Mechanical Engineer, Mechanisms (Crew Starship)
SpaceX
Other Engineering
hawthorne, ca, usa
USD 95k-130k / year + Equity
Posted on Nov 13, 2025
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.
MECHANICAL ENGINEER, MECHANISMS (CREW STARSHIP)
After 50 years, humankind will once again return to the surface of the moon using SpaceX’s new vehicle, Crew Starship (also known as HLS or the Human Landing System) – this time for good. Starship will usher in the next era of crewed spaceflight and exploration, ultimately allowing us to establish permanent communities on the Moon, Mars, and beyond. As a Mechanical Engineer on the Crew Starship team, you will design and build spacecraft systems that are critical to the success and safety of future astronauts. Disciplines within this team include primary and secondary structures, mechanisms, and crew-interfacing hardware. Your design solutions will be driven by all future Crew Starship missions (Lunar, Mars, etc.). This role requires full hardware ownership, from initial design requirements and concepts all the way through design, analysis, prototype, qualification, and integration.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Own the design, analysis, and manufacturing of next generation structures and mechanisms for Starship vehicles needed for long duration and landing missions (examples include the solar deploy system, landing legs, and lunar elevator)
- Perform hand calculations and FEA to develop, assess, and optimize designs
- Rapidly iterate on manufacturing processes and development testing in a fast-paced environment
- Collaborate with interdisciplinary teams to ensure hardware integrates with Starship systems and supports necessary mission operations
- Lead design reviews internally and externally with suppliers and customers (e.g., NASA)
- Negotiate complex trade studies to optimize for cost, schedule, safety, and performance, among other considerations
- Be responsible for project delivery timeline from early design through production, launch, and recovery
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:
- Bachelor's degree in an engineering discipline
- 1+ years of experience with mechanical design and analysis (internship and extracurricular experience qualifies)
PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:
- 3+ years of professional experience in mechanical design and analysis
- Demonstrated understanding of structural analysis and failure modes of complex mechanical systems
- Strong ability to use data and analysis to make fast data-driven decisions
- Experience with structures and mechanisms in aerospace or aviation industries
- Ability to perform trade studies using first principles and engineering fundamentals to make clear recommendations even with partial information
- Experienced in Siemens NX, Ansys, and/or Abaqus
- Solid understanding and application of geometric dimensioning and tolerancing (GD&T)
- Excellent communication skills (both written and verbal) and ability to succinctly present recommendations to other engineers, stakeholders, management, and executive staff
- Experience 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
- Leadership experience on an engineering or project team
ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:
- Willing to work extended hours and weekends as needed to support critical milestones
- Occasional travel to other SpaceX work sites
COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS:
Pay Range:
Mechanical Engineer/Level I: $95,000.00 - $115,000.00/per year
Mechanical Engineer/Level II: $110,000.00 - $130,000.00/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.
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.