Trajectory Analysis Engineer (Starship)
SpaceX is hiring a Trajectory Analysis Engineer (Starship). 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.
- The posting mentions Python, C and orbital mechanics among its tools and skills.
- Level classes it as a mid-level role.
- SpaceX has 2,800+ other open roles on Level.
AI in this role
Analyze launch vehicle trajectories and spacecraft performance to ensure mission safety and objectives for Starship.
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.
TRAJECTORY ANALYSIS ENGINEER (STARSHIP)
As a Trajectory Analysis Engineer, you will be responsible for finding creative analysis solutions to enable the world’s most advanced rockets, including our next-generation Starship vehicle, a fully reusable spacecraft capable of carrying humans to Mars and beyond. You will work with a talented team of accomplished engineers to iterate on mission objectives for upcoming and future flights to ensure flight safety objectives are met. You should thrive in fast-paced, dynamic environments where you adapt quickly and love to solve hard problems.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Analyze launch vehicle trajectories and vehicle performance in the presence of faults
- Find creative flight plan solutions to enable mission objectives, while maintaining safe vehicle operation
- Generate and submit flight safety deliverables
- Produce and present trajectory analysis products for internal and external partners
- Interface with internal operations teams, flight reliability teams, hardware teams, and external regulatory partners such as the FAA.
- Engage in multi-disciplinary vehicle systems investigations to motivate mission design, vehicle architecture, and analysis methodologies
- Develop and evaluate flight termination system mission rules
- Support launch and mission operations of vehicles that you enabled
- Conduct flight data review
- Automate mission-to-mission trajectory analysis product generation
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:
- Bachelor's degree in physics or an engineering discipline
- 1+ years experience with orbital mechanics, classical dynamics, modeling, and simulation (via project team, research, internships, and/or professional experience)
- 1+ years experience with the software languages Python or C++ (via project team, research, internships, and/or professional experience)
PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:
- Demonstrated project or professional experience in launch vehicle and/or spacecraft systems
- Capable of solving complex problems with little to no supervision on schedule as an individual or as a member of an integrated team
- Experience with system trades and first-hand knowledge of how requirements tie hardware to larger systems
- Passion for advancing the commercial space industry and human spaceflight
- Excellent communication skills both written and verbal
ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:
- Must be willing to work extended hours and/or weekends as needed
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
Trajectory Analysis Engineer (Starship) 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 orbital mechanics was part of your work. What did you do?
- Tell me about a project where modeling was part of your work. What did you do?
- Tell me about a project where simulation was part of your work. What did you do?
- Tell me about a project where trajectory analysis was part of your work. What did you do?
- Walk me through how you've used Python in your day-to-day work.
Adapt your resume
- List these exact terms on your resume: Orbital Mechanics, Modeling, Simulation, Trajectory Analysis, and Python. 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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