New Graduate Engineer, Mechanical

Location: McGregor, TX Department: Texas - Test Equipment Engineers

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.

NEW GRADUATE ENGINEER, MECHANICAL

The elite engineering team at our test facility in Central Texas (Waco, TX area) focuses on test operations for Raptor, Starship, Falcon, Dragon, and more. We are looking for engineers who focus on testing operations (test set-up, on-console running tests, data analysis, troubleshooting, etc.) as well as ground support equipment operations (design & build test stands, propellant disbursement, etc.). This is a fast-paced, hands-on, constantly evolving, real-as-it-gets engineering environment for the ambitious. Some engineering groups design, build, activate, modify, and maintain the fluid and mechanical systems that power, restrain, and measure the most powerful high-volume rocket engines in the world, while others specialize in the design and execution of unique tests for engines, components, and spacecraft on an accelerated schedule. From thousands of gallons per minute of cryogens to tens of pounds per second of high-pressure gas, we develop clever solutions to meet the needs of a demanding test program both today and in the future.

RESPONSIBILITIES

TEST OPERATIONS

Develop and execute tests at the engine and component level to evaluate hardware performance and survivability during the mission

Repeated ownership of test campaigns, including test plan creation, new system activation, test operations, data review, and test stand equipment design/fabrication

Provide daily directions and instructions to technicians to fabricate and integrate test articles and stand equipment

Develop and maintain test procedures, sequences, scripts, configuration files, and software

Operate and troubleshoot data acquisition and control systems, wiring, and instrumentation (DAQ systems are primarily National Instruments-based)

Operate and troubleshoot fluid and mechanical systems that include low to high-pressure gaseous working fluids and rocket propellants (including hypergols & cryogenics) as well as structural components and supporting infrastructure

Operate mechanical systems; these include test stand support structures, heat exchangers, vacuum pumps, tooling, and fluid components such as valves, reliefs, burst disks, tubing, etc.

Automate repetitive test operations to increase efficiency and safety

Develop innovative processes to increase testing capability and rates, while maintaining high rigor of safety

Identify and characterize system pitfalls and potential hazards, then work to resolve such anomalies by collaborating with design engineers on improvements for test stands and flight hardware

GROUND SUPPORT EQUIPMENT

Analyze, design, and build systems that support testing of fully integrated flight vehicles, individual rocket engines, and various rocket components

Drive cradle-to-grave ownership of engineering projects through design reviews, decision justifications, equipment procurement, and coordination/participation in the construction of your ideas

Work directly with skilled technicians to build your designs and fix real-world problems on the fly

Maintain a tight feedback loop with the test operations team to rapidly alter plans as necessary to meet tight testing deadlines critical to company success

Operate and troubleshoot equipment to achieve testing objectives, and apply lessons learned to iterate system designs for improved performance and maintenance

Evaluate complex engineering needs and arrive at solutions to seemingly impractical problems that support test programs and achieve company objectives

Take a hands-on approach to tackling rapidly emerging field projects that keep the company testing rocket engines and vehicles every single day

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS

Bachelor's degree in an engineering discipline or physics

1+ years of mechanical and/or fluids engineering experience via project team, research, internships, and/or professional experience

Graduating with a bachelor’s degree, master’s degree or PhD in 2026 or 2027

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE

Strong fundamental understanding and intuition for fluid, structural, or mechanical systems

Critical thinking and problem solving in stressful, dynamic situations

Positive responses and outcomes to challenges posed by short deadlines

Hands-on build—machining, welding, and other fabrication techniques are a plus

Creativity to imagine and design for reliability, efficiency, and maintainability from scratch

Driven approach to addressing challenges and opportunities—an enthusiastic, self-motivated, positive, can-do attitude

Determining the best solution among several options, often balancing cost/schedule/complexity

Acute attention to detail and ability to see interactions with related systems to avoid problems

Instrumentation and testing, data review and analysis, verification of models against reality

High-pressure or cryogenic fluid systems and components

Complex structural or mechanical systems and components

Design verification with simplified hand calculations and complex modeling—FEA or CFD is a plus

Production of fabrication drawings for parts to be machined or welded

Intermediate skill level using CAD—Siemens NX is a plus

ASME piping and pressure vessel design

Excellent written and verbal communication skills

3+ years of engineering design experience in an industrial setting or equivalent

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS

Ability to work both independently and as part of a team, take individual initiative, and communicate effectively with peers, leadership, and customers

Ability to rapidly change roles/responsibilities while maintaining a high sense of urgency in a fast-paced, challenging work environment

Willingness