Sr. Recovery Engineer (F9 Booster & Fairings)

Responsibilities

• Own overall mission campaigns to process Falcon 9 boosters and fairings at the Port of Long Beach
• Develop procedures, test plans, and concept of operations for F9 flight hardware processing and quick deliveries back to Vandenberg
• 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, Ground Support Equipment, Responsible Engineers, and Recovery to improve overall strategies with Falcon 9 reuse
• Support operations as needed as a trained Vehicle Controller and manually command the rocket for critical operations
• Create/modify automation for controlling the Falcon 9 booster to streamline processing
• Willingness to learn and grow engineering knowledge across flight hardware processing, tooling design, automation, and more
• Periodically embark on recovery voyages across the Pacific Ocean, joining elite teams to retrieve rockets and fairings in dynamic offshore environments while solving real-world engineering problems

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in an engineering discipline
• 5+ years of experience developing and/or processing aerospace or aviation systems
• PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:
• 5+ 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
• ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:
• 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 work in a high-stress environment
• Willing to support offshore operations, including working recovery missions at sea
• 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
• COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS:
• Pay Range:
• Level 3: $135,000.00 - $190,000.00
• 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.
• ITAR REQUIREME

Benefits

Additional Information

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. RECOVERY ENGINEER (F9 BOOSTER & FAIRINGS) 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 landed Falcon 9 boosters and fairings. Recovering and re-flying rockets is historic and has changed the industry for the future...and you could be a part of that team.

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