Sr. Propulsion Analyst, Chamber and Nozzle (Raptor)
Company websitespacex.com (SpaceX, opens in new tab)
Base salary $135K to $215K
Employer-published annual base salary, USD. Advertised base range in Hawthorne, CA
You apply on the employer's own site. Six Figure Work does not handle applications.
- LocationHawthorne, CA
- WorkplaceWorkplace not stated
- Status at last checkSource accepting applications when checked
- Last checked (2 h ago) · observed since
About this job
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.
SR. PROPULSION ANALYST, CHAMBER AND NOZZLE (RAPTOR)
Raptor Structural Analysts ensure that the world's most advanced rocket engine is capable of withstanding extreme pressures, temperatures, vibrations, accelerations, and aerodynamic loading from liftoff to landing. These engineers have a keen eye for detail and complex physics that enable successful performance of Starship's engines. If you possess an affinity for physics, structural mechanics, advanced computing, and unraveling intricate challenges while working with engine hardware, this Chamber and Nozzle focused role may be for you!
RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Conduct, document, and present static, thermal, dynamic, and fatigue/fracture analyses for Raptor Chamber and Nozzle through Finite Element Analysis (FEA) and first principles to ensure performance requirements are met
- Output requirements and capabilities for assemblies for all phases of flight
- Collaborate in driving necessary analyses throughout engine component design cycles
- Ensure model predictions are grounded in reality through a practical hands-on approach
- Work closely with hardware and test teams to drive model anchoring and design improvements
- Mentor less experienced engineers on analysis best practices
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:
- Bachelor’s degree in an engineering discipline or Physics
- 5+ years of professional experience in a structural analysis field
PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:
- Master’s degree in mechanical engineering, aerospace engineering, materials engineering, or physics
- Proficient in statics, mechanics of materials, fatigue, dynamics, and/or heat transfer
- Experience with FEA setup and post-processing
- Able to perform hand-calculations to validate and improve models
- Hands-on experience with rocket engines/motors, automotive engine design, or similar complex fluid and structural systems
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
- Able to deliver on tight schedules
Pay Range:
Level 3: $135,000.00 - $215,000.00
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 [email protected].
Source: SpaceX on Greenhouse · View original posting (opens in new tab)
Pay in context
This role's base floor ($135,000) is above 34% of the 3,579 Engineering (non-software) roles in California listed on this site; 43 others list the same floor. Their median floor is $147,000; the middle half runs from $125,000 to $173,000.
Only jobs on this site count, and each one publishes a base salary of $100,000 or more, so this compares six-figure jobs with each other, not with the whole market. Computed Nov 8, 2026.
This listingSr. Propulsion Analyst, Chamber and Nozzle (Raptor)$135K to $215K
Software Engineer, Starlink Network$135K to $185K
Sr. Manufacturing Engineer, Machining (Starship)$135K to $190K
Software Infrastructure Engineer (Starlink)$135K to $185K
Software Engineer, Platform / Infrastructure (Starlink)$135K to $185K
Antenna Engineer (Starshield)$135K to $195K
Sr. Mechanical Engineer (HVAC)$135K to $190K
Chart as a table
| Role | Published base |
|---|---|
| Sr. Propulsion Analyst, Chamber and Nozzle (Raptor) (this listing) | $135K - $215K |
| Software Engineer, Starlink Network | $135K - $185K |
| Sr. Manufacturing Engineer, Machining (Starship) | $135K - $190K |
| Software Infrastructure Engineer (Starlink) | $135K - $185K |
| Software Engineer, Platform / Infrastructure (Starlink) | $135K - $185K |
| Antenna Engineer (Starshield) | $135K - $195K |
| Sr. Mechanical Engineer (HVAC) | $135K - $190K |
Observed changes
- Began meeting the published-salary criteria
- First observed on the employer's board
- Observed since
- Employer-stated posting date
- 2026-08-13
Where this pay comes from
Location as the employer wrote it: Hawthorne, CA
Level 3: $135,000.00 - $215,000.00
- Method
- Employer text, read with fixed rules and re-verified
- Checked
- Rule set
- us-base-v2
The pay passage appears in the employer's own job text. Fixed, deterministic rules located it, and the passage below was checked against the stored copy of the posting.
What we verified
- The pay figures come from the employer's own listing, quoted exactly above.
- The pay is an annual base salary in US dollars with a minimum of at least $100,000.
- The role was publicly listed on the employer's job board when last checked.
We do not verify what the employer will actually offer, whether the employer is still recruiting for the role, or anything beyond what the employer published. Full methodology.
