Sr. Propulsion Fluids Analyst (Raptor Chamber and Nozzle)

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.

SR. PROPULSION FLUIDS ANALYST, RAPTOR CHAMBER AND NOZZLE 

The Raptor Chamber and Nozzle team designs, analyzes, builds, and tests the Thrust Chamber Assembly (TCA) of the Raptor rocket engine for both the Sea Level and Vacuum variants of the engine, including the Nozzle Extension. The TCA interfaces with many other engine components, both upstream and downstream, while operating under extreme pressure and temperature conditions. Propulsion Fluid Analysts have the opportunity to develop innovative improvements to the TCA fluid circuit and take these designs from initial concept to flight.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Work with propulsion engineers on TCA and related subsystems, performing fluids, CFD, and thermal analysis to drive design decisions and provide verification that reliability and performance requirements are met
• Proactively anticipate and drive necessary analyses throughout engine component design cycles
• Take an extremely practical, hands-on approach to model validation/verification, ensuring that model predictions are tied firmly to reality and test data
• Ability to setup and solve a 1D fluid and thermal model
• Support performance analysis and troubleshooting of development and flight hardware
• Drive enhancements to the future-state Sea Level and Vacuum TCAs to enable improved vehicle performance – collaborating closely with other Raptor, Starship, and Booster analysts

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s degree in an engineering discipline
• 5+ years of professional experience in fluids, CFD, and thermal analysis

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:

• Master’s degree in an engineering discipline
• Experience with setup, execution, and post-processing using commercially available CFD programs (geometry, mesh generation, and model selection)
• Running steady-state and transient CFD simulations using ideal and real-fluid equations of state
• Experience with reacting flows and combustion modeling 
• Ability to create watertight parasolids for CFD using Siemens NX
• Familiar with CFD tools: StarCCM+, ANSYS CFX, or similar CFD software
• Experience with conjugate heat transfer simulations
• Strong fundamentals of compressible and incompressible fluid mechanics, and common fluids hand-calculations
• Experience with thermal and heat transfer modeling (using ANSYS or other)
• Strong fundamental understanding of engine cycles used in liquid bipropellant rocket engines
• Understanding of injector types used in liquid bipropellant rocket engines
• Proficient in MATLAB, Python, or similar software to automate or script tasks, and to post process data
• Ability to debug simulations and programs without having to involve customer technical support
• Familiar with common industry and NASA standards
• Ability to perform trade studies using first principles and engineering fundamentals to make clear recommendations even with partial information
• Able to work well in an integrated collaborative team environment, including frequent interactions with technicians, other engineers, and senior management
• Highly self-motivated with strong organizational and written/oral communication skills – able to prioritize and execute tasks in a high-pressure environment with the ongoing drive for continuous improvement in all aspects of work

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Willing to work extended hours and weekends as needed

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS:

Pay range:

Propulsion Engineer/Senior: $130,000.00 - $180,000.00/per year

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, stock options, 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.