Flight Reliability Engineer, System Safety (Starship)

Job Description

About SpaceX

SpaceX is a private space exploration company founded with the belief that a future where humanity is exploring the stars is fundamentally more exciting than one where we are not. Their ultimate goal is to enable human life on Mars.

Job Description: Flight Reliability Engineer, System Safety (Starship)

This role is focused on developing safety and reliability models and analyses for various Starship and Super Heavy systems. The Flight Reliability Engineer will work closely with design, build, and operations teams to ensure the reliability and safety of these vehicles.

Responsibilities:

• Produce and own qualitative and quantitative reliability analyses: This includes using various methodologies like FMEA/FMECA, fault tree assessment, hazard analyses, statistical analyses, and probabilistic risk assessments.
• Present results of system safety analyses: The engineer will communicate findings to both internal SpaceX engineers and managers, as well as external certification agencies like the FAA and NASA.
• Drive actions and findings to completion: This involves working with relevant teams to implement changes and address risks identified through analyses.
• Utilize internal tracking systems: The engineer will use SpaceX systems to monitor technical readiness and ensure the currency of owned analyses.
• Communicate technical risks: Clearly and concisely communicate risks to the executive leadership team.
• Support anomaly investigations: Utilize tools like fault trees, fishbones, and the 5 Whys method to analyze and understand anomalies.
• Influence and drive process implementation: Help ensure the Starship program utilizes appropriate processes and tools for managing risk, changes, and mission workflows.
• Run projects and tool improvements: Contribute to projects and initiatives aimed at improving the program’s ability to manage and understand technical risk.
• Support regulatory and customer reviews: Provide support for reviews with regulatory bodies and customers as needed.
• Support cross-functional technical reviews: Participate in technical reviews for hardware and procedures.

Basic Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in an engineering discipline.
• 1+ years of experience in reliability and/or system safety (internships and project teams qualify).

Preferred Skills and Experience:

• Master’s degree in an engineering discipline.
• 3+ years of professional experience in an aerospace engineering field (design, analysis, or test at the large assembly or system level).
• Experience using SAPHIRE and Minitab for probabilistic risk analysis.
• Experience using VB, Python, and SQL for scripting and data analysis.
• Experience with system trades and understanding how requirements tie hardware to larger systems.
• Experience with NX or similar CAD design software.
• Experience interpreting schematics and diagrams from multiple disciplines.
• Experience with FAA/NASA certification processes.

Additional Requirements:

• Willingness to travel to SpaceX sites to support test and launch operations as needed.
• Availability to work long hours and weekends as needed based on test and launch schedules.

Compensation and Benefits:

• Pay range:
• Flight Reliability Engineer/Level I: $95,000.00 – $115,000.00/per year
• Flight Reliability Engineer/Level II: $110,000.00 – $130,000.00/per year
• The actual level and base salary will be determined based on experience, education, and skills.
• In addition to base salary, employees may be eligible for:
• Long-term incentives (company stock, stock options, or long-term cash awards).
• Discretionary bonuses.
• Employee Stock Purchase Plan.
• Comprehensive medical, vision, and dental coverage.
• 401(k) retirement plan.
• Short and long-term disability insurance.
• Life insurance.
• Paid parental leave.
• Various discounts and perks.
• 3 weeks of paid vacation.
• 10 or more paid holidays per year.
• 5 days of sick leave per year (exempt employees).

ITAR Requirements:

• Applicants must be a U.S. citizen, national, lawful permanent resident (green card holder), Refugee, or Asylee or be eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.

Equal Opportunity Employer:

• SpaceX is an Equal Opportunity Employer and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any kind.