Test Reliability Engineer (Raptor)
SpaceX was founded under the belief that a future where humanity is out exploring the stars is fundamentally more exciting than one where we are not. Today SpaceX is actively developing the technologies to make this possible, with the ultimate goal of enabling human life on Mars.
TEST RELIABILITY ENGINEER (RAPTOR)
Raptor is a full-flow, staged combustion engine powering Starship – the most powerful launch vehicle in the world that is designed for heavy payload transport, multi-planetary travel, and complete reusability. The Raptor program is currently developing the design and factory to achieve maximum performance and high pace production to support planned missions to the Moon and Mars. As part of the Build Reliability organization, you will join an inclusive, interdisciplinary team that collaborates with other core teams to drive reliability across manufacturing, test, and flight. You will be the primary contact for hardware concerns, drive systematic improvements, support root cause investigations, and dive into understanding and defining technical requirements with data. You thrive in a hands-on environment and will spend time in the Raptor Ops Center, on the various Raptor Test Stands, and in support labs to execute on the mission to make humanity interplanetary.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Partner with design engineering, manufacturing and engine test teams through product testing development, engine acceptance testing and post-test manufacturing checkouts and dress outs to create quality hardware validation for flight assemblies, including identification of key operating characteristics, prototype development testing for functionality and high-speed manufacturability, flight and prototype planning development, and collation of testing failures and lessons learned
- Develop, implement, and validate Lean test and inspection processes for new and existing products, ensuring that acceptance criteria are objective and that quality and reliability goals are consistently met
- Monitor the success of products and processes through production, test and delivery to integration using a suite of quality and analysis tools, including FMECA and other root cause analysis systems
- Investigate failures in production, test and flight; identify and mitigate the immediate and underlying root causes to reduce risk and improve reliability of designs and processes
- Contain suspect or known non-conforming product; provide guidance to quality inspectors, technicians, shop supervisors and engineers to assist in quarantining and rework activities
- Support the shop floor in continuous improvement and the advancing of a Lean, autonomous production system through creation of standard rework/repair guides, removal of redundant or unnecessary inspection, and improved control and optimization of critical processes
- Help the reliability team develop and maintain data systems that show the Raptor program key performance indicators, overall program metrics and conformance of Raptors delivered to Starbase.
- Transition seamlessly between highly developmental hardware and high rigor and fully traceable flight hardware
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:
- Bachelor's degree in an engineering discipline or physics
- 1+ years in a manufacturing, quality, and/or design engineering role
PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:
- Strong interpersonal and collaborative skills, enthusiasm for the team’s spirit of innovation and mission of improving reliability in cutting-edge technology
- Master’s degree in mechanical engineering, aerospace engineering, materials engineering, or electrical engineering
- Demonstrated application of process controls in high volume manufacturing, test, and quality environment
- Knowledge of quality tools such as Lean principles, measurement systems analysis, design of experiments, statistical process control, root cause analysis and corrective action, advanced product quality planning (APQP), metrology, process failure mode and effects analysis (PFMEA), control plans, and various problem-solving approaches
- Dedicated to adopting a Lean approach to quality without compromising safety or reliability
- Experience developing or supporting any of the following products/processes:
- Complex mechanical/structural assemblies
- Propulsion Systems integration and test
- Castings/Additive manufacturing
- Materials Engineering
- Turbopump/valve assembly
- CNC machining, forming, bending
- Bonding, drilling, fastening and other assembly manufacturing processes
- Avionics integration and testing
- Welding (electron beam (EB), TIG, etc.)
- Experience in SQL based record systems to support custom data analysis to support containment of hardware and/or impact of workmanship on hardware
ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:
- Ability to work extended hours, weekends, and offsite as needed
ITAR REQUIREMENTS:
- To conform to U.S. Government export regulations, applicant must be a (i) U.S. citizen or national, (ii) U.S. lawful, permanent resident (aka green card holder), (iii) Refugee under 8 U.S.C. § 1157, or (iv) Asylee under 8 U.S.C. § 1158, or be eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State. Learn more about the ITAR here.
SpaceX is an Equal Opportunity Employer; employment with SpaceX is governed on the basis of merit, competence and qualifications and will not be influenced in any manner by race, color, religion, gender, national origin/ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, mental or physical disability or any other legally protected status.
Applicants wishing to view a copy of SpaceX’s Affirmative Action Plan for veterans and individuals with disabilities, or applicants requiring reasonable accommodation to the application/interview process should reach out to EEOCompliance@spacex.com.
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