Space Operations Flight Surgeon

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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.

SPACE OPERATIONS FLIGHT SURGEON

SpaceX is expanding the world’s human spaceflight capability, revolutionizing human spaceflight operations, and expanding the access to human space research. The space medicine team is responsible for developing the concept of operations, medical system, research and monitoring protocols, and technology necessary to ensure the safety and health of the crewmembers that fly on SpaceX missions. As a Flight Surgeon, you will collaborate with the larger medical team to develop Starship medical operations, interface with NASA, support operations, provide medical input to engineers, and author medical requirements for our various vehicles and systems. You will work collaboratively with an interdisciplinary team of engineers, specialists, and SpaceX customers to develop medical capabilities and execute missions. SpaceX is looking for excellent doctors who can adapt to a rapidly changing environment and future.

This role is flexible and we are open to full-time, part-time, and semi-remote candidates.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

  • Serve as a point of contact with NASA for medical discussions
  • Support all crew medical operations, including screening, console operations in mission control, training, launch and recovery
  • Serve as an aerospace medicine technical expert for human spaceflight activities
  • Develop and maintain a continuous aerospace medicine training curriculum and lead internal educational opportunities
  • Develop and coordinate aerospace medicine flight operations with technical, operations, and programmatic parties
  • Support and develop medical research projects
  • Support execution of the pre-launch crew health stabilization plan
  • Support research and development of future human spaceflight missions focusing on health and medical aspects for long-duration spaceflight

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:

  • Medical degree such as an MD or DO
  • Completion of medical residency training
  • 2+ years of practical medical or medical research experience with NASA, ISS or other human spaceflight program
  • Prior academic or professional working experience with aerospace medicine topics such as life support systems and hyperbaric/hypobaric operations

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:

  • Currently practicing in a clinical specialty involving high acuity dynamic medicine, such as emergency medicine, general surgery, anesthesiology, critical care, trauma, or general surgery
  • Hold an unrestricted medical license from their state of residence and are in good standing
  • Technical knowledge of spacecraft systems and operations (e.g. orbital mechanics, avionics, propulsion, thermal control, life support systems)
  • Demonstrated ability to work with interdisciplinary teams to solve complex problems
  • Able to effectively lead multiple projects and tasks simultaneously, while meeting aggressive deadlines
  • Excellent organizational and communication skills, as well as technical writing proficiency

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

  • Regardless of working arrangement (full-time, part-time, or semi-remote), you will be required to work in-person at our Hawthorne, CA headquarters ~1 week/month and must be available full-time (~50 hours per week) for all operational mission needs (typically beginning 2 weeks before launch and 3-4 days for astronaut recovery).
  • Must retain clinical proficiency by supporting a minimum of 1 medical shift per week
  • Schedule flexibility is mandatory; long hours, remote site and weekend work may be necessary in support of mission operations and other team critical deliverables
  • Training or willingness to undergo helicopter emergency egress training 
  • Position is subject to 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.