Electric Propulsion Engineer, Mechanical - (Starlink)

SpaceX

Quick summary

Work type
On-site
Location
Redmond, WA
Salary
$100,000–$120,000 / yr
Posted
today

Market check

Salary context

Below market

How this pay compares to similar roles

Similar $152k
This role $110k
$91k most similar roles pay here $180k

This role pays less than 84% of similar roles. Most pay $133,750–$170,000 — the shaded band above. At the midpoint, this role pays about $110k versus about $152k for comparable roles.

Based on 238 similar postings.

Employer

About SpaceX

SpaceX designs, manufactures, and launches advanced rockets and spacecraft with the mission of enabling humans to become a multi-planetary species. It operates the Falcon 9, Falcon Heavy, and Starship launch vehicles, as well as the Starlink satellite internet constellation.

SpaceX currently has 604 open roles on FindRole.

Listed pay typically runs $130,000–$155,000 across 440 roles with salary data.

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View all roles at SpaceX

At a glance

TL;DR · Electric Propulsion Engineer, Mechanical - (Starlink)

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As a mechanical engineer at the Starlink electric propulsion team, you will oversee the end-to-end lifecycle of critical satellite hardware, from design and analysis to on-orbit performance. You’ll collaborate with plasma physics experts, avionics engineers, and electrical engineers to develop advanced propulsion systems including thrusters, cathodes, regulators, and fluid feed systems. Your daily tasks include solving complex mechanical, thermal, magnetic, and fluid system problems, conducting vacuum chamber tests, and performing environmental validations. Ideal candidates have hands-on experience with electric or chemical propulsion systems and proficiency in CAD design, manufacturing processes like CNC milling, welding, and additive manufacturing, as well as expertise in finite element analysis and GD&T concepts. Familiarity with Python, MATLAB, SQL, and Metabase is also beneficial.

Skills

Python MATLAB SQL Metabase CAD DFMA GD&T CNC Welding Additive Manufacturing Finite Element Analysis Fluid Dynamics Structural Analysis Electromagnetic Analysis

What you'll do

  • Solve complex mechanical, thermal, magnetic, and fluid system problems on space-grade hardware.
  • Perform vacuum chamber tests, performance characterization, and environmental tests to validate analysis.
  • Own product delivery timeline from conception through launch and on-orbit performance of propulsion hardware.
  • Work cross-functionally with plasma physics experts, avionics engineers, and electrical engineers.
  • Conduct root cause investigations for failures and disposition non-conformances in hardware.

What we're looking for

  • Hands-on experience designing, building, and testing electric or chemical propulsion systems.
  • Ownership of full product life cycle from design to on-orbit performance.
  • Experience with fluid dynamics, finite element analysis, and related modeling tools.
  • Proficiency in manufacturing processes including CNC milling, welding, casting, and additive methods.
  • Strong GD&T concepts knowledge and experience leading critical mechanical designs.

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