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Propulsion Engineer (Merlin Hardware Development)

SpaceX· Merlin and Flight Ops Engineering
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Hawthorne, CA$100k - $140kFull-timePosted 3mo ago

About the role

Merlin propulsion hardware engineer responsible for engine hardware and software from build to flight, driving design, process, and operational improvements to Merlin reliability and producibility while enabling Falcon-scale production.

Responsibilities

  • Serve as the Responsible Engineer for a Merlin engine component or system, primary technical contact through the life cycle
  • Lead Merlin development and qualification test campaigns for hardware improvements or root cause investigations
  • Design, analyze, produce, and operate Merlin propulsion hardware and systems across development and flight operations
  • Partner with production, test, launch, avionics, GNC, software, mission management, and flight reliability teams to deliver flight-ready engines
  • Resolve day-to-day production, test, and launch issues by hands-on hardware involvement
  • Brief commercial and government customers on hardware changes and issues as a technical authority
  • Make sound, risk-informed decisions under time pressure during test and launch campaigns
  • Implement and maintain hardware and software verification and validation with automation and process controls
  • Develop and improve engine maintenance procedures with launch site and test teams
  • Lead anomaly investigations, drive rapid resolution, and implement corrective actions
  • Build tools, especially leveraging AI, to automate analysis and speed up decisions
  • Run multiple concurrent projects, prioritizing against milestones and business needs

Qualifications

  • Bachelor’s degree in an engineering discipline or physics
  • 1+ years of hands-on experience in fabrication, assembly, and/or testing
  • 1+ years of CAD design experience

Skills

Required:Responsible Engineering
Nice to have:Mastery of Merlin propulsion concepts (implied)

Benefits

  • Long-term incentives (stock or long-term cash awards)
  • Discretionary bonuses and Employee Stock Purchase Plan
  • Comprehensive medical, vision, and dental coverage
  • 401(k) retirement plan
  • Short and long-term disability insurance
  • Life insurance
  • Paid parental leave
  • 3 weeks paid vacation and 10+ paid holidays per year
  • Paid sick leave as per company policy
Last updated Aug 19, 2026. Interested? Apply on the company site.

About SpaceX

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