EngineeringNot provided by source

Launch and Test Engineer, Fluids

SpaceX · Not provided by source

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Last seen by MeritLog September 12, 2026Source: GreenhouseSource version: greenhouse-job-board-v1

MeritLog read this listing from SpaceX's Greenhouse job board and last checked it on September 12, 2026.

Source: the employer's Greenhouse job board. Open the original listing for current details.

Job details

Work model: Not provided by source
Salary: Not listed by source
Location: Cape Canaveral, FL

Hiring context

How this role compares at SpaceX

SpaceX has 2,405 live roles in MeritLog’s catalog across 11 job families, and 1,441 of them are in engineering. 198 of those listings publish a pay range, a disclosure rate of 8%.

SpaceX concentrates this hiring in:

Counted across the job boards MeritLog tracks, at the time this page was served. Pay comparisons use only listings that publish a complete range in the same currency and period.

What the role asks for

What you'd do

Analyze, design, and build systems that support critical rocket launches and testing
Cradle-to-grave project ownership through hosting design reviews, project decision justification, equipment procurement, and coordination and assistance of the construction of your ideas
Design modular hardware capable of being manufactured at volume for future launch sites across the world
Apply interdisciplinary engineering skills in fields of system-level process design and initial sizing, detailed pressurized fluid and thermal analysis, structural engineering, materials and component selection and cost/schedule optimization
Work directly with technicians and support groups to build your designs, and fix real-world problems on the fly
Maintain a tight feedback loop with the launch operations team to rapidly alter plans as necessary to meet tight deadlines
Activate and troubleshoot equipment to achieve design objectives and iterate system maintenance strategies to reduce future downtime
Hands-on approach to tackling daily field projects necessary to keep the company launching rockets

What they're asking for

Bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering, chemical engineering, aerospace engineering, or other engineering disciplineEducation
1+ years of hands-on build or design experience (internship, club, and competition team experience qualifies)Experience
Ability to work independently as well as part of a team, take initiative, and communicate effectivelySkillPreferred
Ability to rapidly change roles/responsibilities while maintaining a high sense of urgency in a high-paced, challenging work environmentSkillPreferred
Willingness to perform other related duties for the purpose of ensuring an efficient and effective work environmentSkillPreferred
Experience with quick-thinking and problem solving in stressful situationsSkillPreferred
Experience solving challenges posed by short deadlinesSkillPreferred
Strong fundamental intuition of fluid and/or structural/mechanical systemsSkillPreferred
Creativity to imagine and design for reliability, efficiency, and maintainability from scratchSkillPreferred
General hands-on experience; machining, welding, and other fabrication techniques is a plusSkillPreferred
Experience with instrumentation, testing, data review and analysis, verification against an analytical modelSkillPreferred
3+ years of mechanical, fluids, or thermal design experience in an industrial setting or equivalentExperiencePreferred
Experience with high pressure and cryogenic fluid systems and componentsSkillPreferred
Experience producing drawings for fabricationSkillPreferred
Collaborative team player, eager to find the best solution while balancing cost and scheduleSkillPreferred
Acute attention to detail, ability to see interactions with other systems to avoid problemsSkillPreferred
Intermediate skill level using CAD (NX a plus)SkillPreferred
Ability to verify designs with simplified hand calculations; experience in FEA or CFD is a plusSkillPreferred
American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) piping and pressure vessel design experienceSkillPreferred
Creative and passionate approach to addressing opportunities and challenges, and an enthusiastic, self-motivated, positive can-do attitudeSkillPreferred
Excellent written and verbal communication skillsSkillPreferred
Ability to respond to emergencies to support priority projects, missions, and launchesSkillPreferred

Parsed by MeritLog from the employer’s own posting. The full description follows below.

Job description

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. LAUNCH & TEST ENGINEER, FLUIDS Aggressively-paced, constantly-evolving, results-focused, real-as-it-gets engineering positions available for the ambitious. We design, build, activate, modify, improve, and maintain the fluid and mechanical systems that launch the most powerful rocket in the world. You can plan on having your skills put to the test, having hardware you designed, made, and installed the same day in a development-focused environment. From tens of thousands of gallons per minute of cryogens to tens of pounds per second of high-pressure gas, we develop clever solutions to meet the needs of a demanding launch and test program both today and for the future. RESPONSIBILITIES: • Analyze, design, and build systems that support critical rocket launches and testing • Cradle-to-grave project ownership through hosting design reviews, project decision justification, equipment procurement, and coordination and assistance of the construction of your ideas • Design modular hardware capable of being manufactured at volume for future launch sites across the world • Apply interdisciplinary engineering skills in fields of system-level process design and initial sizing, detailed pressurized fluid and thermal analysis, structural engineering, materials and component selection and cost/schedule optimization • Work directly with technicians and support groups to build your designs, and fix real-world problems on the fly • Maintain a tight feedback loop with the launch operations team to rapidly alter plans as necessary to meet tight deadlines • Activate and troubleshoot equipment to achieve design objectives and iterate system maintenance strategies to reduce future downtime • Hands-on approach to tackling daily field projects necessary to keep the company launching rockets BASIC QUALIFICATIONS: • Bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering, chemical engineering, aerospace engineering, or other engineering discipline • 1+ years of hands-on build or design experience (internship, club, and competition team experience qualifies) PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE: • Ability to work independently as well as part of a team, take initiative, and communicate effectively • Ability to rapidly change roles/responsibilities while maintaining a high sense of urgency in a high-paced, challenging work environment • Willingness to perform other related duties for the purpose of ensuring an efficient and effective work environment • Experience with quick-thinking and problem solving in stressful situations • Experience solving challenges posed by short deadlines • Strong fundamental intuition of fluid and/or structural/mechanical systems • Creativity to imagine and design for reliability, efficiency, and maintainability from scratch • General hands-on experience; machining, welding, and other fabrication techniques is a plus • Experience with instrumentation, testing, data review and analysis, verification against an analytical model • 3+ years of mechanical, fluids, or thermal design experience in an industrial setting or equivalent • Experience with high pressure and cryogenic fluid systems and components • Experience producing drawings for fabrication • Collaborative team player, eager to find the best solution while balancing cost and schedule • Acute attention to detail, ability to see interactions with other systems to avoid problems • Intermediate skill level using CAD (NX a plus) • Ability to verify designs with simplified hand calculations; experience in FEA or CFD is a plus • American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) piping and pressure vessel design experience • Creative and passionate approach to addressing opportunities and challenges, and an enthusiastic, self-motivated, positive can-do attitude • Excellent written and verbal communication skills ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS: • Ability to respond to emergencies to support priority projects, missions, and launches • Ability to pass Air Force background check for Cape Canaveral • Ability to work extended hours and weekends as needed; flexibility is required • Ability to work in extreme outdoor environments when needed – heat, cold, wind, rain, etc. • Ability to work in an environment requiring exposure to fumes, odors, and noise • Working conditions may be 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 • Ability to lift heavy objects up to 25 lbs. unassisted • Ability to work on ladders, lifts, and at elevated heights (up to 300 feet) with proper personal protective equipment (PPE) 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.

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