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.
MECHANICAL ENGINEER, BATTERIES
Our aim is to design, manufacture, and launch the highest performance, lowest cost, and fundamentally safest batteries in the aerospace industry. We’re looking for the right person to improve the highest-volume satellite battery manufacturing line in the world and implement new production technologies for next-generation batteries. This role is embedded within design engineering, under the power systems engineering group, and focuses on battery manufacturing and test.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Lead the engineering support of the existing production line. Improve process control, manufacturing flow, tooling, acceptance testing, and inventory to improve yield and cycle time
- Troubleshoot and disposition production issues on an aggressive schedule. Drive failure analysis to identify root cause of issues and implement preventative actions
- Develop new proof-of-concept manufacturing processes, tooling, controls, and verifications. Specify equipment, coordinate with suppliers, and demonstrate process capabilities through qualification testing
- Incorporate new processes and tooling into a next-generation battery production line. Coordinate the production cut-in of new manufacturing techniques. Introduce robotics and automation as justified by cost and quality
- Define and, where necessary, design tooling and fixtures for use in the manufacture, integration and test of batteries
- Update and validate designs in response to manufacturing optimization, parts obsolescence, and requirements changes
- Create and maintain manufacturing requirement documents, drawings, specifications, and instructions
- Write, design, and execute test procedures including production acceptance testing, qualification testing, and life testing and destructive testing
- Lead hardware validation activities. This includes the development of vacuum chambers, thermal control systems, and battery cycling equipment, fatigue testers, and destructive tests
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:
- Bachelor's degree in mechanical or manufacturing engineering
- 1+ years of engineering design experience (internship or extracurricular project experience qualifies)
PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:
- Demonstrated analytical problem-solving skills
- Experience with battery design, manufacturing, and test
- Experience using NX (Unigraphics) and Teamcenter
- Experience with design considerations for spaceflight
- Experience with design of experiments, statistical process control, and process qualification
- Experience in one or more programming languages (Python, Matlab, etc.)
- Proficiency in GD&T
- Familiarity with circuit diagrams
- Familiarity with stress, dynamic and thermal analysis
- Familiarity with a wide variety of manufacturing processes and automation for composites, soft goods and metals: welding, brazing, fastening, riveting, bonding, lamination, soldering etc.
ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:
- Willing to work extended hours and weekends as necessary
- Some travel required
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.