SpaceX McGregor jobs in 2026: the rocket engine test capital
Every Merlin engine that powers a Falcon 9 and every Raptor engine destined for Starship passes through the same place before it flies: a former cattle ranch in McLennan County, Texas. SpaceX's McGregor test facility is where engines are born, broken in, and proven. If you want a job where you can hear a rocket engine firing from your desk, this is it.
SpaceX McGregor employs around 500 people and is one of the company's most critical facilities. The site runs engine acceptance tests, development tests for new Raptor variants, and qualification campaigns for flight hardware. It operates around the clock during test campaigns, and the pace has increased as Raptor 3 production ramps up for Starship flights.
What happens at the McGregor facility
McGregor is not a manufacturing site. Engines and components are built at Hawthorne (Merlin, some Raptor) and Starbase (Raptor 3 production line), then shipped to McGregor for testing. The facility has multiple test stands:
- Merlin engine test stands — acceptance testing every Merlin 1D vacuum and sea-level engine before it is integrated into a Falcon 9
- Raptor test stands — development and acceptance testing for Raptor 2 and Raptor 3 engines. Multiple stands allow parallel testing
- Draco/SuperDraco test area — smaller test stands for the thrusters used on Dragon capsules
- Stage testing — McGregor has tested full Falcon 9 second stages and other integrated hardware
- Component test labs — turbopumps, valves, and ignition systems undergo standalone testing
A typical engine acceptance test involves installing the engine on the stand, connecting propellant feeds and instrumentation, running the engine through a series of firings (from short bursts to full-duration burns), collecting data, and certifying the engine for flight. This process repeats hundreds of times per year as SpaceX builds and flies engines at an unprecedented rate.
SpaceX fires engines at McGregor so frequently that the local community has grown accustomed to the sound. During intense test campaigns, you can hear multiple firings per day. The facility has conducted thousands of engine tests since SpaceX acquired the site in 2003.
SpaceX McGregor jobs: roles and what they pay
The McGregor site hires for a focused set of disciplines. Nearly every role is connected to engine testing, instrumentation, or facility operations.
| Role | Salary Range | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Test Engineer | $90K - $130K | Plans and executes engine test campaigns. Analyzes data, writes test procedures, troubleshoots anomalies |
| Propulsion Engineer | $95K - $140K | Supports engine development testing. Works on injector, turbopump, and combustion chamber performance |
| Instrumentation Engineer | $85K - $120K | Designs and maintains sensor systems (pressure, temperature, flow, thrust measurement) |
| Data Acquisition Engineer | $85K - $120K | Manages DAQ systems, processes test data, builds analysis tools |
| Test Technician | $22 - $32/hr | Installs engines on stands, connects plumbing and wiring, performs hands-on test operations |
| Instrumentation Technician | $24 - $34/hr | Installs and calibrates sensors, strain gauges, thermocouples |
| Facilities Engineer | $80K - $115K | Maintains test infrastructure: propellant systems, high-pressure gas, cryogenic equipment |
| Safety Engineer | $85K - $125K | Manages hazard analysis, safety procedures, and emergency response for hot-fire operations |
| NDE Technician | $25 - $38/hr | Non-destructive examination of engines and components post-test |
Test engineers are the backbone of McGregor operations. They write the test procedures, monitor engine performance during firings, analyze post-test data, and flag anomalies. A good test engineer at SpaceX needs to understand propulsion fundamentals, know the engine systems intimately, and be comfortable making real-time decisions during a hot-fire test.
Propulsion engineers at McGregor work closely with the design teams in Hawthorne and Starbase. When a new Raptor variant needs characterization, propulsion engineers at McGregor plan the development test series, run the engines through various operating conditions, and report performance data back to the design team.
Technicians do the hands-on work. Installing a Raptor engine on a test stand involves connecting dozens of propellant lines, instrumentation cables, and structural interfaces. This work requires precision, attention to safety, and the ability to work in a fast-paced environment.
Many test engineers at McGregor started as technicians. SpaceX promotes based on demonstrated ability, and a technician who shows strong technical instincts and problem-solving skills can transition into an engineering role. This path is more common at McGregor than at other SpaceX sites.
