SpaceX McGregor TX jobs in 2026
SpaceX's McGregor, Texas facility is where every engine that flies on a Falcon 9, Falcon Heavy, or Starship is tested before it leaves the ground. Located on a 4,000+ acre former military site between Waco and Temple, McGregor is SpaceX's rocket engine development and acceptance testing center. In 2026, the facility tests both Merlin engines (Falcon 9) and Raptor engines (Starship/Super Heavy), running multiple test fires per day at a pace unmatched by any other engine test site in the world.
This guide covers what SpaceX does at McGregor, what jobs are available, compensation ranges, and what it is like to work at the facility.
What SpaceX does at McGregor
Merlin engine testing
The Merlin 1D engine powers the Falcon 9 first stage (nine engines) and second stage (one engine, the Merlin Vacuum variant). Every Merlin engine manufactured at Hawthorne is shipped to McGregor for acceptance testing before being installed on a vehicle. With SpaceX targeting 170+ Falcon 9 launches in 2026, that translates to testing roughly 200+ Merlin engines per year (accounting for reuse — new engines are needed for second stages, which are expendable, and for first-stage fleet expansion).
Acceptance testing involves mounting the engine on a test stand, connecting propellant feed systems, and conducting a full-duration firing. Engineers and technicians monitor thousands of data channels during the test, analyzing thrust, chamber pressure, turbopump performance, and thermal profiles.
Raptor engine testing
The Raptor engine — SpaceX's next-generation full-flow staged combustion engine — is tested extensively at McGregor. Raptor powers both the Super Heavy booster (33 engines) and the Starship upper stage (6 engines). The engine is under active development, with new variants and design iterations being tested regularly.
McGregor's Raptor test stands handle both development testing (pushing the engine to its limits to find failure modes) and acceptance testing (verifying production engines meet specifications). Development tests are more complex and data-intensive, often running the engine at off-nominal conditions to characterize performance margins.
Stage testing
In addition to individual engine tests, McGregor has test stands capable of testing fully integrated vehicle stages. First stages and second stages can be installed on horizontal test stands for full-duration firing with all engines operating simultaneously. These tests verify that the engines, propellant systems, avionics, and thrust vector control all work together as an integrated system.
Draco and SuperDraco thruster testing
The smaller Draco (Dragon maneuvering) and SuperDraco (Dragon abort system) thrusters are also tested at McGregor. These hypergolic thrusters use different propellants (NTO/MMH) than the kerosene/LOX Merlin and methane/LOX Raptor engines, requiring separate test infrastructure and handling procedures.
McGregor conducts multiple engine test firings per day. The facility operates around the clock, with test campaigns running continuously. On peak days, you can hear the rumble of Raptor and Merlin tests from miles away. This cadence is unique in the industry — no other rocket engine test facility in the world operates at this frequency.
Jobs at SpaceX McGregor
McGregor positions fall into three main categories: test operations, engineering, and facility support.
Test operations roles
| Role | Salary Range | Key Requirements |
|---|---|---|
| Test Technician | $50,000 - $72,000 | Mechanical aptitude, willing to work shifts, HS diploma + experience |
| Senior Test Technician | $65,000 - $85,000 | 3+ yrs test operations, cryogenic systems experience |
| Test Stand Operator | $55,000 - $78,000 | Process control, data monitoring, emergency procedures |
| Propulsion Technician | $58,000 - $82,000 | Propellant handling, high-pressure systems, safety training |
| Instrumentation Technician | $55,000 - $80,000 | Sensor installation, DAQ systems, calibration |
| Test Conductor | $75,000 - $105,000 | 5+ yrs propulsion test experience, team leadership |
Engineering roles
| Role | Salary Range | Key Requirements |
|---|---|---|
| Propulsion Test Engineer | $90,000 - $140,000 | BS in ME/AE/ChemE, propulsion fundamentals |
| Test Systems Engineer | $95,000 - $145,000 | BS in EE/ME, DAQ and control systems |
| Propulsion Development Engineer | $100,000 - $160,000 | BS/MS in AE/ME, combustion/propulsion background |
| Structural Test Engineer | $90,000 - $135,000 | BS in ME/AE, structural analysis and testing |
| Avionics Test Engineer | $88,000 - $135,000 | BS in EE, embedded systems, flight electronics |
| Data Analysis Engineer | $85,000 - $130,000 | BS in engineering, data pipeline and analysis tools |
Facility and support roles
| Role | Salary Range | Key Requirements |
|---|---|---|
| Facilities Maintenance Technician | $48,000 - $68,000 | HVAC, electrical, or plumbing trade experience |
| Safety Specialist | $65,000 - $90,000 | OSHA certifications, industrial safety experience |
| Environmental Compliance Specialist | $60,000 - $85,000 | Environmental regulations, permit management |
| Warehouse/Logistics Coordinator | $42,000 - $58,000 | Inventory management, shipping/receiving |
SpaceX McGregor actively recruits veterans with propulsion or ordnance experience. Former Navy nuclear propulsion technicians, Air Force jet engine mechanics, and Army missile systems specialists have directly transferable skills for test operations roles. Military experience with high-pressure systems, cryogenics, or hazardous materials handling is particularly valued.
