reviews internally and externally with suppliers and customers (e.g., NASA)

Negotiate complex trade studies to optimize for cost, schedule, safety, and performance, among other considerations

Be responsible for project delivery timeline from early design through production, launch, and recovery

Exemplify technical excellence and be accountable for your work

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS

Bachelor's degree in an engineering discipline

1+ years of experience with mechanical design and analysis (internship experience qualifies)

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:

3+ years of professional experience in mechanical design and analysis

Leadership experience on an engineering or project team

Strong ability to use data and analysis to make fast data-driven decisions

Experience with structures, mechanisms, or interior design in aerospace or aviation industries

Ability to perform trade studies using first principles and engineering fundamentals to make clear recommendations even with partial information

Experienced in NX

Solid understanding and application of geometric dimensioning and tolerancing (GD&T)

Demonstrated understanding of structural analysis and failure modes of complex mechanical systems

Technical knowledge of human spacecraft systems and operations

Excellent communication skills (both written and verbal) and ability to succinctly present recommendations to other engineers, stakeholders, management, and executive staff

Experience at a nimble engineering organization or in a highly technical position that required a scrappy, entrepreneurial manner to accomplish tasks with tight time or budget constraints

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

Ability to work extended hours and weekends as necessary

Ability to travel to remote sites in Texas and Florida

Ability to pass Air Force background check for Cape Canaveral

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 EEOCompliance@spacex.com.

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