Field Engineer (Gas/Steam Turbines)
SpaceX is hiring a Field Engineer (Gas/Steam Turbines). Level rates it ; you can apply on SpaceX.
Level's read on this job
- Level rates this role Little AI ●○○○: aI is not part of the work.
- Tools and skills the posting cites include mechanical engineering, turbines and commissioning.
- Level classifies it as a mid-level role.
- Level lists 2,800+ other open roles at SpaceX.
AI in this role
Support power plant development by managing rotating equipment integration from specification through commissioning.
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.
FIELD ENGINEER (GAS/STEAM TURBINES)
SpaceX is looking for a Field Engineer who can support power plant development by owning the rotating equipment integration scope from technical specification through equipment selection, interface management, construction and into commissioning. You’ll work across gas turbines, steam turbines, and HRSGs. This is not a desk job. You will be constructing the power plant, owning commissioning in the control room during startup, and in the field troubleshooting.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Develop technical specifications for gas turbines, steam turbines, HRSGs, and associated auxiliaries (lube oil systems, gas fuel skids, SCR/CO catalyst systems)
- Lead technical evaluation of OEM proposals (GE, Siemens Energy, Mitsubishi Power, Doosan) and drive equipment selection recommendations
- Own mechanical interface management between major equipment packages — turbine, generator, HRSG, steam turbine, condenser, and balance of plant systems
- Review and approve OEM drawings, GA layouts, and P&IDs for technical compliance and constructibility
- Support foundation and structural design coordination with civil/structural engineering, including dynamic loading and vibration criteria
- Work with EPC and OEM to resolve technical interface issues (piping stress, thermal expansion, casing supports, lube oil routing) before they hit the field
- Participate in factory acceptance testing (FAT) at OEM facilities
- Support commissioning and startup activities on-site, including mechanical checkout, alignment verification, and vibration baseline testing
- Develop technical basis for spare parts strategy and critical rotating equipment spares
- Travel to OEM factories, fabrication shops, and the construction site as needed
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:
- Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related engineering discipline
- 2+ years of experience with utility-scale rotating equipment: gas turbines, steam turbines, HRSGs, or large industrial compressors/pumps
PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:
- Working knowledge of rotating equipment fundamentals: rotor dynamics, bearing design, lube oil systems, thermal expansion, and alignment
- Experience with mechanical specification development and technical bid evaluation for major equipment packages
- Direct experience with F-class or H-class gas turbines (GE 7/9FA/HA, Siemens SGT6/8, Mitsubishi M501/701, Doosan H-class)
- Experience with HRSG design review — drum internals, superheater/reheater arrangement, SCR integration
- Familiarity with API 611/612/616/617 standards for rotating equipment
- Experience with vibration analysis, rotor dynamics software, or finite element analysis for rotating machinery
- Factory acceptance test (FAT) experience at an OEM turbine or generator facility
- Field commissioning experience: alignment, mechanical run tests, vibration baselining
- Comfort working directly with OEM engineering teams to resolve technical disputes under schedule pressure
- Experience using SOLIDWORKS, Siemens NX, or similar CAD software
- Knowledge of engineering standards and best practices such as ASME B31.3, ASME BPV Code Section VIII, and AFSPCMAN 91-710
ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:
- Must be available to work extended hours and weekends when needed based on site operational needs; flexibility required
- Willingness to travel to job sites during construction, commissioning, and critical operational events
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.
How we rate this
Field Engineer (Gas/Steam Turbines) at SpaceX rates 0 out of 100 for how much of the daily work is AI. That makes it Little AI (AI Level 1 of 4). The level is about AI in the job, not seniority.
Little AI. AI is not part of the work.
- ●●●● Builds AI80 to 100
- ●●●○ Works on AI60 to 79
- ●●○○ Uses AI40 to 59
- ●○○○ Little AI0 to 39
Levels come from how often the tools, models and workflows of the role are named in the posting itself. Read the description and count the AI tools, models and workflows it names.
Prepare for this job
Built from this posting and from similar jobs on Level.
Skills and AI tools this role asks for
Questions you could be asked
- Tell me about a project where mechanical engineering was part of your work. What did you do?
- Tell me about a project where turbines was part of your work. What did you do?
- Tell me about a project where commissioning was part of your work. What did you do?
- Tell me about a project where rotating equipment was part of your work. What did you do?
Adapt your resume
- List these exact terms on your resume: Mechanical Engineering, Turbines, Commissioning, and Rotating Equipment. An applicant tracking system matches the wording, not the idea.
- Attach one line of real, concrete experience to at least one of them. A tool named with nothing behind it rarely survives a human read.
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