What it is like to work at McGregor
The work environment
McGregor is an outdoor test facility, not a climate-controlled factory. Test technicians and engineers spend significant time at outdoor test stands in central Texas weather — hot summers (100+ degrees F), occasional cold snaps in winter, and everything in between.
The work is physical and sometimes hazardous. Propellant handling requires strict safety protocols, and the noise levels during engine tests mandate hearing protection. The facility operates behind blast walls and exclusion zones during test firings.
Work schedule
McGregor runs 24/7 test operations. Most positions work a rotating shift schedule — typically 4-on, 3-off with 12-hour shifts. Day shifts run 6 AM to 6 PM, night shifts 6 PM to 6 AM.
Test campaigns can intensify the schedule. When a critical Raptor development test or Falcon 9 stage test is in progress, teams may work extended hours to complete the test sequence. Overtime at 1.5x is common.
Culture
McGregor has a distinct culture within SpaceX — more operational and hands-on than the engineering-heavy Hawthorne environment, with the direct satisfaction of hearing engines roar on a daily basis. The team is smaller and more close-knit than the larger SpaceX campuses, and the rural setting creates a different social dynamic.
The intensity is still SpaceX-level. The test cadence leaves little room for delays, and problems discovered during testing can trigger immediate engineering investigations that run around the clock until resolved.
Living near McGregor
McGregor is a small town (population ~5,000) in McLennan County, Texas. The cost of living is among the lowest of any SpaceX location.
- McGregor — Rural small town, 5 minutes from the facility, very affordable ($150K-$250K homes)
- Waco — 20 minutes north, the largest nearby city (population ~140,000), home to Baylor University, moderate amenities
- Temple/Killeen — 30-40 minutes south, more suburban, near Fort Cavazos (formerly Fort Hood)
- Austin — 90 minutes south, the nearest major metro area, not a practical daily commute
Most SpaceX McGregor employees live in McGregor, Waco, or the communities in between. The trade-off is clear: exceptional affordability and a low-key lifestyle, but limited urban amenities and entertainment options.
McGregor is genuinely remote. If you value nightlife, cultural institutions, or diverse dining, Waco and the surrounding area will feel limited compared to Austin, LA, or the Florida Space Coast. The upside is your dollar goes much further — a McGregor test technician earning $65K has better purchasing power than a Hawthorne technician earning $80K. No state income tax in Texas amplifies this advantage.
Career progression at McGregor
McGregor offers a clear progression path, particularly for propulsion-focused careers.
Technician path: Test Technician → Senior Test Technician → Lead Technician → Test Conductor → Test Operations Supervisor
Engineering path: Test Engineer → Senior Test Engineer → Staff Propulsion Engineer → Principal Engineer
McGregor also serves as a launchpad to other SpaceX locations. Engineers and technicians who develop propulsion expertise at McGregor are well-positioned to transfer to:
- Starbase — Raptor engine integration and Starship launch operations
- Cape Canaveral — Falcon 9 launch operations (propulsion systems focus)
- Hawthorne — Propulsion design and analysis engineering
The reverse also happens: engineers from Hawthorne rotate through McGregor to gain test experience before returning to design roles with a deeper understanding of how engines perform in practice.
How to apply
SpaceX posts McGregor positions on its careers page with "McGregor, TX" as the location. Test technician roles are the most frequently posted, followed by propulsion engineering positions.
Browse current openings at SpaceX job listings. For a complete overview of SpaceX compensation and culture, see the SpaceX careers guide. For details on the interview process, check the SpaceX interview guide.
To explore other SpaceX Texas locations, see jobs at Bastrop (Starlink production) or Starbase (Starship development). For all space industry jobs in Texas, browse Texas space jobs on Zero G Talent.
