ZipRecruiter

Log In

SpaceX
SpaceX

60 Space Exploration Technologies Propulsion Engineer Jobs Hiring Near You

SpaceX

Propulsion Engineer (Raptor Flight)

Hawthorne, CA · On-site

$115K - $160K/yr

SpaceX was founded under the belief that a future where humanity is out exploring the stars is ... PROPULSION ENGINEER (RAPTOR FLIGHT) The Propulsion Engineer role is responsible for taking hardware ...

SpaceX

Propulsion Engineer (Raptor Flight)

Hawthorne, CA · On-site

$115K - $160K/yr

SpaceX was founded under the belief that a future where humanity is out exploring the stars is ... PROPULSION ENGINEER (RAPTOR FLIGHT) The Propulsion Engineer role is responsible for taking hardware ...

SPACE EXPLORATION TECHNOLOGIES CORP

WI · On-site

Today SpaceX is actively developing the technologies to make this possible, with the ultimate goal of enabling human life on Mars. PROPULSION ENGINEER, STAGE SYSTEMS (STARSHIP) The Stage Responsible ...

next page

Showing results 1-20

All JobsSpace Exploration Technologies JobsSpace Exploration Technologies Propulsion Engineer Jobs

SpaceX Jobs Information

Do workers at SpaceX get paid breaks?

Yes. Most people get paid breaks.
75% of people say they get paid breaks.
Based on data from 67 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between September 2025 and September 2026.

Does SpaceX pay people when they’re sick?

Yes. Most people get paid when they’re sick.
75% of people say they would get paid if they were sick but scheduled to work.
Based on data from 69 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between September 2025 and September 2026.

At SpaceX, are sick days and vacation days separate paid time off?

Sick days and vacation days are separate paid time off.
79% of people say they don’t have to use vacation days when they’re out sick.
Based on data from 68 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between September 2025 and September 2026.

Is the health insurance from SpaceX affordable enough for their workers?

Most people say the health insurance costs are okay.
99% of people say the health insurance costs are okay
Based on data from 69 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between September 2025 and September 2026.

Do people get paid time off at SpaceX?

Most people get paid time off work.
97% of people say they get paid time off.
Based on data from 71 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between September 2025 and September 2026.

How far ahead of time do people find out their work schedule?

Most people find out their schedule less than four weeks ahead of time.
  • 69% of people with changing schedules find out their shifts one week or less ahead of time.
  • 8% of people with changing schedules find out their shifts two weeks ahead of time.
  • 3% of people with changing schedules find out their shifts three weeks ahead of time.
  • 21% of people with changing schedules find out their shifts four weeks or more ahead of time.

Based on data from 39 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between January 2025 and August 2026.

Do workers at SpaceX worry about hours?

Most people don’t worry about getting enough hours.
98% of people report they don’t worry about getting enough hours.
Based on data from 101 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between January 2025 and August 2026.

Do SpaceX workers get to choose the shifts they work?

Some people don’t get to choose which shifts they work.
52% report that they don’t have enough control over which shifts they work.
Based on data from 87 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between January 2025 and August 2026.

How easy is it for SpaceX workers to change shifts?

Some people find it hard to change shifts.
52% of people report that it’s hard to change shifts if they need to.
Based on data from 52 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between January 2025 and August 2026.

How easy is it to get time off at SpaceX?

Most people find it easy to get time off.
91% of people report it’s easy to get time off.
Based on data from 66 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between September 2025 and September 2026.

Do SpaceX managers change schedules at the last minute?

Most managers don’t change people’s schedules at the last minute.
84% of people say their manager doesn’t change their shift schedule at the last minute.
Based on data from 99 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between January 2025 and August 2026.

Do jobs at SpaceX spill into time workers aren’t paid for?

Rarely. The job doesn't usually spill into unpaid time.
8% of people report that their job takes up time that they don’t get paid for.
Based on data from 99 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between January 2025 and August 2026.

How easy is it to take sick days at SpaceX?

Most people find it easy to take sick days.
97% of people report that it’s easy to take time off if they are sick.
Based on data from 71 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between September 2025 and September 2026.

Is a SpaceX job good for students?

Most students say this is a good place to work if you’re studying.
81% of students report this is a good place to work if you’re studying.
Based on data from 16 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between March 2025 and March 2026.

Is working at SpaceX good if you’re a parent or caregiver?

Only some parents and caregivers say this is a good place to work.
54% of people who care for a child or other relative report this isn’t a good place to work.
Based on data from 37 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between January 2025 and August 2026.

Do people at SpaceX feel treated with respect by their managers?

Most people feel treated with respect by their managers.
84% of people say they’re treated with respect by their managers.
Based on data from 67 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between September 2025 and September 2026.

Do people at SpaceX get to take their breaks without interruption?

Most people get breaks without interruption.
82% of people report that they get to take their breaks without interruption.
Based on data from 67 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between September 2025 and September 2026.

Is it stressful to work at SpaceX?

Most people feel stressed here.
68% of people say they often feel stressed at work.
Based on data from 66 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between September 2025 and September 2026.

Do people at SpaceX enjoy their jobs?

Most people enjoy their job.
95% of people report they enjoy their job.
Based on data from 59 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between September 2025 and September 2026.

Do people at SpaceX recommend working with their team?

Most people recommend working with their team.
69% of people report that they would recommend working with their immediate team to a friend.
Based on data from 74 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between September 2025 and September 2026.

Do people get enough training when they start at SpaceX?

