About this role
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.
PROPULSION ENGINEER, NON-DESTRUCTIVE EVALUATION
NDE (Non-Destructive Evaluation) Engineers ensure the structural integrity and reliability of the Raptor Engine. At the Hawthorne facility, you will utilize advanced NDE techniques, including phased-array ultrasonics and immersion ultrasonics to improve manufacturing processes. You will seamlessly integrate these methods with automated systems to enable high-rate production, drive optimizations, and ensure mission success.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
• Develop NDE inspection methods from feasibility through production cut-in, covering sensors, scan development, software, and qualification
• Design and prototype ultrasonic sensor systems, scan setups, and part tooling to meet coverage, sensitivity, and cycle-time requirements
• Partner with responsible engineers on inspection requirements, designing parts for inspectability, method selection, and evaluation of production data
• Validate new techniques with modeling, bench-top trials, and production-representative scans before committing to full-scale hardware
• Drive vendors, tooling, and automation from requirements and procurement through on-site install, integration, and commissioning
• Build and deploy automated evaluation, data storage, and reporting pipelines that link inspection results to work orders
• Define integration test plans, qualification evidence, and production-cut-in criteria that track to the program schedule
• Present risk, performance, and recommendations to manufacturing, design, and leadership
• Debug hardware and software interactions at the inspection cell during development and production
• Use production scan data to improve detection performance, reduce cycle time, and eliminate false calls and escapes
• Train production technicians on new inspection methods and support them through process activation
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:
• Bachelor's degree in an engineering discipline, physics, or computer science
• 1+ years of hands-on with non-destructive evaluation techniques and processes
PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:
• Master’s degree or PhD in an engineering discipline
• Knowledge of a variety of NDE techniques such as phased array ultrasonic testing, immersion ultrasonic testing, eddy current testing, digital radiography testing, etc.
• Knowledge of statistical modeling, machine learning, and mathematical optimization
• Understanding of hardware and software development and validation process
• Familiarity with JIRA or similar task/feature tracking systems
• Knowledge of automation and controls
• Experience with software and automation coding (Labview, Python, C#, SQL)
• Ability to multitask, from developing techno