Recovery Engineer (Falcon)

RECOVERY ENGINEER (FALCON)

SpaceX operates the world’s first automated unmanned vessel certified to land orbital-class vehicles. This role has the opportunity to work with an elite team to develop and execute the processing operations of a landed Falcon 9 booster. Recovering and reflying rockets is historic and has changed the rocket industry for the future…and you could be a part of that team.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Own overall mission campaigns to process Falcon 9 boosters at the Port of Long Beach
• Develop procedures, test plans, and concept of operations for Falcon 9 booster processing
• Drive more efficient operations to improve Falcon 9 recovery cost and hardware health for improved refurbishment timelines
• Resolve blockers to operations in the field and make real-time decisions to keep team moving
• Design, build, and test new ground support equipment in support of improving recovery operations
• Ensure systems are in place to guarantee hardware readiness – including, but not limited to, preventative maintenance, critical spares, and hardware testing
• Remain synchronized with all recovery operations on both coasts to ensure commonality in both hardware and operations where applicable
• Interface between Launch Teams, Vehicle Refurbishment, Flight Hardware Logistics and Recovery to improve overall strategies with Falcon 9 Reuse

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor's degree in an engineering or science discipline
• 2+ years of experience developing and/or processing aerospace or aviation systems

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:

• 2+ years of hands-on experience building, maintaining, modifying, troubleshooting and operating ground support equipment
• Experience operating fluid, mechanical or electrical systems and background working with complex, multi-disciplinary system assemblies
• Experience planning, executing, leading and improving operations involving more than 10 personnel
• Experience with critical operations where real-time decision-making affects success criteria
• Able to work well in an integrated collaborative team environment including daily communication/interactions with technicians, engineers, and managers
• Able to prioritize and execute tasks in a high-pressure environment
• Self-motivated and directed with keen attention to detail
• Ongoing drive for continuous improvement in all aspects of work
• Detail oriented, organized, and demonstrate a high sense of urgency
• Strong background with hazardous chemical/material handling

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Willing to travel
• Willing to work outdoors and in maritime environments
• Ability to work in a high-concentration, high-stress environment; good response to problems posed by short deadlines; prolonged mental concentration (under possible extended work hours)
• Willing to support offshore operations, including working recovery missions at sea
• Position may require long hours (10-12+ hour days) and weekend work
• Willing to work in extreme outdoor environments – heat, cold, rain, wind, open ocean
• Ability to climb ladders and work in tight/confined spaces
• Willing to work with hazardous materials
• Ability to operate heavy machinery
• Ability to pass Air Force background checks for Cape Canaveral and Vandenberg
• Must have a valid driver’s license
• Position is subject to pre-employment drug and random drug and alcohol testing

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS:
Pay range:
Recovery Engineer/Level I: $95,000.00 - $115,000.00/per year
Recovery 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 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. Exempt employees are eligible for 5 days of sick leave per year.