Some people didn’t get enough training when they started.
39% of people report they didn’t get enough training when they started working here.
Based on data from 70 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between September 2025 and September 2026.

Do people get support to advance at SpaceX?

Most people are given support to advance their career here.
In the last year, 77% of people report being given support to advance their career here.
Based on data from 70 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between September 2025 and September 2026.

Do people think SpaceX’s headquarters understands what’s happening where they work?

Some people think headquarters doesn’t understand what’s happening where they work.
61% of people think that this employer’s headquarters or owners don’t have a good understanding of what’s really happening where they work.
Based on data from 59 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between September 2025 and September 2026.

Do workers feel well informed about how SpaceX is doing?

Most people feel well informed about how the company is doing.
89% of people feel that they are kept well informed about how the company is doing as a whole.
Based on data from 71 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between September 2025 and September 2026.

What other companies are hiring for Propulsion Engineer jobs?

What are the most popular jobs at Space Exploration Technologies?

Propulsion Engineer (Merlin Hardware Development)

Hawthorne, CA • On-site

SpaceX
Aerospace Product and Parts Manufacturing • 1 - 5K employees
Learn more about SpaceXexternal

$115K - $140K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 29 days ago

Key responsibilities

  • Own engine hardware and software from first build through acceptance test, flight, and re-flight.

  • Lead development and qualification test campaigns for hardware improvements or root cause investigations.

  • Resolve day-to-day production, test, and launch issues by working hands-on with the hardware.

SpaceX rating

8.7

Company rating: 8.7 out of 10

Based on 152 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

Job description

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.
PROPULSION ENGINEER (MERLIN HARDWARE DEVELOPMENT)
As a Merlin Propulsion Engineer, you will own engine hardware and software from first build through acceptance test, flight, and re-flight. You will drive design, process, and operational changes that improve Merlin reliability, producibility, and performance-and help Falcon scale production and flight rate without sacrificing the flight heritage that made it the world's most reliable launch vehicle. On any given week you might be hands-on with the engine, in a design or test review, briefing a customer, or closing an anomaly investigation before the next launch.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
  • Serve as the Responsible Engineer for a Merlin engine component or system, where you will be the primary technical point of contact for your hardware through the complete life cycle
  • Lead Merlin development and qualification test campaigns for hardware improvements or root cause investigations
  • Design, analyze, produce, and operate Merlin propulsion hardware and systems across development and flight operations
  • Partner with engineers and technicians across production, test, launch, avionics, GNC (guidance, navigation & control), software, mission management, and flight reliability to deliver flight-ready engines
  • Resolve day-to-day production, test, and launch issues by getting hands-on with the hardware
  • Brief commercial and government customers on hardware changes and issues as a technical authority for mission success
  • Make sound, risk-informed decisions under time pressure, including during test and launch campaigns
  • Implement and maintain hardware and software verification and validation using automation and process controls that scale with flight rate
  • Develop and improve engine maintenance procedures with the launch site and test teams to improve hardware readiness and reduce turnaround time
  • Lead anomaly investigations related to your hardware, drive rapid resolution, and implement corrective actions to prevent recurrence
  • Build tools, especially while leveraging AI, to automate analysis, reduce repetitive work, and speed up engineering decisions
  • Run multiple concurrent projects, prioritizing against program milestones and business needs while maintaining excellent attention to detail

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:
  • Bachelor's degree in an engineering discipline or physics
  • 1+ years of academic or professional hands-on experience performing fabrication, assembly, and/or testing
  • 1+ years of academic or professional experience using CAD to design parts/assemblies

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:
  • Master's degree in mechanical engineering or aeronautical/astronautical engineering
  • 1+ years of academic or professional experience related to combustion devices or rocket engine development
  • Strong foundation in fluid mechanics (compressible and incompressible), thermodynamics, combustion, structures/fracture mechanics, and materials-and the judgment to apply them to real hardware decisions.
  • Experience with manufacturing processes such as CNC mill/lathe, welding, castings, additive, etc. and proficient with the fundamentals of Design for Manufacturing/Assembly (DFMA)
  • Experience across the full engineering lifecycle-from design trade and CAD through manufacturing, test, qualification, production, and flight/operations.
  • Experience performing risk assessments or supporting timely closure of root-cause investigations
  • Analytical/scientific programming experience (Python, Matlab, etc.)
  • Experience using Siemens NX (Unigraphics) and ANSYS preferred, Fluent or other comparable CFD package also desirable
  • Comfortable briefing senior leadership and external customers on technical risk and hardware status
  • Ability to work well in a collaborative team environment including daily interactions with technicians, engineers, and managers
  • Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with both internal and external customers

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:
  • Ability to travel in support of testing, launching, and maintenance of engine hardware (up to 10%)
  • Ability to pass Air Force background checks for Cape Canaveral and Vandenberg
  • Willingness to work extended hours and weekends when production, test, or launch timelines require it

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS:
Pay Range:
Level 1: $100,000.00 - $117,500.00
Level 2: $115,000.00 - $140,000.00
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 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.
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. § 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 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.

What SpaceX employees say

Pay

Benefits

Hours and flexibility

Workplace

Get the full story on Breakroom

SpaceX logo

About SpaceX

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Industry

Aerospace product and parts manufacturing, data services, guided missile and space vehicle manufacturing and satellite telecommunications

Company size

1,001 - 5,000 Employees

Headquarters location

Hawthorne, CA, US

View All SpaceX Jobs

Apply