Sr. Propulsion Engineer (Raptor Flight)
SpaceX· Raptor Flight Operations
Hawthorne, CA$135k - $215kFull-timePosted 2mo ago
About the role
Senior Propulsion Engineer responsible for taking Raptor engine operations from concept to reliable flight, overseeing processes to effectively and safely prepare and fly Starship launch vehicles, and driving reliability and efficiency across flight operations.
Responsibilities
- Perform analysis, development engineering, and flight operations tasks for Raptor engine propulsion systems.
- Align resources to accomplish team’s objectives, practice clear ownership, and set the performance bar at a high standard of excellence.
- Enable high launch cadence with automated analysis of test and flight data; expand capabilities and develop new algorithms to improve reliability of flight processes.
- Collaborate with engineers and technicians across disciplines to achieve successful engine performance in flight and ground testing, refining designs and practices for reliability and cost reduction.
- Support live test and flight operations as primary console operator; analyze telemetry data to assess engine health and troubleshoot anomalies.
- Exercise risk-conscious decision-making under high pressure; brief leadership during live operations and anomaly investigations.
- Support vehicle-level readiness and data reviews for engine systems; represent engine as Responsible Engineer to vehicle, ground, and customer disciplines.
- Implement and maintain hardware and software verification processes through automation and process controls.
- Fully own critical spaceflight operations (and possibly hardware) with profound responsibility.
- Execute walkdowns and support hardware troubleshooting in the field.
- Develop engineering test and flight plans; own engine development and validation testing campaigns or engineering inputs.
- Balance competing priorities and multiple projects; push tasks to completion with urgency and ownership.
- Operate in high-stress environment with grit and endurance.
- Apply thermofluids fundamentals to size fluid systems and perform performance and risk trades for Raptor engine products and stage systems.
- Lead engineering reviews and drive trade analyses to practical recommendations and decisions.
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in an engineering discipline with training in thermofluids area.
- 4+ years of experience with liquid rocket engines or associated fluid systems.
- Experience in hardware design, manufacture, assembly, test, or flight.
Skills
Required:ThermofluidsEngine development and validationData analysis and telemetryHardware/software verificationCross-disciplinary collaborationRisk managementLeadership and communicationEngineering planning
Benefits
- Comprehensive medical, vision, and dental coverage
- 401(k) retirement plan
- short and long-term disability insurance
- life insurance
- paid parental leave
- 3 weeks of paid vacation
- 10 or more paid holidays per year
- paid sick leave
- Employee Stock Purchase Plan and potential bonuses
- stock or long-term incentives
- discounts and perks
Last updated Aug 5, 2026. Interested? Apply on the company site.
About SpaceX
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