SOFTWARE ENGINEER

We are looking for a software engineer who will work at the Texas Rocket Development Facility in Central Texas, as part of the Test Software team. This team designs, develops, tests, and maintains software used for test stand data acquisition and control, data post-processing, and other engineering software needs. The team works closely with test engineers, electrical engineers, other flight and ground software teams, and information technologies to rapidly deploy high-performance software catering to unique test engineering requirements. This role is highly multi-disciplinary, will work in a variety of software languages, and will work closely with hardware. Your software will control rocket tests every day. Aerospace experience is not required to be successful here - rather, we look for smart, motivated, collaborative engineers who love solving problems and want to make an impact on a super-inspiring mission.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Architect and develop software and systems for
• Data acquisition and control for test stands
• Data storage and analysis
• Automation of engineering and business functions
• Collaborate with electrical engineers, test engineers, and IT to develop computing and network solutions for test stand data and control needs
• Support active operations when software issues are encountered
• Own all aspects of software development, including design, testing, and test stand integration
• Provide strong technical leadership, focus on continuous improvement, and training

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor's degree in computer science, engineering, math, or other science discipline
• 1+ years of experience in software development (internship experience qualifies)

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:

• Experience with National Instruments hardware (cDAQ, cRIO, PXI) and software (LabVIEW)
• Proven skills and knowledge with C++, Python, or other text-based programming languages
• Proven experience in architecting, managing, and integrating large distributed systems
• Strong communication/mentorship skills and experience in technical leadership
• Examples of working directly with customers to gather requirements
• Experience with network communication
• Strong skills in debugging, performance optimization, and unit testing
• Creative approach to problem solving
• Ability to work effectively in a dynamic environment with changing needs and requirements
• Ability to work independently and in a team, take initiative, and communicate effectively

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

• This is not a remote or hybrid position and will require all work to be completed in the office
• Must be available to work extended hours, weekends, and shifts, which vary depending on site operational needs; flexibility required

APPRENTICE WELD SUPPORT TECHNICIAN

We are currently seeking to fill a weld support technician position at our Texas Test Site. This position requires skills in a specialized trade in order to complete welding requirements and operational needs. The position is responsible for executing the activities of the weld support team (plasma programming/operating, saw, material movements in and around the shop, and cross-training across these functions).

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Perform tasks such as: plasma table programming, operating a band saw and chop saw, manually drilling and milling materials, etc.
• Analyze engineering drawings to determine dimensions and tolerances of cut parts
• Obtain and maintain licenses, operator permits, or certifications as required
• Make a continuous effort to improve operations, decrease turnaround times, streamline work processes, and work cooperatively and jointly
• Work with leaders to complete the assignment/project, solve problems, meet deadlines, and review issues for consistent improvement
• Perform other related duties, as assigned, to ensure an efficient and effective work environment

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:

• Associate’s degree or certification from a 2-year technical school
• Experience with hand tools and blueprint reading (experience gained through a 2-year college or technical program counts)

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:

• 1+ years of experience with plasma table programming/operating
• Ability to use measuring instruments of all types
• Experience working in cutting or machining operations
• Experience in a high-mix, low-volume (job shop) manufacturing environment
• Knowledge of standard tools, materials, motions, and practices of the welding trade
• Knowledge of occupational hazards and effective safety precautions of the trade
• Ability to rapidly change focus while working in a high-paced, challenging work environment

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Working conditions may be in tight quarters; physical dexterity is required
• Ability to work while standing up to 8 hours, kneeling, crouching, twisting the upper body, working in cramped positions in small openings, and climbing hand over hand
• Able to lift heavy objects up to 45 lbs unassisted
• Ability to work on ladders, lifts, and at elevated heights (up to 300 feet) with proper personal protection equipment (PPE)
• Able to respond to emergencies to support priority projects, missions, and launches
• Available to work extended hours and weekends as needed
• Able to work in extreme outdoor environments when needed – heat, cold, wind, rain, etc.
• Able to work in an environment requiring exposure to fumes, odors, and noise
• Ability and willingness to travel nationally for up to four weeks – travel will be less than 15%

WELD SUPPORT TECHNICIAN

We are currently seeking to fill a weld support technician position at our Texas Test Site. This position requires skills in a specialized trade in order to complete welding requirements and operational needs. The position is responsible for executing the activities of the weld support team (plasma programming/operating, saw, material movements in and around the shop, and cross-training across these functions).

