Launch Engineer, Ground Support Equipment (Falcon)

About the Role

This is a ground system engineering position on the Falcon Integration team in Vandenberg, focusing on the design, build, and activation of fluid and mechanical systems to support SpaceX Falcon 9 vehicle processing, spacecraft integration, and umbilical refurb.

Key Responsibilities

• Design, build, and activate equipment for launch site vehicle processing and launch, including structural, tooling/fixtures, fluids, and transport equipment.
• Support Stage 1, Stage 2, Fairing, and launch site payload operations, from Dockside to Launch, with a focus on vehicle interface tooling for structural and fluid connections.
• Support flight inspection and refurbishment operations for all umbilicals for pad operations.
• Utilize hand calculations, finite element analyses (FEA), and computer-aided designs (CAD) to ensure hardware meets requirements.
• Lead design reviews and activation testing.
• Serve as a technical interface to customers and suppliers.
• Monitor and participate in ground system build and test, hands-on in the field, with technician teams.
• Collaborate with engineers and technicians on critical operations involving mechanical, hydraulic, and pneumatic systems on non-flight hardware.
• Perform continuing engineering and production support of ground support equipment to achieve 99%+ uptime for flight hardware integration activities.

Requirements & Tech Stack

• Bachelor’s degree in an engineering discipline.
• 1+ years of hands-on hardware experience performing fabrication, assembly, and/or testing.
• Experience with NX/Teamcenter for designing parts and assemblies.
• Experience with CAD and FEA software packages (professional, academic, entrepreneurial, or hobby setting).
• Experience with at least one commercial FEA or multiphysics simulation package (NASTRAN, ABAQUS, ANSYS, CFD codes, etc.).
• Demonstrated ability to own hardware or systems within an integrated engineering team outside a classroom setting (e.g., FSAE, Engineers without Borders, Design-Build-Fly, NASA student launch, personal entrepreneurial ventures).
• Analytical/scientific programming experience (Python, MATLAB, Excel, etc.).
• Hands-on experience working with, troubleshooting, and/or designing complex fluid systems involving pressure vessels, filters, pressure relief valves, manual valves, regulators, and gauges.
• Expertise in the design, build, and operation of systems per any of the following:
• Fluids - ASME B31.3, ASME B&PV Code Section VIII
• Mechanical: AFSPCMAN 91-710, ASME B30, ASME BTH-1, NASA-STD-5005
• Excellent written and oral communication skills, especially translating technical concepts for non-technical audiences.
• General hands-on mechanical experience: welding, automotive, robotics, rocketry, etc.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced, autonomously driven, and demanding atmosphere.
• Adaptability to changes in strategic direction.

Additional Requirements

• Ability to pass Air Force background check for Vandenberg Space Force Base, CA.
• Physical effort including standing, lifting, and carrying moderately heavy materials or equipment (15 to 30 lbs.).
• Mental fitness for a high-concentration, high-stress environment requiring prolonged concentration, potentially under extended work hours.
• Flexibility on shifts.
• Occasional travel may be required.