Power Plant Engineer

Starbase, TX

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.

POWER PLANT ENGINEER

SpaceX is building and operating combined-cycle gas turbine power plants that must come online, stay online, and perform. This role owns the design and build of the full power plant: gas turbines, mechanical and electrical balance of plant, and everything else that keeps the plant running at rated output, day after day. This is not a desk job. You will be constructing the power plant, owning commissioning in the control room during startup, and in the field troubleshooting.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

  • Support the full lifecycle of gas turbine power generation assets — installation, commissioning, startup, operations, and long-term maintenance
  • Lead or support commissioning activities including combustion tuning, control system checkout, protective relay testing, and performance/reliability run verification
  • Own root-cause analysis and corrective action for turbine trips, forced outages, and performance degradation; drive fixes that prevent recurrence
  • Develop and refine operating procedures, startup/shutdown sequences, and abnormal operating condition playbooks
  • Interface directly with OEMs (GE, Siemens Energy, Mitsubishi Power, Doosan) on warranty issues, LTSA scope, outage planning, and technical issues
  • Plan and execute major/minor inspections, hot gas path outages, and combustion inspections in line with OEM maintenance intervals
  • Analyze turbine performance data (heat rate, capacity factor, degradation curves) to identify efficiency losses and recommend corrective action
  • Coordinate with balance-of-plant teams (HRSG, steam turbine, cooling systems, water treatment) to ensure integrated performance
  • Build and maintain relationships with EPC contractors during construction handoff to ensure a clean transition from construction to commercial operation
  • Develop spare parts strategy, critical spares inventory, and maintenance budgets

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:

  • Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a related engineering discipline
  • 2+ years of hands-on experience with utility-scale gas turbines in commissioning, operations, or maintenance roles

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCES:

  • Working knowledge of combined-cycle plant systems: gas turbines, HRSGs, steam turbines, generators, and balance-of-plant equipment
  • Experience reading and interpreting P&IDs, single-line diagrams, and turbine control logic
  • Direct commissioning experience with GE 7/9HA, Siemens Energy SGT6/8-8000H, Mitsubishi M501/701JAC, or Doosan H-class turbines
  • Experience with DCS/turbine control platforms (Mark VIe, SPPA-T3000, or equivalent)
  • Familiarity with LTSA structures, OEM contract negotiation, and outage scope development
  • Background in root-cause failure analysis (RCA/5-Why/Fishbone) for rotating equipment
  • Experience with performance monitoring tools and heat balance modeling
  • Exposure to grid interconnection requirements, PPA performance obligations, or capacity market rules
  • Experience integrating power generation with co-located industrial or data center loads
  • A bias toward action: comfortable making a call in the field without waiting for a committee
  • Demonstrated ability to work under pressure during startup, outages, or unplanned events, with a sense of urgency and ownership over outcomes
  • Experience using SOLIDWORKS, Siemens NX, or similar CAD software
  • Knowledge of engineering standards and best practices such as ASME B31.3, ASME BPV Code Section VIII, and AFSPCMAN 91-710

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

  • Schedule varies depending on site operational needs; must be willing to work extended hours and/or weekends as business needs require
  • Flexibility to travel to other SpaceX sites
  • 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
  • Typically exposed to work in outdoor environments – heat, cold, rain
  • Stand: Up to 3 hours per day
  • Sit: Up to 6 hours per day
  • Push/Pull: Up to 50lbs. (unassisted) Up to 15 minutes per day
  • Overhead reach: Up to 3 hours per day
  • Walk: Up to 3 hours per day
  • Lift/Carry: Up to 25lbs. (unassisted) Up to 15 minutes per day
  • Climb (ladder/stairs): Up to 1 hour per day
  • Kneel/Crouch: N/A
  • Upper body twist: N/A
  • Ability to work in temperatures over 80 degrees: up to 30 minutes per day
  • Candidate must be capable of safely working at heights (up to 500ft), in confined spaces, using an air purifying respirator, and performing the physical requirements of the job listed in the job description. Candidate may be required to complete a pre-employment questionnaire and/or physical to confirm these capabilities, which may include a medical history review.

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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