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Perform tasks such as: plasma table programming, operating a band saw and chop saw, manually drilling and milling materials, etc.
• Analyze engineering drawings to determine dimensions and tolerances of cut parts
• Obtain and maintain licenses, operator permits, or certifications as required
• Make a continuous effort to improve operations, decrease turnaround times, streamline work processes, and work cooperatively and jointly
• Work with leaders to complete the assignment/project, solve problems, meet deadlines, and review issues for consistent improvement
• Perform other related duties, as assigned, to ensure an efficient and effective work environment

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:

• High school diploma or equivalency certificate
• 2+ years of experience with hand tools, band saws, or torch cutting in a construction, industrial, or manufacturing environment

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:

• 1+ years of experience with plasma table programming/operating
• Ability to use measuring instruments of all types
• Experience working in cutting or machining operations
• Experience in a high-mix, low-volume (job shop) manufacturing environment
• Knowledge of standard tools, materials, motions, and practices of the welding trade
• Knowledge of occupational hazards and effective safety precautions of the trade
• Ability to rapidly change focus while working in a high-paced, challenging work environment

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Working conditions may be in tight quarters; physical dexterity is required
• Ability to work while standing up to 8 hours, kneeling, crouching, twisting the upper body, working in cramped positions in small openings, and climbing hand over hand
• Able to lift heavy objects up to 45 lbs unassisted
• Ability to work on ladders, lifts, and at elevated heights (up to 300 feet) with proper personal protection equipment (PPE)
• Able to respond to emergencies to support priority projects, missions, and launches
• Available to work extended hours and weekends as needed
• Able to work in extreme outdoor environments when needed – heat, cold, wind, rain, etc.
• Able to work in an environment requiring exposure to fumes, odors, and noise
• Ability and willingness to travel nationally for up to four weeks – travel will be less than 15%

SUPPORT TECHNICIAN (STARSHIP) – TEMPORARY

Support Technicians will assist Starship and Super Heavy production operations at the SpaceX South Texas build site in Starbase, TX. Under the guidance of experienced production teams, you'll contribute to workspace organization and process improvements in fast-paced, high-reliability environments. Successful participants may convert to full-time roles, joining an elite crew to drive efficient production of groundbreaking spacecraft.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Support tasks associated with tube bending (bend, weld, inspection), support tasks include but are not limited to: cutting, trimming and flaring
• Use hand tools and machine tools to produce accurate cut to length tubes with subsequent facing operations
• Support the tube bender with accurate CMM Inspection scans and feedback on CNC program correction data gathering
• Perform labelling and organization of raw stock and bent/formed tubes, inclusive of moving tubing to next station/operations or to customer
• Identify preventative measures to eliminate sources of FOD
• Conduct thorough cleaning and inspection of SpaceX parts to ensure compliance with cleanliness requirements
• Utilize specialized cleaning techniques and equipment to maintain high standards of cleanliness
• Document cleaning procedures and results, ensuring traceability and compliance with regulatory standards
• Support the Inspection team with part labelling and material inspection requirements
• Perform regular audits of manufacturing area and processes to suggest improvements
• Identify preventative measures to eliminate sources of FOD

POSITION DETAILS:

This is a position with SpaceX, for the length of time as stated, and is subject to change with minimal notice as business needs dictate.

• LENGTH OF POSITION: 3 months
• LOCATION: Starbase, TX
• SHIFT: Must be available for all shifts (day shift, 6 AM - 6 PM or night shift, 6 PM - 6 AM), overtime and weekends as the schedule varies depending on site operational needs; flexibility is required

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:

• High school diploma or equivalency certificate
• 1+ years of hands-on experience in a professional setting

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:

• 1+ years of experience working in high pace manufacturing industries
• Ability to identify and implement efficient paths of action to finish the assigned work
• Ability to exercise independent judgment
• Ability to read and understand technical specifications, instructions, or documentation
• Ability to use precision measuring instruments

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Ability to lift 25lbs (unassisted)
• Lifting, standing, climbing, bending, grasping, sitting, pulling, pushing, stooping, stretching, and carrying are generally required to perform the functions of this position
• Must be able to work at elevated heights (up to 300 feet), including the use of ladders
• Must be able to work in confined spaces
• Work performed in an environment requiring exposure to fumes, odors, and noise
• Must be available for overtime and weekends as the schedule varies depending on site operational needs; flexibility is required

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 to perform other related duties for the purpose of ensuring an efficient and effective work environment
• Availability to respond to emergencies to support priority projects, missions, and launches
• Availability to work extended hours and weekends as needed; flexibility is required
• Ability to perform job duties that require standing, kneeling, crouching, twisting the upper body, working in cramped positions in small openings, and climbing hand over hand
• Ability to lift heavy objects unassisted—up to 25 lbs.
• Ability to work at elevated heights with proper PPE—up to 300 ft.
• Ability to work in extreme outdoor environments when needed—heat, cold, wind, rain, etc.
• Ability to work in environments with exposure to fumes, odors, and noise
• Working conditions may be in tight quarters; physical dexterity is required