Sr. Mechanical Engineer (Gas/Steam Turbines)

Starbase, TX · 5+ years experience · Onsite · Posted Sep 22, 2026

At a glance

SpaceX is looking for a Sr. Mechanical Engineer to support power plant development by owning the rotating equipment integration scope from technical specification through equipment selection, interface management, construction and into commissioning.
This is a hands-on role working across gas turbines, steam turbines, and HRSGs involving construction, control room commissioning during startup, and field troubleshooting.

Develop technical specifications for gas turbines, steam turbines, HRSGs, and associated auxiliaries (lube oil systems, gas fuel skids, SCR/CO catalyst systems)
Lead technical evaluation of OEM proposals and drive equipment selection recommendations
Own mechanical interface management between major equipment packages — turbine, generator, HRSG, steam turbine, condenser, and balance of plant systems
Review and approve OEM drawings, GA layouts, and P&IDs for technical compliance and constructibility
Support foundation and structural design coordination with civil/structural engineering, including dynamic loading and vibration criteria
Work with EPC and OEM to resolve technical interface issues before they hit the field
Participate in factory acceptance testing (FAT) at OEM facilities
Support commissioning and startup activities on-site, including mechanical checkout, alignment verification, and vibration baseline testing
Develop technical basis for spare parts strategy and critical rotating equipment spares
Travel to OEM factories, fabrication shops, and the construction site as needed

Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related engineering discipline
5+ years of experience with utility-scale rotating equipment: gas turbines, steam turbines, HRSGs, or large industrial compressors/pumps
Must be available to work extended hours and weekends when needed based on site operational needs; flexibility required
Willingness to travel to job sites during construction, commissioning, and critical operational events
Must be a U.S. citizen or national, U.S. lawful permanent resident, Refugee, Asylee, or be eligible to obtain required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State to conform to ITAR regulations

Working knowledge of rotating equipment fundamentals: rotor dynamics, bearing design, lube oil systems, thermal expansion, and alignment
Experience with mechanical specification development and technical bid evaluation for major equipment packages
Direct experience with F-class or H-class gas turbines
Experience with HRSG design review — drum internals, superheater/reheater arrangement, SCR integration
Familiarity with API 611/612/616/617 standards for rotating equipment
Experience with vibration analysis, rotor dynamics software, or finite element analysis for rotating machinery
Factory acceptance test (FAT) experience at an OEM turbine or generator facility
Field commissioning experience: alignment, mechanical run tests, vibration baselining