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.

HARNESS DESIGN ENGINEER (STARSHIP AVIONICS)

Starship Avionics is responsible for producing an avionics system minimizing vehicle cost and mass while providing electrical sensing, actuation, and control for flying the vehicle. Avionics includes RF communication, navigation sensors, electrical actuators, video systems, propulsion sensors, and energy storage. This role collaborates within a team shared with build engineers owning vehicle assembly and systems engineers designing electrical system and vehicle operations. Team mission is to develop highly producible mechanical designs and packaging solutions that protect electronics from the harsh mechanical and thermal environments of launch vehicle operations. 

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Design harness routes, protection, and supports
• Thermal, structural, and tolerance analysis for electro-mechanical assemblies using both hand calculations and finite element analysis
• Drive initial mechanical design, 3D modeling, creation of production drawings, and harness formboards
• Failure analysis of components as it relates to thermal, loads, vibration and shock
• Interface with machine shops and production teams to ensure final designs can be manufactured quickly at low cost
• Own the hardware delivery timeline and success through inception, design, assembly, test, and integration
• Minimize mass and cost of harnessing while delivering parts to the production line to meet vehicle build schedule

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor's degree in mechanical, aerospace engineering, or similar engineering field
• 1+ years of experience with mechanical or electromechanical design. This can include professional experience, internships, and student projects

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:

• Self-motivated with strong organizational, written, and oral communication skills
• Experience with harness routing in CAD software packages
• Demonstrated designing for high volume production and high vibration environments
• Demonstrated understanding of structural analysis and failure modes
• Working knowledge of thermal and structural FEA studies
• Solid understanding and application of GD&T

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Extended hours and weekend work may be required to support critical project and mission milestones

ITAR REQUIREMENTS:

• To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) you must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the U.S., protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or 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.