Design and build flight hardware for SpaceX's Starship, working hands-on with a world-class production team.
Skills & Technologies
Requirements
- Experience
- 1+ years
- Education
- Bachelor's degree
- Visa
- Sponsorship available
Joblaze summary
The Structures Design Engineer at SpaceX focuses on the design and construction of critical flight hardware, including propellant tanks and structural subassemblies. Proficiency in 3D CAD software and a solid grasp of GD&T principles are essential for this role, which demands hands-on problem-solving and collaboration with a diverse team. This position is ideal for early-career engineers with a background in mechanical design who thrive in fast-paced environments. The role emphasizes real-time decision-making and the ability to adapt designs quickly to meet SpaceX's ambitious goals.
Joblaze insights
- Listed 5 days ago on Joblaze — tracked directly from SpaceX's career page.
- SpaceX has 2116 other open roles including Automated Welding Technician (Starship), Automation & Controls Specialist (Starship) - Night Shift, Materials Technician, Glue Factory (Starship) - 2nd Shift .
- 43 active fluid systems roles on Joblaze right now.
- 37 active 3D CAD roles on Joblaze right now.
- 9 active Mechanical Design roles on Joblaze right now.
- Typical 3D CAD salary we track runs $100,000–$100,000 (median $100,000, across 17 roles).
Quick facts
- Is the Structures Design Engineer (Starship) role remote?
- No — this is an on-site role in Starbase, TX.
- How much experience is required?
- At least 1 year of relevant experience for this Structures Design Engineer (Starship) role.
- Where is the role based?
- SpaceX is hiring for this position in Starbase, TX.
- What's the tech stack?
- Joblaze extracted these technologies from the posting: Sheet Metal, fluid systems, Mechanical Design, 3D CAD.
- Does SpaceX sponsor work visas for this role?
- Yes — the posting indicates visa sponsorship is available for the right candidate.
- What seniority level is this role?
- SpaceX targets junior candidates for this position.
- Is this full-time or contract?
- Full-time for this Structures Design Engineer (Starship) 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.
STRUCTURES DESIGN ENGINEER (STARSHIP)
The structures design engineer is responsible for designing and building flight hardware such as propellant tanks, integration interfaces, primary structures, and structural subassemblies. You will be empowered to make real-time decisions, solve complex problems on the fly, and own end-to-end processes. The role will require the readiness to develop subject matter expertise in design for manufacturability, specifically those related to sheet metal and subassembly design and fabrication. If you are ready to be a hardware owner, eager to get out from behind a desk, and be hands-on working alongside a world-class production team, this may be the right role for you.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Design metallic structures and propulsion fluid systems under accelerated timelines
- Review specifications and other engineering data to develop mechanical systems
- Update designs and drawings through engineering change orders to support SpaceX's rapid pace of design iteration
- Create detailed component and assembly drawings incorporating an understanding of GD&T and tolerance stack-ups
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:
- Bachelor's degree in an engineering discipline
- 1+ years of mechanical design and drafting experience (including internships or personal projects)
- Experience with 3D CAD software (NX, Solidworks, etc)
PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:
- Solid understanding and application of GD&T and tolerance stack-ups
- Hands-on experience working in school club or project teams designing hardware in a highly constrained system under defined timelines
- Familiarity with sheet metal design, welded structures, and fluid systems
- Ability to manage large assembly models and drawings
- Ability to work and communicate well in an integrated team including daily interactions with technicians, engineers, and leadership
- Creative problem solver that can bring multiple disciplines together to achieve buy-in for a unified design direction
- Self-motivated with strong multi-tasking, organizational, communication and documentation skills
ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:
- Must be available to work long hours and weekends as needed
- Willing to travel to various SpaceX sites (up to 25%)
ITAR REQUIREMENTS:
- To conform to U.S. Government export regulations, applicant must be a (i) U.S. citizen or national, (ii) U.S. lawful, permanent resident (aka green card holder), (iii) Refugee under 8 U.S.C. § 1157, or (iv) Asylee under 8 U.S.C. § 1158, or be eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State. Learn more about the ITAR here.
SpaceX is an Equal Opportunity Employer; employment with SpaceX is governed on the basis of merit, competence and qualifications and will not be influenced in any manner by race, color, religion, gender, national origin/ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, mental or physical disability or any other legally protected status.
Applicants wishing to view a copy of SpaceX’s Affirmative Action Plan for veterans and individuals with disabilities, or applicants requiring reasonable accommodation to the application/interview process should reach out to EEOCompliance@spacex.com.