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.

SR. MISSION INTEGRATION ENGINEER - TOP SECRET CLEARANCE

In this role, you will lead and integrate system trades of various launch vehicles, spacecraft, and sensors, as well as analyze a wide variety of solutions to meet mission needs. You will be given significant latitude to be creative, conceiving and testing various approaches to determine which is best suited to meet technical and programmatic objectives. You will work with a multi-disciplinary team to recommend candidate approaches and support the development of operational concepts and interfaces at the mission, segment, system, and sub-system levels. You will identify key performance parameters and constraints to enable mission success and future capabilities. In addition, you will perform system architecture studies as well as write and coordinate interface control, requirements, and concept of operations documents. An ideal candidate has a strong technical background in space vehicle design, integration, and verification across the program lifecycle.

As a member of our Mission Management team, you will serve as a core point of contact for customers from early capabilities studies through successful delivery. You’ll also support new business proposals from initial requirements negotiation through final handoff and validation.

We are looking for engineers who enjoy solving complex problems, can work effectively in a fast-paced environment, and are passionate about advancing the space industry.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Key technical leader in all phases of development from initial proposal development through successful test, flight, on-orbit commissioning, demonstrations, and mission execution
Own distillation of customer mission requirements into actionable development criteria, objectives, and verification plans
Develop system requirements and interface control documents based on trade study results
Coordinate mission modeling and capabilities assessments in support of system design trades
Drive development of system concept of operations including spacecraft GNC design, payload operations & integration, and design reference missions
Collaborate with subsystem representatives across team boundaries to consider all necessary trades and ensure end-to-end mission success
Evaluate open architecture standards and recommend changes to support operational approaches
Work with all internal and external stakeholders to drive prototype hardware and software development
Lead all customer reviews and ensure that contract deliverables are delivered on time and per the customer’s expectation

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:

Bachelor's degree in an engineering discipline or physics
5+ years of system-level engineering experience
3+ years of technical project management experience
1+ years of experience working with spacecraft or launch vehicles
Active Top Secret, Top Secret SCI, or DOE Level Q clearance

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:

Master’s degree in an engineering discipline
8+ years of aerospace industry experience
8+ years of system-level engineering experience
5+ years of experience working with US government, NASA, or commercial spacecraft entities
2+ years of professional experience with MATLAB, Python, or C++
Broad understanding of spacecraft avionics and systems
Excellent written and verbal communication skills with direct experience negotiating technical deliverables or scope
Experience working with cross-functional teams and external customers
Experience in space mission modeling or spacecraft operations
Experience with open architecture development approaches and standards
Experience with orbital dynamics, rocket propulsion, and communications
Experience with mechanical systems
Highly detail-oriented, diligent, and hardworking
Passion for advancing the commercial space industry
Ability to work in a fast-paced, autonomously driven, and demanding environment

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

Ability to work long hours and weekends as necessary to meet mission-critical deadlines
Willing to travel at least 10% of the time, to vendors, customers, or domestics/international ground sites
An active clearance may provide the opportunity for you to work on sensitive SpaceX missions; if so, you will be subject to pre-employment drug and random drug and alcohol testing

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS:

Pay range:
Mission Integration Engineer/Senior: $125,000.00 - $175,000.00/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. Those with an active clearance will receive a 10% differential, up to an additional $15,000 annually, once officially briefed into a classified program.

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. Employees accrue paid sick leave pursuant to Company policy which satisfies or exceeds the accrual, carryover, and use requirements of the law.

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.

Sr. Mission Integration Engineer - Top Secret Clearance