SpaceX
Propulsion Engineer, Stage Systems (Starship)
About this role
SpaceX seeks a Propulsion Engineer to design and manage the fluid and propulsion systems for Starship stages, including propellant feed, pressurization, and control systems. You'll own system performance from design through flight operations, supporting testing, launch, and anomaly resolution across all SpaceX facilities.
What you'll do
- Develop and maintain top-level requirements, design, and performance specifications for stage propulsion systems
- Create and maintain thermal/fluid models and control system timing, valve sequencing, and mission designs
- Review stage checkouts, non-conformances, and perform final vehicle inspections before shipment or testing
- Generate and execute comprehensive stage test plans; validate system performance and sign off acceptance
- Review and approve stage launch procedures, integration instructions, and flight software
- Support launch operations and lead flight anomaly resolution and corrective actions
What they're looking for
- Thermodynamics, incompressible flow, and compressible flow analysis
- Pressurized fluid systems, pneumatics, cryogenics, valves, and components
- Thermal and fluid modeling software
- Python and/or MATLAB
- Control systems concepts and flight software fundamentals
- Aerospace instrumentation (pressure transducers, RTDs)
- Hardware fabrication, assembly, and testing experience
- Statics and mechanics of materials
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SpaceX
SpaceX develops advanced spacecraft and satellite systems, including the Starshield government satellite constellation and Starfall re-entry cargo capsule for global delivery. The company is hiring engineers in avionics integration, software test automation, mechanical design, and hardware reliability to validate flight-critical systems and ensure mission success.
- Website
- spacex.com
Likely interview questions
- Describe your experience designing or analyzing pressurized fluid systems—what was your role and what specific challenges did you solve?
- Walk us through how you would approach developing thermal and fluid models for a multi-stage propulsion system and validating them against test data.