Space Operations Engineer (Ground Operator Training)

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 (GROUND OPERATOR TRAINING)

SpaceX Operations Engineers are dedicated to the innovation of spaceflight operations. The Training team is responsible for training all operators who control and monitor the Dragon fleet and the United States Deorbit Vehicle. We train the Dragon real-time operations teams to remotely fly spacecraft to the International Space Station and safely back to Earth, as well as remotely operate private passenger missions to Low Earth Orbit and beyond.

As a Ground Operator Training Engineer you will become a SpaceX spacecraft operator, prepare teams of operators to safely execute human and cargo spaceflight missions, develop new training material for novel missions, and drive the creation of a 21st-century spaceflight operations training paradigm. The team’s mission is to innovate how humans are certified for spaceflight, and our goal is to efficiently prepare humans to safely operate space vehicles. If you are driven to fly spacecraft and train others to fly spacecraft, then come join us in expanding humanity’s reach to the stars.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Develop and conduct operator qualification and certification training for Dragon missions
• Create training content, develop training plans, and provide instruction to mission control operators
• Become an on-console mission control operator to support human and cargo spaceflight missions
• Plan, schedule, and execute training events and simulations with SpaceX, NASA, and customer teams
• Script, test, and deploy simulation software components to ensure a high-fidelity training experience
• Develop and maintain the simulation environment (servers, applications, and automation)
• Challenge requirements and reshape training workflows to create efficient operator training processes
• Develop subject matter expertise in spacecraft systems and clearly communicate technical concepts to a wide audience

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s degree in an engineering or science discipline
• 1+ years of experience either providing technical training to people who must apply it in a critical environment, or working in real-time operations on a system with a high consequence of failure (for example, as a pilot, flight or test engineer, spacecraft operator, or high-performance automotive engineer)
• 1+ years of programming experience in Python, JavaScript, Java, C, C++, or C#

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:

• Master's degree in a technical discipline
• Previous experience with spacecraft/aircraft engineering or operations
• Previous experience writing software in a professional environment
• Previous experience in a customer-facing role working with NASA
• 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

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Must be open to occasional travel to other SpaceX sites (California, Texas, and Florida)
• Must be willing to work long hours and weekends to support mission operations and critical project timelines

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 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 and long-term disability insurance, life insurance, paid parental leave, and various other discounts and perks. You may also accrue 3 weeks of paid vacation and will be eligible for 10 or more paid holidays per year. Employees accrue paid sick leave pursuant to Company policy which satisfies or exceeds the accrual, carryover, and use requirements of the law.

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.