Software Engineer, Propulsion Simulation & Data Analysis

SpaceX

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Quick summary

Work type
On-site
Location
Hawthorne, CA
Salary
$125,000–$150,000 / yr
Posted
144 days ago
Freshness
Confirmed live today

Market check

Salary context

Below market

How this pay compares to similar roles

Similar $170k
This role $138k
$116k $207k
below market most similar roles pay here above market

This role pays less than 78% of similar roles. Most pay $142,400–$198,312 — the blue band above. At the midpoint, this role pays about $138k versus about $170k for comparable roles.

Based on 240 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 851 open roles on FindRole.

Listed pay typically runs $130,000–$165,000 across 590 roles with salary data.

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At a glance

TL;DR · Software Engineer, Propulsion Simulation & Data Analysis

The Software Engineer, Propulsion Simulation & Data Analysis joins the Raptor Systems Modeling and Control Team to support the power-balance, optimal control, and calibration of advanced rocket engines. You will maintain and improve the accuracy of lumped-parameter thermofluid physics models, conduct engine cycle analysis to steer design upgrades, and perform anomaly resolution using sparse instrumentation. Key responsibilities include developing tools to understand performance variability, automating processes for flight performance predictions, and building data pipelines for high-dimensional datasets. The role requires proficiency in physics-based simulations, dynamical systems modeling, and data-driven analysis of complex systems. Candidates should possess skills in Python, C#/.NET, C++, or Java, along with experience in full-stack web development using Angular or React. You will solve critical engineering problems involving compressible flow, thermodynamics, and thermochemistry.

What does a Software Engineer earn in California?

Median $214500 from 1193 postings across 76 companies.

See salary data

What you'll do

  • Maintain and improve the accuracy of the Raptor engine's lumped-parameter thermofluid physics model.
  • Conduct engine cycle analysis to guide future engine design and thrust upgrades.
  • Perform anomaly resolution using the engine model and sparse instrumentation data.
  • Improve the Raptor engine representation for integrated vehicle simulations and flight Monte Carlo analysis.
  • Develop tools and portals to identify and improve engine performance variability and hardware design.
  • Automate software tools to predict test performance and generate flight performance predictions for GNC.
  • Build data pipelines for sanitizing, curating, and visualizing high-dimensional datasets.

What we're looking for

  • Bachelor's degree in computer science, engineering, or a STEM discipline.
  • 1+ year experience writing computer software.
  • 1+ year experience with physics-based simulations of real dynamic systems.
  • Must be a U.S. citizen, national, lawful permanent resident, refugee, asylee, or eligible for Department of State authorization.
  • Dynamical systems modeling (preferred).
  • Experience with lumped parameter modeling of physical systems (preferred).
  • Experience implementing physics-informed neural networks to solve real-world engineering problems (preferred).
  • Experience with Python, C#/.NET, C++ or Java code (preferred).

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