Propulsion Engineer, Non-Destructive Evaluation (Raptor)
Hawthorne · 1+ years experience · Onsite · Posted Oct 16, 2026
At a glance
- Experience
- 1+ years experience
- Workplace
- Onsite
- Location
- Hawthorne
About the role
- SpaceX is seeking a Propulsion Engineer, Non-Destructive Evaluation (Raptor) for its Hawthorne facility to ensure the structural integrity and reliability of the Raptor Engine.
- The role involves utilizing advanced NDE techniques like phased-array and immersion ultrasonics to improve manufacturing processes and enable high-rate production.
Responsibilities
- Develop NDE inspection methods from feasibility through production cut-in, covering sensors, scan development, software, and qualification.
- Design and prototype ultrasonic sensor systems, scan setups, and part tooling to meet coverage, sensitivity, and cycle-time requirements.
- Partner with responsible engineers on inspection requirements, designing parts for inspectability, method selection, and evaluation of production data.
- Validate new techniques with modeling, bench-top trials, and production-representative scans before committing to full-scale hardware.
- Drive vendors, tooling, and automation from requirements and procurement through on-site install, integration, and commissioning.
- Build and deploy automated evaluation, data storage, and reporting pipelines that link inspection results to work orders.
- Define integration test plans, qualification evidence, and production-cut-in criteria that track to the program schedule.
- Present risk, performance, and recommendations to manufacturing, design, and leadership.
- Debug hardware and software interactions at the inspection cell during development and production.
- Use production scan data to improve detection performance, reduce cycle time, and eliminate false calls and escapes.
Requirements
- Bachelor's degree in an engineering discipline, physics, or computer science.
- 1+ years of hands-on with non-destructive evaluation techniques and processes.
Preferred qualifications
- Master’s degree or PhD in an engineering discipline
- Knowledge of a variety of NDE techniques such as phased array ultrasonic testing, immersion ultrasonic testing, eddy current testing, digital radiography testing, etc.
- Knowledge of statistical modeling, machine learning, and mathematical optimization
- Understanding of hardware and software development and validation process
- Familiarity with JIRA or similar task/feature tracking systems
- Knowledge of automation and controls
- Experience with software and automation coding (Labview, Python, C#, SQL)
- Experience with problem solving tools and techniques: Practical Problem Solving, 8D etc.
Benefits
- Long-term incentives in the form of company stock or long-term cash awards
- Potential discretionary bonuses
- Employee Stock Purchase Plan
- Comprehensive medical, vision, and dental coverage
- 401(k) retirement plan
- Short and long-term disability insurance
- Life insurance
- Paid parental leave
- 3 weeks of paid vacation
- 10 or more paid holidays per year
Workplace
- Ability to travel to vendors and other SpaceX sites as needed (up to 25%)
Skills
- Labview
- Python
- C#
- SQL
- JIRA
