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.
NEW GRADUATE ENGINEER, MECHANICAL
The elite engineering team at our test facility in Central Texas (Waco, TX area) focuses on test operations for Raptor, Starship, Falcon, Dragon, and more. We are looking for engineers who focus on testing operations (test set-up, on-console running tests, data analysis, troubleshooting, etc.) as well as ground support equipment operations (design & build test stands, propellant disbursement, etc.). This is a fast-paced, hands-on, constantly evolving, real-as-it-gets engineering environment for the ambitious.
What you'd do
- Develop and execute tests at the engine and component level to evaluate hardware performance and survivability during the mission
- Repeated ownership of test campaigns, including test plan creation, new system activation, test operations, data review, and test stand equipment design/fabrication
- Provide daily directions and instructions to technicians to fabricate and integrate test articles and stand equipment
- Develop and maintain test procedures, sequences, scripts, configuration files, and software
- Operate and troubleshoot data acquisition and control systems, wiring, and instrumentation (DAQ systems are primarily National Instruments-based)
- Operate and troubleshoot fluid and mechanical systems that include low to high-pressure gaseous working fluids and rocket propellants (including hypergols & cryogenics) as well as structural components and supporting infrastructure
- Operate mechanical systems; these include test stand support structures, heat exchangers, vacuum pumps, tooling, and fluid components such as valves, reliefs, burst disks, tubing, etc.
- Automate repetitive test operations to increase efficiency and safety
- Develop innovative processes to increase testing capability and rates, while maintaining high rigor of safety
- Identify and characterize system pitfalls and potential hazards, then work to resolve such anomalies by collaborating with design engineers on improvements for test stands and flight hardware
What they want
- Bachelor's degree in an engineering discipline or physics
- 1+ years of mechanical and/or fluids engineering experience via project team, research, internships, and/or professional experience
- Graduating with a bachelor’s degree, master’s degree or PhD in 2026 or 2027