Principal Mechanical Engineer (Starship)

PRINCIPAL MECHANICAL ENGINEER (STARSHIP)

The Starship Mechanical Engineer will support the development of SpaceX's Starship, a fully reusable transportation system designed to carry both crew and cargo to Earth orbit, the Moon, Mars, and beyond.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Own complex mechanical systems on Starship through their entire design cycle:
• Drive conceptual design, architecture trades, and first order sizing. Develop design criteria where definition is lacking.
• Balance operational needs across vehicle systems while optimizing for development speed, mass, and cost.
• Perform in depth first principles analysis and FEA to assess and optimize designs.
• Incorporate design for manufacturing principles and supervise first article builds.
• Design and execute qualification testing.
• Coordinate multi-disciplinary teams working on system level vehicle design trades.
• Lead multidisciplinary root cause investigations and component redesigns to improve reliability and/or production rate.
• Extreme ownership of product outcomes for spaceflight hardware.

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor's degree in an engineering discipline.
• 7+ years of experience with mechanical, electromechanical, or fluid system design and analysis.

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:

• 7+ years of technical project leadership.
• 7+ years of professional experience in mechanical design and analysis.
• Demonstrated strength in technical communication, articulating design decisions, and technical mentorship.
• Strong demonstrated capability in design, CAD and FEA.
• Hands-on experience with mechanism design, prototyping, and precision mechanical assembly.
• Experience with design for high volume production with a focus on design for manufacturability.
• Knowledge of and experience in selecting materials, manufacturing methods, and surface treatments for mechanical components.
• Solid understanding and application of GD&T.
• Demonstrated understanding of structural analysis and failure modes of complex mechanical systems.
• Proficiency in one or more programming languages.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Ability to work extended hours and weekends as necessary.

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS:

Pay range:
Mechanical Engineer/Principal: $175,000.00 - $240,000.00/per year

Your actual level and base salary will be determined on a case-by-case basis and may vary based on the following considerations: job-related knowledge and skills, education, and experience.

Base salary is just one part of your total rewards package at SpaceX. You may also be eligible for long-term incentives, in the form of company stock, stock options, or long-term cash awards, as well as potential discretionary bonuses and the ability to purchase additional stock at a discount through an Employee Stock Purchase Plan. You will also receive access to comprehensive medical, vision, and dental coverage, access to a 401(k) retirement plan, short and long-term disability insurance, life insurance, paid parental leave, and various other discounts and perks. You may also accrue 3 weeks of paid vacation and will be eligible for 10 or more paid holidays per year. Employees accrue paid sick leave pursuant to Company policy which satisfies or exceeds the accrual, carryover, and use requirements of the law.