Cost of living and lifestyle in McGregor
One of the biggest advantages of SpaceX McGregor jobs is the cost of living. Central Texas is dramatically cheaper than Southern California (Hawthorne), the Seattle area (Redmond), or even South Texas near the border (Starbase).
| Expense | McGregor / Waco Area | Hawthorne, CA | National Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home price | $225,000 | $850,000+ | $420,000 |
| 1BR apartment rent | $800 - $1,100/mo | $2,200 - $2,800/mo | $1,500/mo |
| Gas (per gallon) | $2.60 | $4.80 | $3.30 |
| Groceries (monthly) | $350 | $550 | $400 |
| State income tax | 0% (Texas) | 13.3% (California) | Varies |
A test engineer making $110,000 in McGregor takes home significantly more than someone earning $140,000 in Hawthorne after accounting for California income tax, housing costs, and general cost of living. When you add SpaceX RSUs on top, the total compensation is very comfortable for the area.
Where people live:
- Waco (20 minutes north) — the largest nearby city (~140,000 population). Has restaurants, grocery stores, a Baylor University campus, and the Magnolia Market area. Most SpaceX McGregor employees live here
- McGregor itself — small town (~5,000 population). Limited amenities but close to the facility
- Temple / Belton (30 minutes southeast) — smaller cities with affordable housing and proximity to Belton Lake
- Dallas / Fort Worth (100 miles north) — too far for a daily commute, but some employees make weekend trips for city life
The lifestyle is rural. If you want a vibrant nightlife or a large restaurant scene, McGregor is not the place. If you want affordable housing, outdoor activities (Brazos River, Lake Waco, hiking), and a short commute to work, it is a good fit. Many employees are young engineers who save aggressively because their expenses are low.
Shift work and test campaign schedules
Engine testing at McGregor does not follow a standard 9-to-5 schedule. Test campaigns run around the clock, and the facility operates in shifts:
- Day shift: Typically 6 AM to 6 PM (12-hour shifts during campaigns)
- Night shift: 6 PM to 6 AM
- Standard weeks: 50-60 hours is normal for engineers, similar to other SpaceX sites
- Campaign surges: During critical development testing (like Raptor 3 qualification), hours can stretch further
Test engineers and technicians rotate through shifts depending on the testing schedule. If your engine test is scheduled for 3 AM, you are there at 3 AM. This is the reality of working at a test facility, and it is not for everyone.
Shift work at McGregor means your schedule is less predictable than a typical office engineering job. Couples and families should factor this in. That said, the facility does have periods of lower activity between major test campaigns where the pace normalizes.
Raptor 3 and the future of McGregor
McGregor's importance is growing. As Starship enters regular flight operations, the demand for Raptor engines is increasing dramatically. Each Starship Super Heavy booster uses 33 Raptor engines, and each Starship upper stage uses 6. That is 39 engines per stack.
SpaceX is targeting a flight rate that will require hundreds of Raptor engines per year, and every one of them must pass through McGregor for acceptance testing. This means:
- More test stands being built or upgraded
- Higher headcount, especially for technicians and test engineers
- Faster test cadence and more efficient operations
- Investment in automation and data analysis tools
Raptor 3 is a significant redesign from Raptor 2, with a simplified architecture that reduces part count and manufacturing cost. The development testing for Raptor 3 happens at McGregor, making the facility central to SpaceX's Starship ambitions.
How to apply for SpaceX McGregor jobs
All McGregor positions are listed on spacex.com/careers. Filter by the McGregor, TX location to see current openings. Typical postings include:
- Test Engineer, Engine Testing
- Propulsion Development Engineer
- Test Technician (various levels)
- Instrumentation Engineer
- Facilities Maintenance Technician
Tips specific to McGregor applications:
- Highlight any testing experience: dynamometer testing, engine dyno, structural testing, anything involving live hardware and data collection
- If you have experience with LabVIEW, NI DAQ systems, or similar data acquisition platforms, make it prominent
- Military veterans with propulsion, ordnance, or aircraft maintenance backgrounds are a strong fit for technician roles
- A willingness to work shifts is expected. Do not apply if you need a fixed daytime schedule
McGregor is where SpaceX's engines prove themselves. If you want to be the person who certifies that a Raptor is ready to fly, there is no better place.
Explore similar opportunities
McGregor is one option, but the space industry has test and propulsion roles at multiple companies. Browse propulsion engineering jobs across companies like Blue Origin (West Texas test site), Rocket Lab (Stennis Space Center testing), and Aerojet Rocketdyne. You can also explore all SpaceX jobs or check our full guide to jobs at SpaceX on Zero G Talent.
