Principal Mechanical Engineer (Starship)

• →Troubleshooting and maintenance: Investigate and resolve technical issues related to crane operation and maintenance, and provide recommendations for improvements. 
• →Continuous improvement: Identify opportunities for innovation and improvement in crane design, operation, and maintenance processes.
• →Product testing: Plan and conduct testing and validation of new crane designs and modifications to ensure compliance with safety and performance standards.
• →Technical support: Provide technical expertise and guidance to internal and external stakeholders on crane design, operation, and maintenance.
• →Project management: Lead or contribute to crane engineering projects from concept to completion, ensuring adherence to budget and schedule.
• →Compliance and standards: Stay informed about industry standards, codes, and regulations related to cranes and ensure that designs and operations comply with relevant requirements.
• →Documentation: Prepare technical reports, specifications, and documentation related to crane design, testing, and maintenance activities. 

• Bachelor's degree in engineering and 8+ years of professional experience
• 7+ years of experience leading teams to produce engineering products

• Master’s degree in aerospace engineering or relevant engineering discipline
• Professional experience working with launch vehicles, space vehicles, command and control systems, and/or ground/space sensor systems
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with direct experience negotiating technical deliverables or scope
• Significant experience leading cross-functional teams and working with external customers and systems engineering and technical assistance (SETA) representatives
• Significant experience leading and performing quantitative system of systems architecture trades and development
• Experience working with government or commercial spacecraft entities
• Highly detail oriented, diligent, and hardworking
• Passion for advancing the commercial space industry
• Ability to work in a fast-paced, autonomously driven, and demanding start-up atmosphere

• Must be available to work extended hours and/or weekends as needed to support critical milestones or operations shifts
• Ability to pass Air Force background checks for Cape Canaveral and Vandenberg
• Must be willing to travel to other SpaceX offices and customer locations as needed, up to 25%

• 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.