SpaceX was founded on 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.  

PRINCIPAL SATELLITE ENGINEER

As a principal satellite engineer, you will lead implementation and test for spacecraft systems in support of our diverse customer opportunities. You will be part of the larger Spacecraft Engineering organization and interact with all engineering disciplines to resolve new engineering issues as they arise. 

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Lead implementation and test for spacecraft subsystems
• Evaluate and make material selection determinations for optimal performance
• Participate in satellite missions to help navigate complex vehicle trades
• Optimize satellite designs to best serve customer-specific needs
• Provide engineering updates on satellite development efforts to customers at meetings, major reviews, and as otherwise required
• Autonomously keep a pulse on emergent risks to reliability and schedule, and surface concerns to leadership
• Report overall program status and critical path items to management in order to drive company decisions

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s degree in an engineering discipline
• Engineering leadership experience
• 7+ years of engineering experience working with spacecraft and national security or scientific research missions
• Active TS or TS/SCI security clearance

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:

• Experience with interdisciplinary spacecraft development engineering projects with a track record of success
• Technical interface experience with customers on satellite programs
• Hardware and operational development experience on spacecraft systems

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Travel to vendor sites may be required
• Travel to launch and test sites may be required
• Ability to pass Air Force background checks for Cape Canaveral and Vandenberg
• Note that an active clearance may provide the opportunity for you to work on sensitive SpaceX missions; if so, you will be subject to pre-employment drug and random drug and alcohol testing

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.