Droneship Engineer, Recovery Operations (Falcon)

DRONESHIP ENGINEER, RECOVERY OPERATIONS (FALCON)

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Own droneship subsystems, with a focus on automations and controls, mission readiness, improvements, and the dispositioning of non-conformances to help SpaceX execute on a triple-digit Falcon 9 manifest
• Work with a staff of engineers, specialists, and technicians to achieve the overall success of the Falcon 9 Recovery program
• Provide extreme ownership over SpaceX’s fleet of recovery vessels
• Provide technical and strategic guidance to other engineers, specialists, and technicians on the team
• Manufacture, build, install, and activate droneship and space support vessel recovery systems – mechanical, fluid and electrical systems
• Optimize, coordinate, and troubleshoot offshore operations remotely with supporting engineering teams and a skilled technician workforce
• Develop automation for SpaceX’s drone ships aimed at facilitating airport-like recovery operations in an open, collaborative atmosphere
• Identify and propose potential upgrades to recovery hardware, software, and procedures – drive continuous improvement in these areas by interfacing regularly with various teams across SpaceX
• Work closely with Falcon 9 Guidance, Navigation & Control (GNC), Avionics, and Stage responsible engineers on a per-mission basis to ensure the launch vehicle and recovery assets are configured correctly
• Contribute to system and procedural development of next generation autonomous vessels and maritime operations

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s degree in an engineering discipline
• 2+ years of experience building, maintaining, modifying, or operating electrical/mechanical/fluids ground support equipment

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:

• Proficiency in the troubleshooting of Programmable Logic Controllers (PLCs), Human-Machine Interfaces (HMIs), industrial control circuits, and communication protocols
• Masters degree in an engineering discipline
• Capable with Siemens and/or Beckhoff automation hardware and software
• Proficiency in the design of Programmable Logic Controllers (PLCs), Human-Machine Interfaces (HMIs), industrial control circuits, and communication protocols
• Familiarity with instrumentation and control components (pressure transducers, thermocouples, RTDs, strain gauges, accelerometers, flow meters, load cells, relays, solenoids, pneumatic valves)
• Experience in control and monitoring of complex automated systems and risk assessment/reduction of the system
• Strong work ethic and drive to succeed balanced with the ability to work effectively in a team environment
• Able to work in a fast paced, autonomously driven and demanding atmosphere
• Strong project management skills

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Ability to pass Air Force background check for Cape Canaveral
• Flight hardware typically is built in tight quarters and physical dexterity is required
• Ability to perform job duties that require standing, kneeling, crouching, twisting upper body, working in cramped positions in small openings and climbing hand over hand
• May be exposed to work in extreme outdoor environments – heat, cold, rain
• Schedule varies depending on site operational needs; flexibility required
• Occasional travel to other SpaceX sites, as needed; ~5%