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 ENGINEER
The SpaceX operations team is revolutionizing spaceflight operations for our current and future missions: Cargo and Crew Dragon, private astronaut flights, and interplanetary exploration. The team is responsible for all facets of the safe and efficient delivery of astronauts and cargo in space. The operations development team for Crew Starship is laying the groundwork for these future missions by defining the mission and crew concepts of operation and establishing a 21st-century infrastructure to support the development and execution of these missions to the moon and beyond.
In this particular role, you will develop a deep understanding of both the mission operations and the underlying hardware and IT systems required to support these operations. You will own the equipment that interfaces with NASA command, telemetry, voice, and video systems for both Dragon and Starship.
Your contributions will help SpaceX successfully execute human spaceflight missions, and to achieve our goal of making life interplanetary.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Develop designs and operations, own requirements, create schedules, and manage the NASA-SpaceX ground data interfaces and network architecture
- Partner with internal SpaceX teams including IT, InfoSec, Avionics, Flight Software and NASA to coordinate the development, activation, testing, and maintenance of mission systems
- Define and establish the ground operations data interfaces required for successful and efficient real-time operations across SpaceX and NASA mission control teams
- Own the SpaceX Partner Interface Racks (PIR) that are deployed at NASA sites
- Support operations and content development for Crew Starship
- Become an on-console mission control operator to support human and cargo spaceflight missions
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:
- Bachelor’s degree in an engineering or science discipline
- 1+ years of operations experience with spacecraft, ground stations, IT/networks, or other communication systems
- 1+ years of project or industry experience with RF, controls, spacecraft, IT/networks, and/or communications systems
PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:
- Master's degree in a technical discipline
- Experience in a customer-facing role, preferably with NASA
- Experience with spacecraft/aircraft engineering or operations
- Experience writing software in a professional environment
- Experience owning requirements for large projects that span multiple organizations
- Experience with enterprise-class servers and computer networking
- Excellent organizational and interpersonal skills
- Clear verbal and written technical communication skills
- Capacity to balance conflicting opinions and manage expectations between multiple teams and customers
- Able to quickly adapt and change course in a fast-paced environment
- Insatiable hunger for continuous improvement and self-motivated to challenge the status quo
ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:
- Must be willing to travel as needed (approximately 10% of time)
- Must be willing to work long hours and weekends to support mission operations and critical project timelines
COMPENSATION & BENEFITS:
Pay range:
Space Operations Engineer/Level I: $95,000.00 - $115,000.00/per year
Space Operations Engineer/Level II: $110,000.00 - $130,000.00/per year
Your actual level and base salary will be determined on a case-by-case basis and may vary based on the following considerations: job-related knowledge and skills, education, and experience.
Base salary is just one part of your total rewards package at SpaceX. You may also be eligible for long-term incentives, in the form of company stock, stock options, or long-term cash awards, as well as potential discretionary bonuses and the ability to purchase additional stock at a discount through an Employee Stock Purchase Plan. You will also receive access to comprehensive medical, vision, and dental coverage, access to a 401(k) retirement plan, short & long-term disability insurance, life insurance, paid parental leave, and various other discounts and perks. You may also accrue 3 weeks of paid vacation & will be eligible for 10 or more paid holidays per year. Exempt employees are eligible for 5 days of sick leave per year.
ITAR REQUIREMENTS:
- To conform to U.S. Government export regulations, applicant must be a (i) U.S. citizen or national, (ii) U.S. lawful, permanent resident (aka green card holder), (iii) Refugee under 8 U.S.C. § 1157, or (iv) Asylee under 8 U.S.C. § 1158, or be 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.
