Sr. Software Engineer, Propulsion Simulation & Data Analysis (Raptor)

SpaceX

Quick summary

Work type: On-site
Location: Hawthorne, CA
Salary: $165,000–$230,000 / yr
Posted: 4 days ago
Nearby: 99+ roles within 25 mi

Market check

Salary context

Above market

How this pay compares to similar roles

Similar $165k

This role $198k

$124k most similar roles pay here $241k

This role pays more than 77% of similar roles. Most pay $135,000–$194,687 — the shaded band above. At the midpoint, this role pays about $198k versus about $165k 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 608 open roles on FindRole.

Listed pay typically runs $130,000–$155,000 across 442 roles with salary data.

Most-posted roles

View all roles at SpaceX

At a glance

TL;DR · Sr. Software Engineer, Propulsion Simulation & Data Analysis (Raptor)

Apply Now Log in to save

As a Senior Software Engineer on the Raptor Systems Modeling and Control Team, you will work with advanced rocket engines to develop and maintain accurate physics-based models for simulations and data analysis. Your daily tasks include improving lumped-parameter thermofluid physics models, conducting engine cycle analysis, resolving anomalies through sparse instrumentation, and developing tools for performance variability understanding. You will also automate processes for predicting test and flight performances, collaborate on standardizing hardware and software practices, and ensure interoperability among existing tools. The role requires expertise in dynamical systems modeling, lumped parameter modeling, physics-informed neural networks, data-driven analysis, and experience with full stack web development using Angular or React for frontend and Python, C#, or Java for backend. This position involves working on high-scale simulations and real-world engineering problems to enhance the reliability of rocket engines used in critical missions.

Skills

Python C# .NET Java Angular React Docker CI/CD Unix-like operating systems version control lumped parameter modeling physics-informed neural networks data pipelines full stack web development database design frontend development backend development compressible and incompressible flow thermodynamics thermochemistry mechanics materials science

What you'll do

Maintain and improve the accuracy of the lumped-parameter thermofluid physics model for the Raptor engine.
Conduct engine cycle analysis to guide future-state design and thrust upgrades.
Resolve anomalies using sparse instrumentation data and detailed engine models.
Develop tools to understand and mitigate sources of performance variability in engines.
Automate processes for predicting test performance and generating flight predictions.
Enhance interoperability among existing tools and standardize practices across the company.

What we're looking for

5+ years of experience writing computer software
5+ years of experience with physics-based simulations of real dynamic systems
Experience with lumped parameter modeling and dynamical systems modeling
Proficiency in compressible and incompressible flow, thermodynamics, thermochemistry, mechanics, and materials
Strong data-driven analysis skills for complex systems and root cause inference from sparse measurements