SpaceX
Recovery Engineer (F9 Booster & Fairings)
About this role
SpaceX seeks a Recovery Engineer to manage the processing and turnaround of recovered Falcon 9 boosters and fairings at the Port of Long Beach. This role combines hands-on hardware operations with engineering leadership, requiring you to optimize recovery procedures, design ground support equipment, and oversee cross-functional teams while periodically deploying to offshore recovery missions.
What you'll do
- Own end-to-end mission campaigns for processing landed Falcon 9 boosters and fairings
- Develop procedures, test plans, and operational concepts for flight hardware processing
- Design and build ground support equipment to improve recovery operations efficiency
- Lead teams of 10+ personnel and resolve operational blockers in real-time
- Interface across launch, refurbishment, logistics, and engineering teams to improve reuse strategies
- Deploy on offshore recovery voyages to retrieve rockets and fairings in dynamic ocean environments
What they're looking for
- Aerospace or aviation systems development and processing
- Ground support equipment design, maintenance, and troubleshooting
- Fluid, mechanical, and electrical systems operation
- Operations planning and leadership (10+ person teams)
- Real-time decision-making under high pressure
- Automation and control systems programming
- Cross-functional team collaboration and communication
- Continuous process improvement methodologies
Benefits
- Comprehensive medical, vision, and dental coverage
- 401(k) retirement plan
- Long-term incentives via company stock or cash awards
- Employee Stock Purchase Plan with discount
- Short and long-term disability insurance
- Paid parental leave
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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 processing complex aerospace systems and the most significant operational challenge you've overcome.
- Tell us about a time you led a team through a high-pressure situation where real-time decisions directly impacted success—what was your approach?