Propulsion Engineer, Stage Systems (Starship)
Starbase, TX · 1+ years experience · Remote · Posted Oct 19, 2026
At a glance
- Experience
- 1+ years experience
- Workplace
- Remote
- Location
- Starbase, TX
About the role
- The Stage Responsible Engineer (Stage RE) develops the fluid systems required to enable higher-performance, highly manufacturable interplanetary vehicles.
- This role develops the design, operation, and performance of the stage propulsion systems on the Starship launch vehicle, owning overall system performance for each vehicle and mission.
Responsibilities
- Develop and maintain top-level requirements, system design, operation, and performance of associated components.
- Develop and maintain thermal/fluid models of the stage propulsion systems.
- Generate and maintain stage control system timing, valve sequencing, and stage systems mission design.
- Develop CONOPs from conception through flight software configuration, implementation, and execution.
- Support production, test, and launch operations as needed across all SpaceX facilities.
- Review and approve all stage system checkouts and non-conformance dispositions.
- Perform final vehicle inspections prior to shipment or test.
- Generate and maintain all stage test plans and support all stage testing operations.
- Review and approve stage systems launch procedures, final integration instructions, anomaly resolutions, and flight software.
- Review launch data, validate flight vehicle performance, and lead stage-related flight anomaly resolutions.
Requirements
- Bachelor's degree in mechanical, manufacturing, or aerospace engineering.
- 1 year of mechanical or fluid system design experience.
- Must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident, refugee, or asylee to conform to U.S. Government export regulations (ITAR).
Preferred qualifications
- Master’s degree in mechanical engineering, aerospace engineering, or another engineering field.
- Strong first principles understanding of thermodynamics, incompressible flow, and compressible flow.
- Proficient knowledge of statics and mechanics of materials.
- Experience working with pressurized fluid systems and components.
- Experience testing rocket stage or engine propulsion systems.
- Experience with integrated vehicle pad and launch operations.
- Hands-on hardware experience performing fabrication, assembly, and/or testing.
- Working knowledge of Python and/or MATLAB.
Workplace
- Flexibility to travel to remote build sites.
Skills
- Python
- MATLAB
- Thermodynamics
- Incompressible Flow
- Compressible Flow
- Statics
- Mechanics Of Materials
- Fluid Systems
- Cryogenic Systems
- Pressure Control Devices
- Valves
- Diffusers
Show all 15 skills
- Fittings
- Pressure Transducers
- RTDs
