New Graduate Engineer, Launch & Test (Starship)

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.

NEW GRADUATE ENGINEER, LAUNCH & TEST (STARSHIP)

SpaceX is building the infrastructure to make humanity multiplanetary, and Starship will not fly without world-class launch and test systems. As a new graduate engineer on the Starship Launch & Test team, you will work directly on the design, analysis, activation, and operation of the Starship tower, launch mount, fluid systems, and test stands that enable rapid iteration and high launch cadence. This is a high-impact role where new graduates contribute to real hardware that supports testing, launch, and recovery of the most powerful rocket ever built. If you want to solve problems that have never been solved before and help push the boundaries of what’s possible, apply now.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Support the design, analysis, and development of Starship launch mount, tower, and test infrastructure
• Perform structural, thermal, and fluids analysis to evaluate and optimize hardware designs
• Contribute to fluid systems that handle cryogens and high-pressure gases for testing and launch operations
• Collaborate with vehicle, software, and operations teams to ensure systems integrate and perform reliably
• Participate in design reviews and help translate requirements into manufacturable hardware
• Work hands-on with technicians to build, activate, and troubleshoot systems in a fast-paced environment
• Assist with test planning, real-time operations support, and post-test data review
• Identify opportunities to improve reliability, reduce turnaround time, and increase launch rate
• Drive rapid iteration by applying engineering fundamentals to solve complex, real-world problems

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:

• Graduating with a bachelor’s degree, master’s degree or PhD in 2026 or 2027
• Degree in an engineering discipline or physics
• 1+ years of mechanical or fluids design, analysis, or build experience via project team, research, internships, and/or professional experience

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:

• Strong ability to use data and analysis to make fast data-driven decisions
• Ability to perform trade studies and make clear recommendations using first principles and engineering fundamentals even with partial information
• Strong understanding of engineering fundamentals
• Experience working at a nimble engineering organization or in a highly technical position that required a scrappy, entrepreneurial manner to accomplish tasks with tight time or budget constraints
• Excelled in ultra-competitive environments (achieved podium finish in engineering, math, or science competitions, achieved scores in the top percentile of scholastic or standardized tests, or demonstrated other incredible feats of intellectual achievement)
• Experience building hardware or have a passion for contributing to a work product that operates in the real world
• Succeeded in multiple endeavors at once; maybe you worked through college, were a student athlete, or demonstrated strong work or academic performance in multiple fields
• Demonstrated rapid growth, you’ve held successive positions of increasing responsibility within an organization, were able to get yourself up to speed at a heroic pace, and accomplished something meaningfully difficult early in your career
• Demonstrated resilience and the ability to overcome failure or extreme odds - critics may say that our goals are impossible but this isn’t the first time we’ve proven that highly improbable goals like reusable rockets can become possible

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Ability to work extended hours and weekends as necessary – flexibility required
• Ability and willingness to relocate to Starbase, TX (Brownsville, TX area)
• Stand: Up to 3 hours per day
• Sit: Up to 6 hours per day
• Push/Pull: Up to 50lbs. (unassisted) Up to 15 minutes per day
• Overhead reach: Up to 3 hours per day
• Walk: Up to 3 hours per day
• Lift/Carry: Up to 25lbs. (unassisted) Up to 15 minutes per day
• Climb (ladder/stairs): Up to 1 hour per day
• Kneel/Crouch: N/A
• Upper body twist: N/A
• Ability to work in temperatures over 80 degrees: up to 30 minutes per day
• Candidate must be capable of safely working at heights (up to 500ft), in confined spaces, using an air purifying respirator, and performing the physical requirements of the job listed in the job description
• Candidate may be required to complete a pre-employment questionnaire and/or physical to confirm these capabilities, which may include a medical history review

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 recruiter contact.