Contractual Engine Design Engineer Jobs in California

SR. PROPULSION DESIGN ENGINEER (RAPTOR ENGINE SYSTEMS)

The Raptor Systems Design team is seeking a senior engineer to own the definition, enforcement, and validation of engine design criteria-closing the loop between design, test, analysis, and build. You will manage requirements for the world's most advanced rocket engine, ensure they cascade effectively to subsystems, and verify they're met through rigorous testing and analysis.
You will maintain and improve department-wide design documentation (including DCRs, PDRs, CDRs), drive corrective actions on deficiencies, and uphold best practices in design, development, and production. You will track the overall health of design criteria for the engine, report risks and gaps to leadership, and lead cross-team efforts to resolve issues in ways that benefit the entire program.
This role requires a self-directed engineer with hardware ownership experience, exceptional communication skills, and a strong background in CAD, structural design, and fluid systems. The ideal candidate will have a track record of successfully driving large, multi-team initiatives. Experience working with rocket engines in both development and production environments is a plus. Your work will directly ensure that Raptor is ready to be the rocket engine that makes life multiplanetary.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Partner with subsystem and component owners to translate top-level requirements into clear, measurable criteria at lower levels.
• Audit design documentation regularly to identify gaps, risks, and inconsistencies, and drive the closure of any findings.
• Review test and analysis data to confirm criteria are met, initiating follow-up actions where validation falls short.
• Develop and refine department processes for design reviews (DCR, PDR, CDR) to improve efficiency and clarity of outcomes.
• Compile and deliver periodic design health reports to leadership, highlighting critical issues and progress trends.
• Facilitate resolution of cross-team conflicts by balancing technical, schedule, and program-wide priorities.
• Champion design best practices by sharing lessons learned and aligning teams on standards for producibility, reliability, and performance.
• Lead initiatives that integrate feedback from production, test, and flight operations into design updates.
• Collaborate with manufacturing, test, and analysis teams to ensure design readiness for production hardware.

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor's degree in an engineering discipline.
• 5+ years of professional experience in mechanical design, including 3D CAD modeling.

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:

• 6+ years of professional 3D CAD experience with complex mechanical assemblies.
• 3+ years of experience owning hardware, systems, or projects from concept through delivery.
• 3+ years of experience solving problems involving fluid systems, heat transfer, and structural design.
• Demonstrated ability to develop, maintain, and enforce technical documentation and design requirements.
• Strong communication skills with experience presenting to both technical teams and senior leadership.
• Experience defining and validating engineering requirements at the system and subsystem level.
• Proven success implementing and improving configuration management processes in both development and production environments.
• Strong understanding of design validation methods through analysis and test, including test data review.
• Familiarity with high-strength, oxidation-resistant, and propellant-compatible materials for cryogenic and high-temperature environments.
• Knowledge of manufacturing processes such as turning, milling, drilling, brazing, welding, forming, forging, casting, and 3D printing.
• Understanding of mechanical seals, threaded fasteners, high-pressure fluid systems, and aerospace hardware standards.
• Basic knowledge of NDT techniques and design for inspection.
• Experience supporting the integration and testing of rocket propulsion hardware.
• Proficiency in NX, Teamcenter, and ANSYS; SQL experience a plus.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Must be able to work extended hours and weekends as needed
• Willingness to travel in support of launching and testing hardware

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS:

Pay range:

Propulsion Engineer/Senior: $125,000.00 - $175,000.00/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 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.