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.

DRAGON RECOVERY ENGINEER, LONG BEACH

As a Dragon recovery engineer, you will be focused on Dragon recovery vessel mission readiness, personnel training, initial stages of vehicle refurbishment, and recovery mission execution. In this role, you will work with the team supporting shoreside and offshore operations to troubleshoot issues, plan repairs and maintenance, and verify mission readiness of mission specific recovery ground support equipment. You will be responsible for developing and improving concepts of operations for mission training and execution, equipment reliability, vehicle recovery and processing, writing test plans and procedures to improve recovery efficiency, and taking extreme ownership over the ground support equipment, Dragon recovery vessels, and recovering Dragon spacecraft capsules offshore.

This position will be based in Long Beach, California where a future Dragon recovery operation is being established. During the first year in this role you will be required to travel up to 40 percent to Cape Canaveral, Florida to train and support Dragon recovery missions. After the first year, travel will be reduced to approximately 30 days a year on recovery vessel missions at sea.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Work with a staff of engineers, specialists, and technicians to achieve overall success Dragon recovery program to include both crew and cargo missions
• Learn and improve Dragon recovery vehicle operations in the post recovery phase monitoring spacecraft system status and participating in refurbishment operations
• Support offshore operations in both the lead and individual roles during dragon missions
• Provide extreme ownership over SpaceX’s fleet of recovery vessels and associated recovery equipment, focusing on Ground Segment Equipment (telemetry and optical systems), network infrastructure, Ground Software, coding and automation
• Provide support for the operation, maintenance and design of shoreside ground support equipment, including hypergolic propellant processing facilities
• Provide technical and strategic guidance to other engineers, specialists and technicians on the team regarding electrical, fluid, network, PLC, optical, RF and telemetry, spacecraft, and network system
• Manufacture, build, install, activate, and modify Dragon recovery systems – mechanical, fluid and electrical systems
• Provide on-mission support in troubleshooting equipment at sea when necessary
• Hold informational briefings and communicate with external agencies, vendors and customers.
• Provide offshore engineering support during mission operations, including spending a week or more at sea
• Obtain FAA Part 107 UAS license and operate recovery drones

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor's degree in an engineering, information technology or science discipline
• 2+ years of experience developing, operating, and/or processing equipment in any combination of the following areas: marine, automotive, aerospace, manufacturing systems, data control systems, telemetry and RF systems, IT network systems, coding and auto sequences, vehicle control systems (previous internship/project experience can be considered)

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:

• 2+ years of hands-on experience building, maintaining, modifying, and operating ground support equipment
• Experience with hypergolic systems
• Experience planning, executing and improving operations involving more than 10 personnel and multiple independent teams
• Experience with hazardous chemical/material handling
• Experience with small boat handling in offshore conditions
• Experience with controlling spacecraft vehicles using Graphical User Interfaces (GUI) and controlling associated hardware
• Experience with Ground Software and Ground Segment equipment (RF and imagery hardware and software)
• Experience with network control and data systems
• Experience in writing test plans and test procedures for quality-controlled parts, systems, or operations
• Experience participating in and overseeing operational execution of written instructions
• Experience with complex, multi-disciplinary system assemblies
• Past work experience, internships, or projects related to aerospace vehicles/payloads, automotive, aircraft, or marine assemblies

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Ability to pass Air Force background checks for Cape Canaveral Space Force Base, Patrick Space Force Base, Kennedy Space Center, and Vandenberg Space Force Base
• Ability to obtain USCG Merchant Mariners Credential which includes drug testing, vision, and physical exam
• Ability to wear supplied air respirator
• Must be available for all shifts, extended hours, and/or weekends as needed
• Must be able to lift up to 25 lbs. unassisted
• Must be able to work outdoors and in maritime environments
• Must be able to support offshore operations, including working recovery missions at sea

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS:Pay range:Recovery Engineer/Level I: $95,000.00 - $115,000.00/per yearRecovery Engineer/Level II: $110,000.00 - $130,000.00/per yearYour 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. 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. § 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 notify the Human Resources Department at (310) 363-6000.