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Principal Construction Engineer

Design, build, and activate advanced manufacturing facilities as a Principal Construction Engineer at SpaceX.

Location
Hawthorne, CA
Compensation
$180k–$275k/yr
Level
principal
Type
full time · On-site

Posted by employer 1 week ago

First seen on Joblaze 1 week ago

Last verified on the company career page 1 day ago

What you'll build

  • Oversee full lifecycle of projects
  • Manage multi-discipline construction projects
  • Perform project control tasks
  • Facilitate city and governmental approvals
  • Coordinate project implementation

Must have

  • Bachelor’s degree in an engineering discipline, architecture, or construction management
  • 10+ years of construction experience

Nice to have

  • Professional Engineer (PE) License
  • Experience managing multiple vertical projects
  • Knowledge of jurisdictional permitting processes
  • Understanding of civil, structural, mechanical, electrical disciplines
  • Manufacturing facility experience

Practical constraints

  • Ability to work at elevated heights (200+ feet)
  • Must be available to work extended hours and weekends when needed

Requirements

Experience
10+ years
Education
Bachelor's degree

Not disclosed in this posting: visa sponsorship.

Benefits

401k Match Paid Vacation Paid Sick Leave Equity/Stock Options Paid Holidays Health Insurance Parental Leave

Joblaze summary

The Principal Construction Engineer at SpaceX is responsible for overseeing the entire lifecycle of complex construction projects, ensuring they are delivered on time and within budget. This role requires expertise in managing multi-discipline projects, with a strong emphasis on project control, scheduling, and cost management. Ideal candidates will have over a decade of construction experience, preferably with a background in engineering or architecture, and familiarity with various construction disciplines. The position is part of a dynamic team focused on building advanced manufacturing facilities that support SpaceX's ambitious goals.

Joblaze insights

  • Listed 9 days ago — first seen on Joblaze October 31, 2026. Last confirmed on SpaceX's careers page November 8, 2026.
  • Salary band is above the typical range for comparable tech roles (median ~$127,500).
  • Starts above 38% of 98 comparable principal other roles in United States we track (median $181,913 across 31 companies).

Quick facts

Is the Principal Construction Engineer role remote?
No — this is an on-site role in Hawthorne, CA.
What's the salary range?
SpaceX lists $180,000–$275,000 for this role.
How much experience is required?
At least 10 years of relevant experience for this Principal Construction Engineer role.
Where is the role based?
SpaceX is hiring for this position in Hawthorne, CA.
What seniority level is this role?
SpaceX targets principal-level candidates for this position.
Is this full-time or contract?
Full-time for this Principal Construction Engineer role at SpaceX.

From the original posting

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.

PRINCIPAL CONSTRUCTION ENGINEER

As a member of the HQ construction team, you will design, build, and activate some of the world’s most technically advanced manufacturing facilities. We execute complex construction projects and infrastructure improvements from cradle to grave. You will be able to operate with autonomy to solve diverse and complex problems, excel at managing multiple projects at a time and work in a dynamic, fast-paced environment. You will work with other construction engineers, architects, trade partners and internal customers to support these goals and have the opportunity to drive real global impact, ultimately leading to making life multiplanetary. All SpaceX construction engineers serve additionally as project managers and supers – this is a construction management role per industry standards. The position is based in Hawthorne, CA.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

  • Oversee and own full lifecycle of projects with on-time and under-budget delivery
  • Manage all aspects of multi-discipline construction projects in the field and office
  • Be the overall construction project manager and extreme owner
  • Perform project control tasks, including project scheduling and cost control
  • Interact with contractors, fabricators, and internal customers
  • Resolve design and construction conflicts in the field in real-time
  • Provide budgetary costs based upon the preliminary scope of the project
  • Gather proposals from architects, engineers and contractors; assign contracts upon receipt of all proposals
  • Facilitate city, county, and governmental approvals
  • Coordinate project implementation and track project status
  • Coordinate with end user and facilities team for building operations and maintenance
  • Develop tools and approach to supporting the space allocation and adjudication process across the enterprise
  • Coordinate real estate planning and management functions as needed
  • Take on new projects ad-hoc as the business needs

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:

  • Bachelor’s degree in an engineering discipline, architecture, or construction management
  • 10+ years of construction experience

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

  • Professional Engineer (PE) License
  • Experience managing multiple vertical projects
  • Knowledge of processes of jurisdictional permitting and/or environmental agencies
  • Understanding of multiple disciplines such as civil, structural, mechanical, electrical, piping, geotechnical, and surveying
  • Experience with project management of major construction projects including estimating, cost control, schedule, and contractor management
  • Experience reading, reviewing, and approving shop and fabrication drawings, blueprints, and technical manuals
  • Manufacturing facility experience

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

  • Ability to work at elevated heights (200+ feet)
  • Physical effort with lifting and carrying materials or equipment (up to 25 lbs.)
  • Typically exposed to work in extreme outdoor environments – heat, cold, rain
  • Work performed in an environment requiring exposure to fumes, odors, and noise
  • Must be available to work extended hours and weekends when needed based on site operational needs; flexibility required
  • Valid driver’s license
  • Occasional travel may be required to support projects at other sites

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS:

Pay Range:
Level 3: $180,000.00 - $275,000.00

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 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 and long-term disability insurance, life insurance, paid parental leave, and various other discounts and perks. You may also accrue 3 weeks of paid vacation and will be eligible for 10 or more paid holidays per year. Employees accrue paid sick leave pursuant to Company policy which satisfies or exceeds the accrual, carryover, and use requirements of the law.

ITAR REQUIREMENTS:

Standard company text repeated across SpaceX's postings is omitted here.

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