Sr. Environmental Regulatory Engineer (Air Quality Compliance)

Sr. Environmental Regulatory Engineer (Air Quality Compliance)

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.

At SpaceX, we're on a mission to make humanity multiplanetary. Our Starbase facility in Boca Chica, Texas, and our operations at Cape Canaveral, Florida, are key hubs for Starship and Falcon development, where we're building and testing the world's most advanced rockets to enable human exploration of Mars. As part of our Regulatory Team, you'll play a critical role in ensuring our operations comply with environmental regulations, allowing us to innovate at unprecedented speed while protecting the environment.

We're seeking a highly experienced Senior Environmental Engineer specializing in air quality compliance. In this role, you'll lead efforts to maintain compliance with the Clean Air Act and other federal, state, and local air quality regulations for our emission-generating activities, including rocket testing, manufacturing, and support operations. Your expertise will help us navigate complex permitting processes and implement best practices to minimize environmental impact.

Responsibilities:

• Advise engineering and operations teams on cost-effective and time-efficient strategies to achieve and maintain air quality compliance, integrating regulatory requirements into design, testing, and production processes
• Identify when air permits are required and lead the preparation and submission of applications for Title V operating permits, Prevention of Significant Deterioration (PSD) permits, and other technical air permits, including renewals and modifications
• Develop and implement strategies to ensure ongoing compliance with the Clean Air Act (CAA), including National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS), New Source Performance Standards (NSPS), and National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP)
• Conduct emissions inventories, dispersion modeling, and risk assessments for emission-generating equipment, including natural gas equipment and power generation (e.g., turbines, boilers)
• Interface with regulatory agencies (e.g., EPA, TCEQ, FDEP) during inspections, audits, and negotiations to resolve compliance issues and advocate for innovative permitting approaches
• Stay abreast of evolving air quality regulations and emerging technologies for emission reduction, recommending proactive measures to enhance sustainability at our facilities
• Support environmental impact assessments for new projects and expansions, ensuring alignment with SpaceX's rapid iteration and innovation goals

Basic Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in environmental engineering, chemical engineering, or a related field; advanced degree preferred
• 7+ years of experience in air quality compliance, with experience identifying permitting needs and obtaining Title V, PSD, and other complex air permits in industrial settings

Preferred Skills and Experience:

• Professional Engineer (PE) license or Certified Air Pollution Control Specialist (CAPCS) certification
• Deep knowledge of the Clean Air Act and associated regulations, including hands-on experience maintaining compliance for emission-generating equipment in high-impact industries such as oil and gas and power generation
• Proficiency in air quality modeling tools (e.g., AERMOD), emissions calculation methodologies, and monitoring technologies
• Experience in oil & gas, aerospace, manufacturing, or heavy industrial operations with unique emission sources (e.g., combustion testing)
• Familiarity with Texas- or Florida-specific regulations (e.g., TCEQ or FDEP requirements) and federal programs like Risk Management Plans (RMP) or Maximum Achievable Control Technology (MACT)
• Demonstrated success in implementing emission reduction strategies, such as low-NOx technologies or carbon capture initiatives
• Passion for space exploration and a willingness to work in a hands-on, mission-driven culture
• