Associate Engineer - Post Grad Summer 2018 (McGregor)

spacex

Associate Engineer - Post Grad Summer 2018 (McGregor)

McGregor, TX
Internship
Paid
  • Responsibilities

    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. ASSOCIATE ENGINEER – POST GRAD SUMMER 2018 (MCGREGOR) As an Associate Engineer - Post Grad, you will be responsible for both autonomously and collaboratively working on actual space hardware development projects.  You will be challenged to think creatively, independently, and intellectually to design hardware, gaining invaluable hands-on technical experience. This is not an ordinary “internship” – you will be given as much responsibility as our full-time engineers and will be an integral part of the team. We will rely on you to come up with creative solutions to real aerospace challenges and depend upon your contributions to space hardware development projects. SITE OVERVIEW: SpaceX tests its engines and structures at a 4,000-acre state-of-the-art rocket development facility in McGregor, Texas. Every Merlin engine that powers the Falcon 9 rocket and every Draco thruster that controls the Dragon spacecraft is tested on one of 11 test stands. The Falcon 9 first stage is tested with all nine Merlin engines firing at 1.71 million pounds of thrust for up to three minutes—the same as actual flight duration. In addition, the facility is home to a dual Merlin test stand consisting of two independent engine testing bays, allowing SpaceX to test up to 400 Merlin engines a year. Established in 2003, the site now averages two tests per day. GROUPS/DEPARTMENTS: DRAGON TEST: The Dragon Test department is responsible for all acceptance and qualification testing for the Draco and Super Draco engines, as well as hypergolic fuels. The department also leads post-mission Dragon vehicle disassembly and decontamination.  RAPTOR TEST: The Raptor Test department is responsible for designing, building, and activating the test stand used for the developmental Raptor engine. F9 ENGINE & COMPONENT TEST: The F9 Engine & Component Test team is responsible for ensuring maximum product quality by testing our hardware to its limits in as close to flight like conditions as possible. Hardware tests range from components to 1st stage Merlin and 2nd stage MVAC engines. This department is also responsible for integrating the engine to the second stage of Falcon 9. Testing efforts are supported through proper design, maintenance and operations of all ground support equipment.  F9 STAGE TEST: The F9 Stage Test department is responsible for planning and executing full stage testing of the Falcon 9 launch vehicle. Test Equipment Engineers support this effort through fluids system design, structural analysis and ground propellant operation.  TEST DEVELOPMENT: Texas Test Development: The Texas Test Development team is responsible for unplanned, unusual, or reactionary equipment design and testing activities. The goal of this team is to remain flexible and adaptive to company priorities while allowing most test teams to stay focused on their mission. The team is also responsible for test equipment used in the testing of 2nd stages and for developing business processes used by the engineering and fabrication teams. TEST FABRICATION & SUPPORT: This department supports all site needs including new test stand construction, infrastructure modification and repair, supply chain management, and crane operations. BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:

    • Completed a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited four-year university of college within the past 6 months by start of employment or currently enrolled in a graduate program

    PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:

    • GPA of 3.5 or higher
    • Hands-on experience through lab research, project teams, prior internship or work experience
    • Strong interpersonal skills and ability to work effectively in a team environment, accomplishing tasks with limited resources at a rapid pace
    • Intermediate skill level using Windows Operations Systems
    • Intermediate skill level using Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook)

    ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

    • Must be able to work full time for a minimum of 12 consecutive weeks beginning in May/June 2018
    • Must pass background check with satisfactory results to SpaceX
    • Must be able to provide own transportation to access SpaceX’s Rocket Development facility
    • Certain positions also require the following:
    • General physical fitness; flight hardware is typically built in tight quarters and physical dexterity is required
    • Physical effort including sitting or standing for extended periods of time, lifting and carrying weight such as materials or equipment (up to 30 lbs.)
    • Work performed in an environment with exposure to fumes, odors and noise
    • Occasionally exposed to work in extreme outdoor environments (heat, cold, rain)

    ITAR REQUIREMENTS:

    • To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, applicant 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 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.