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.

MANUFACTURING DEVELOPMENT ENGINEER (DRAGON LIFE SUPPORT SYSTEMS)

The Dragon Life Support Systems team is responsible for maintaining thermal control of the spacecraft as well as providing a habitable volume inside of the cabin.  The team is multidisciplinary and works on a large variety of hardware from fluid lines and components, to structures/mechanisms and rotating hardware, to chemical processes and filtration devices. As a Manufacturing Engineer at SpaceX you will have the opportunity to utilize your knowledge, experience, and creativity to develop novel solutions at the cutting edge of space technology.  You will work on spacecraft that will ferry humans to and from the international space station, and ultimately extend humanity’s reach beyond the earth and moon.  You will own the relationship between our development and production teams providing.  You will provide input into the design and development of new and existing hardware and take a lead role in manufacturing and integration on our current and next generation vehicles to ensure parts maintain the highest levels of manufacturability, performance and reliability.

RESPONSIBILITIES: 

• Lead the production, assembly and testing of life support system components and subassemblies for the Dragon vehicle.
• Create and maintain build schedules that list all discrete fabrication, assembly, and test tasks. Ensure that all components are fabricated, assembled, and/or purchased to facilitate the build schedules.
• Resolve and analyze manufacturing and test discrepancies, while interfacing with the quality team (resolving issues for design, fabrication, and assembly).
• Support component level testing such as proof and leak, fluid flow, workmanship and functional checkouts.
• Develop production procedures/processes and manage the transition of components and assemblies from development to production.
• Lead process improvement projects to continuously enhance production operations on the shop floor.
• Work closely with development and design engineers, internal machine shops and external vendors to make parts that are designed for manufacturability.

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor of Science in aerospace engineering, mechanical engineering, chemical engineering, or engineering physics.
• 1 year professional or internship experience working with fluid system components and instruments such as valves, regulators, burst disks, pressure transducers or resistance temperature devices.

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:

• Master of Science in aerospace engineering, mechanical engineering, chemical engineering or engineering physics.
• Experience with spacecraft or aircraft propulsion/environmental control systems.
• Experience with fluid or gas handling systems.
• Knowledge of principles of compressible and incompressible flow, thermodynamics, thermochemistry, mechanics, materials and electrical circuits.
• Experience with instrumentation and data acquisition, including familiarity with LabVIEW software.
• Process development, facility and line layouts, PFMEA, error-proofing or lean manufacturing experience.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS: 

• Must be available to work long hours and weekends as needed.

ITAR REQUIREMENTS:

• To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) you must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the U.S., protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or 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 notify the Human Resources Department at (310) 363-6000.