Dynamics Engineer (Starship) at SpaceX

DYNAMICS ENGINEER (STARSHIP)

The Starship Dynamics team is responsible for induced vehicle environments, system dynamics and vehicle dynamics on the Starship and HLS vehicles. The dynamics group is focused on defining forcing functions acting on the vehicle, predicting vehicle and system response, and ensuring hardware is qualified for ground testing and flight. The group has a wide range of responsibilities that include structural dynamics, fluid system dynamics, engine dynamics and multibody dynamics. Dynamics engineers are expected to have a strong intuition of physics first principles, the frequency domain and a broad range of engineering disciplines, in addition to having solid software and analytical skills. 

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Resolve dynamics problems through analysis, test and the use of flight data
• Build finite element and lumped element models of launch vehicle systems
• Execute dynamic testing from start-to-finish (pre-test analysis, sensor selection & installation, testing, data analysis, signal processing and model correlation)
• Own system level analysis and drive hardware modifications or vehicle operations across vehicle engineering teams
• Perform analyses using commercial and in-house codes as well as write new code

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s degree in an engineering discipline
• 1+ years of experience with structural or fluid dynamics via full-time employment, outside the classroom projects, or lab work

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:

• Hands-on experience either analyzing data or building hardware
• Experience with fluid system modeling and structural-fluid coupling pogo problems
• Experience with NASTRAN (knowledge of DMAP programming a plus)
• Experience with turbomachinery and combustion dynamics
• Experience with vibration and shock testing
• Experience with finite element modeling
• Experience with solving ordinary differential equations
• Working knowledge of structural analysis and test, including a fundamental understanding of strength, stability and fatigue failure mechanisms
• Experience with data processing and analysis in Python and MATLAB

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Position may require extended work hours and weekend work

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS:    

Pay range:    
Dynamics Engineer /Level I: $95,000.00 - $115,000.00/per year    
Dynamics Engineer /Level II: $110,000.00 - $130,000.00/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 & long-term disability insurance, life insurance, paid parental leave, and various other discounts and perks. You may also accrue 3 weeks of paid vacation & will be eligible for 10 or more paid holidays per year. Exempt employees are eligible for 5 days of sick leave per year.