Propulsion Engineer, Propulsion Simulation & Data Analysis

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.

PROPULSION ENGINEER, PROPULSION SIMULATION & DATA ANALYSIS (RAPTOR)

The Raptor Systems Modeling and Control Team is responsible for the power-balance, optimal control, and calibration of one of the worlds most prolific and advanced rocket engines. In addition to this we aid in root cause analysis for anomaly resolution, providing data and model driven insights supporting operations and components teams in high-consequence decision making. Our models and analysis are relied upon day-in-and-day-out to evaluate the safety and optimality of flight trajectories. With hundreds of engines, hundreds of simulations, and hundreds of hot fire operations, the work we do guides both the engine design process and operation of every single mission and engine test. In this role you will work with brilliant, passionate engineers to develop rapid, seamless processes to translate engine test data into accurate predictions of future performance for the most reliable and cutting-edge rocket engines in the world.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Maintain and improve the accuracy of the lumped-parameter thermofluid physics model of the Raptor engine
• Conduce engine cycle analysis to steer future-state engine design and thrust upgrades
• Conduct anomaly resolution utilizing the engine model and sparse instrumentation
• Develop a detailed understanding of the physics underlying rocket engine performance, sources of performance variability, as well as related modeling and measurement techniques
• Maintain and improve the accuracy of the representation of the Raptor engine used in integrated vehicle simulations, control software validation and flight Monte Carlo analysis
• Develop tools and portals to understand the sources of engine performance variability and enact improvements to manufacturing and engine hardware design
• Automate processes and software tools that are used to predict test performance and generate flight performance predictions for GNC (guidance, navigation, and control) and flight software
• Collaborate with engineers across the company to extend and improve interoperability among existing tools as well as to standardize hardware and software practices, tools, and methods to maximize functionality and value while minimizing future overhead and obsolescence

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor's degree in computer science, engineering, or a STEM discipline
• 1+ year experience with physics-based simulations of real dynamic systems

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:

• Dynamical systems modeling
• Experience with lumped parameter modeling of physical systems
• Experience implementing physics-informed neural networks to solve real-world engineering problems
• Data driven analysis of complex systems
• Experience inferring root cause from sparse measurements
• Demonstrable proficiency in the basic principles of compressible and incompressible flow, thermodynamics, thermochemistry, mechanics, and materials
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, ability to make presentations to team members, internal customers and management
• Experience building data pipelines providing sanitization, curation, visualization, exploration to high dimensional datasets
• Experience working with or simulating combustion engines or fluid systems
• Full stack web development experience (database design, frontend)
• 1+ year experience writing computer software
• Experience with version control, continuous integration, Unix-like operating systems
• Experience with control feedback loop design and implementation
• Experience with numerical analysis techniques and signal processing in multiple domains

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS:

Pay Range:
Level 1: $100,000.00 - $130,000.00
Level 2: $115,000.00 - $160,000.00

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 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.

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.