Internship Valve Engineer Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Hawthorne, CA

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.

As a Manufacturing Engineer for Raptor machining, you will have the opportunity to influence, scale, and solve challenging problems relating to the production of Raptor machined piece parts and processing. The ideal candidate will thrive in a fast-paced environment with ever-changing scope and focus areas. This individual understands how to best design for manufacturing and will conceptualize and implement full-scale production processes for machining our critical hardware within production rate and cost goals.

• Identify, develop, and implement machining processes to help solve for engine cost, quality, and production rate – specifically focused on valve, turbopump, thrust chamber or injector hardware.
• Work between manufacturing and design engineers, machinists, technicians, and quality to ensure processes are robust and any production problems are quickly solved.
• Partner with design to identify and implement design for manufacturing (DFM) updates at both the piece part and system level, own change management into production.
• Aggressively implement machining process controls that allow parts to run ‘lights out’. Leverage latest technologies and programming strategies to reduce in-cycle intervention.
• Be responsible for part or part family quality; understand quality landscape, and drive projects to ensure dimensions meet part requirements with low overhead.
• Drive machining processes toward statistically controlled (SPC) environment. Develop and implement tools needed to show capability.
• Oversee full circle machining process from fixture design and manufacturing, CAM programming and program refinement, cutting tool selection, and buyoff/inspection methodologies.
• Constantly challenge each process, part, operation to create the most manufacturable and reliable engine hardware possible.
• Work with production to ensure the hardware you are responsible for is delivered on time or ahead of schedule.
• Oversee introduction and implementation of new products and product revisions, frequently multiple at a given time.

• Bachelor's degree in engineering discipline or physics.
• 1+ years of experience in a manufacturing environment (student project team and internship experience qualifies).

• Strong experience with machining concepts, problems and producing hardware.
• Ability and desire to work in a fast-paced, problem-solving environment.
• Master's degree in mechanical, manufacturing, or aerospace engineering.
• Ability to work on multiple projects and initiatives in parallel.
• Mechanical component and/or tooling design and analysis (3D computer-aided design).
• Experience with process development from R&D to volume manufacturing.
• Experience writing work instructions and procedures for critical aerospace parts.
• Experience in a production environment within the aerospace industry.

• This is a hands‑on position that will require standing for long durations of your day and working directly with hardware on the floor.
• Must be comfortable stooping, bending, and standing.
• Position may require occasional travel, long hours or weekend work.

Pay range:
Manufacturing Engineer/Level I: $100,000.00 - $115,000.00 per year
Manufacturing Engineer/Level II: $110,000.00 - $135,000.00 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.

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 Affi…