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.
REGULATORY AFFAIRS ENGINEER
This Regulatory Affairs Engineer supports the Falcon, Dragon, and Starfall programs in FAA launch and reentry licensing and related regulatory affairs. The role demonstrates compliance with applicable U.S. government requirements and works with SpaceX engineers across disciplines, with frequent engagement with commercial space, airspace, radio spectrum, and maritime regulators. The role also supports Falcon, Dragon, and Starfall engineering, which oversees each SpaceX mission and drives continuous improvement from prior flights.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Support interactions with offices within the FAA, DoD, NASA, USCG, FCC, and other agencies regarding existing licenses, new applications, and compliance matters
- Maintain Falcon and Dragon vehicle operator licenses, and submit modifications as necessary for these mature programs
- Support Starfall reentry vehicle licensing, including the initial license and later expansions as the vehicle, concept of operations, and payload applications evolve
- Prepare, track, and transmit mission-specific deliverables as well as licensing and permitting materials to the relevant regulatory entity
- Assist with the regulatory compliance and certification function within Falcon, Dragon, and Starfall Engineering, with a particular focus on upcoming program milestones
- Create, coordinate, and organize information across technical, reliability, mission management, Legal, Government Affairs, Environmental, and operations disciplines within SpaceX
- Closely interact with the Flight Reliability, System Safety, Change Engineering, Trajectory Analysis, and Chief Engineering teams to ensure that licensing materials are accurate and timely
- Participate in pre-flight and pre-reentry readiness reviews during launch and recovery campaigns to verify that risks are mitigated, site issues are dispositioned and verified, and critical testing and review activities are completed
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:
- Bachelor's degree in an engineering discipline
- 1+ years of experience in a system design, manufacturing, or test engineering role
PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:
- Master's degree in an engineering, physical science, or space policy discipline
- Systems engineering or system safety engineering education and experience
- Project management skills, including organizing information, concisely communicating within a team and excellent time management abilities
- Experience with multi-system engineering design
- Experience coordinating across responsible engineers and technical areas
- Able to work well in an integrated collaborative team environment, including frequent interactions with other engineers, managers, and U.S. Government agencies
- Excellent communication and writing skills, and the ability to succinctly present information and assessments
- General familiarity with the disciplines necessary for spacecraft flight including: structures; propulsion; avionics; guidance, navigation & control; flight software; dynamics; launch and mission operations; systems engineering; and integration
- Highly self-motivated with strong organizational skills – able to prioritize and execute tasks in a high-pressure environment with ongoing drive for continuous improvement in all aspects of work
- Ability to quickly grasp knowledge of a diverse range of hardware and analyses that go into making SpaceX missions reliable and successful
ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:
- Must be available to work extended hours, and weekends as needed
COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS:
Pay Range:
Level 1: $100,000.00 - $130,000.00
Level 2: $115,000.00 - $160,000.00
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 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.
