Mission Integration Engineer, Special Programs
SpaceX· Special Programs
Hawthorne, CA$110k - $130kFull-timePosted 1mo ago
About the role
Engineering role owning the integration of customer payloads onto the SpaceX payload platform, from requirements through integrated test, flight, and on-orbit operations; acts as owner of the payload-to-platform interface (mechanical, electrical, data, thermal) and related environments, coordinating across engineering disciplines to ensure safe flight.
Responsibilities
- Own the payload-to-platform ICD: define, baseline, and configuration-control mechanical, electrical, data, and thermal interfaces
- Allocate customer and vehicle requirements to the interface; maintain traceability through analysis, test, and inspection
- Evaluate payload design against platform constraints and environments (static, dynamic, thermal, electromagnetic) for launch, on-orbit, and re-entry
- Lead interface trades (mass, volume, keep-out, loads, power, thermal, EMI/EMC, timeline) and document the technical basis
- Disposition interface non-compliances with engineering: waiver, redesign, or operational constraint, including work-around plans where required
- Define and support integrated test: interface checkout, EGSE, mate/demate, environmental test correlation, and end-to-end mission timeline
- Build and maintain the integrated mission CONOPs (on-orbit operations) with payload, vehicle, and operations teams
- Identify technical risk at the payload–platform boundary, including Do No Harm to the vehicle and co-manifested payloads; drive mitigations to closure
- Support design reviews, test readiness, and flight readiness with evidence of interface compliance—not as a customer-facing facilitator, as the responsible engineer for the interface
- Communicate interface status, open items, and technical decisions to payload providers and internal engineering teams
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in an engineering or STEM discipline
- Ability to obtain a Top Secret SCI clearance
- Experience applying systems engineering methods (requirements, interfaces, verification, or integration and test)
- Excellent verbal and written technical communication skills
Skills
Required:Interface control documentation (ICD)Requirements allocation and traceabilityIntegrated testing and verification
Benefits
- Long-term incentives (stock or long-term cash awards)
- Discretionary bonuses and Employee Stock Purchase Plan
- Medical, vision, and dental coverage
- 401(k) retirement plan
- Short and long-term disability insurance
- Life insurance
- Paid parental leave
- Paid vacation (3 weeks)
- 10+ paid holidays per year
- Paid sick leave pursuant to policy
- 10% differential for active clearance up to $20,000 annually for classified program participants
Last updated Sep 9, 2026. Interested? Apply on the company site.
About SpaceX
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