Sr. Fluid Components Analyst

SR. FLUID COMPONENTS ANALYST (STARSHIP)

The Propulsion Components team develops the most advanced spacecraft and launch vehicle components in the world. Our engineers serve as hardware experts for the flow and position control devices that drive the critical capabilities on the Starship/Super Heavy Vehicle- from regulators and butterfly valves to solenoids. We design, develop and characterize components for simplicity, manufacturability and reliability in extreme environments, with temperatures ranging from 80 to 800 K, and pressures beyond 800 bar. As a Sr. Fluid Components Analyst, you will use your expertise and creativity to develop state-of-the-art design and analysis tools for propulsion components. You will set the standard for reliable and high-performing fluid component design, and you will empower the broader design team with a suite of custom tools and resources to minimize development lead time and on-vehicle hardware failures. Your analysis will provide input into vehicle and component architecture trades, and you will take a lead role in design and flight readiness on Starship, the vehicle that will make humanity multi-planetary.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Develop design and analysis tools for sealing, force balance, spring sizing, friction, electromagnets, and flow dynamics to maximize reliability and minimize lead time of valves and regulators
• Work with test counterparts to anchor models and analytical tools in flight-like testing
• Quantify hardware upgrade impacts to vehicle performance (increased mass to orbit) through the integration of fluid component and system models
• Mentor team members on detailed component design, serving as the resident subject matter expert for the team
• Drive system trades, requirements definition, architecture selection, analysis (static, thermal, fluid, magnetic), prototyping, hardware bring-up, troubleshooting, documentation, and testing of innovative mechanisms
• Implement data analysis and software to automate testing and data review of components to continually improve designs at an increasing launch cadence
• Develop state-of-the-art, manufacturable flow control devices (valves, regulators, solenoids across Starship and Super Heavy stage systems. Question requirements, delete parts and processes, simplify/optimize, accelerate, and automate component deliveries
• Spearhead root cause investigations that arise in development, production, test, integration and launch, implement corrective actions to prevent repeat failures
• Act as the chief engineer, collaborating with stage/component teams to arrive at the simplest solution for the vehicle. Inform system-level architecture, with component capabilities and vulnerabilities in mind, to minimize cost of payload to orbit

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:

• Master’s degree in mechanical, physics, materials, or other engineering discipline
• 3+ years of professional experience in fluid, thermal, or structural analysis to inform mechanical design

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:

• PhD in mechanical, physics, materials, or other engineering discipline
• Proficient in statics, mechanics of materials, fluid mechanics, durability, electricity/magnetism, and heat transfer
• 2+ years of professional experience rapidly designing, testing, and troubleshooting reliable mechanisms
• 2+ years of professional experience in structural, thermal, fluid, magnetic, and finite element analysis using commercial tools, such as Ansys, Nastran, Abaqus, and sinda/fluint
• Prior analytical programming experience (Python, EES, MATLAB, C/C++, Excel)
• Experience in selection, design, and manufacturing of seals, solenoids, and springs
• Able to perform hand calculations to validate and improve models
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills with the ability to influence others
• Ability to work in an autonomously driven and demanding start­up atmosphere
• Hands-on experience working with fluid or mechanical systems in a professional setting
• Experience in CAD (NX, Solidworks, or similar), a strong understanding of common manufacturing processes (mills, lathes, manual and CNC), and proficiency in GD&T (Geometric Dimensioning & Tolerancing)

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Ability to work extended hours or weekends as needed for mission critical deadlines
• Travel to vendors and other SpaceX sites as needed

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS:

Pay range:
Fluid Components Analyst/Senior: $125,000.00 - $175,000.00/per year

Your actual level and base salary will be determined on a case-by-case basis and may vary based on the following considerations: job-related knowledge and skills, education, and experience.

Base salary is just one part of your total rewards package at SpaceX. You may also be eligible for long-term incentives, in the form of company stock, stock options, or long-term cash awards, as well as potential discretionary bonuses and the ability to purchase additional stock at a discount through an Employee Stock Purchase Plan. You will also receive access to comprehensive medical, vision, and dental coverage, access to a 401(k) retirement plan, short & long-term disability insurance, life insurance, paid parental leave, and various other discounts and perks. You may also accrue 3 weeks of paid vacation & will be eligible for 10 or more paid holidays per year. Exempt employees are eligible for 5 days of sick leave per year.