Droneship Engineer, Recovery Operations (Falcon)

Cape Canaveral, FL

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.

DRONESHIP ENGINEER, RECOVERY OPERATIONS (FALCON)

RESPONSIBILITIES:

  • Own droneship subsystems, with a focus on automations and controls, mission readiness, improvements, and the dispositioning of non-conformances to help SpaceX execute on a triple-digit Falcon 9 manifest
  • Work with a staff of engineers, specialists, and technicians to achieve the overall success of the Falcon 9 Recovery program
  • Provide extreme ownership over SpaceX’s fleet of recovery vessels
  • Provide technical and strategic guidance to other engineers, specialists, and technicians on the team
  • Manufacture, build, install, and activate droneship and space support vessel recovery systems – mechanical, fluid and electrical systems
  • Optimize, coordinate, and troubleshoot offshore operations remotely with supporting engineering teams and a skilled technician workforce
  • Develop automation for SpaceX’s drone ships aimed at facilitating airport-like recovery operations in an open, collaborative atmosphere
  • Identify and propose potential upgrades to recovery hardware, software, and procedures – drive continuous improvement in these areas by interfacing regularly with various teams across SpaceX
  • Work closely with Falcon 9 Guidance, Navigation & Control (GNC), Avionics, and Stage responsible engineers on a per-mission basis to ensure the launch vehicle and recovery assets are configured correctly
  • Contribute to system and procedural development of next generation autonomous vessels and maritime operations

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:

  • Bachelor’s degree in an engineering discipline
  • 2+ years of experience building, maintaining, modifying, or operating electrical/mechanical/fluids ground support equipment

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:

  • Proficiency in the troubleshooting of Programmable Logic Controllers (PLCs), Human-Machine Interfaces (HMIs), industrial control circuits, and communication protocols
  • Masters degree in an engineering discipline
  • Capable with Siemens and/or Beckhoff automation hardware and software
  • Proficiency in the design of Programmable Logic Controllers (PLCs), Human-Machine Interfaces (HMIs), industrial control circuits, and communication protocols
  • Familiarity with instrumentation and control components (pressure transducers, thermocouples, RTDs, strain gauges, accelerometers, flow meters, load cells, relays, solenoids, pneumatic valves)
  • Experience in control and monitoring of complex automated systems and risk assessment/reduction of the system
  • Strong work ethic and drive to succeed balanced with the ability to work effectively in a team environment
  • Able to work in a fast paced, autonomously driven and demanding atmosphere
  • Strong project management skills

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

  • Ability to pass Air Force background check for Cape Canaveral
  • Flight hardware typically is built in tight quarters and physical dexterity is required
  • Ability to perform job duties that require standing, kneeling, crouching, twisting upper body, working in cramped positions in small openings and climbing hand over hand
  • May be exposed to work in extreme outdoor environments – heat, cold, rain
  • Schedule varies depending on site operational needs; flexibility required
  • Occasional travel to other SpaceX sites, as needed; ~5%

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 reach out to EEOCompliance@spacex.com. 

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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 ITAR here.

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