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Sr. Trajectory Analysis Engineer (Starship)

Hawthorne, CA
Full Time On-site

Summary

Job Description

As a Trajectory Analysis Engineer, you will be responsible for finding creative analysis solutions to enable the world's most advanced rockets, including our next-generation Starship vehicle, a fully reusable spacecraft capable of carrying humans to Mars and beyond. You will work with a talented team of accomplished engineers to iterate on mission objectives for upcoming and future flights to ensure flight safety objectives are met. You should thrive in fast-paced, dynamic environments where you adapt quickly and love to solve hard problems.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

  • Analyze launch vehicle trajectories and vehicle performance in the presence of faults
  • Find creative flight plan solutions to enable mission objectives, while maintaining safe vehicle operation
  • Generate and submit flight safety deliverables
  • Produce and present trajectory analysis products for internal and external partners
  • Interface with internal operations teams, flight reliability teams, hardware teams, and external regulatory partners such as the FAA.
  • Engage in multi-disciplinary vehicle systems investigations to motivate mission design, vehicle architecture, and analysis methodologies
  • Develop and evaluate flight termination system mission rules
  • Support launch and mission operations of vehicles that you enabled
  • Conduct flight data review
  • Automate mission-to-mission trajectory analysis product generation

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:

  • Bachelor's degree in physics or an engineering discipline AND 5+ years of professional experience
  • Experience with orbital mechanics, classical dynamics, modeling, and simulation
  • Experience with the software languages Python or C++

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:

  • 5+ years of professional experience in trajectory analysis and aerodynamics
  • Demonstrated project or professional experience in launch vehicle and/or spacecraft systems
  • Capable of solving complex problems with little to no supervision on schedule as an individual or as a member of an integrated team
  • Experience with system trades and first-hand knowledge of how requirements tie hardware to larger systems
  • Passion for advancing the commercial space industry and human spaceflight
  • Excellent communication skills both written and verbal

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

  • Must be willing to work extended hours and/or weekends as needed

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS:

Pay range:
Trajectory Analysis Engineer/Senior: $140,000.00 - $205,000.00/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.

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. Section 1157, or (iv) Asylee under 8 U.S.C. Section 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.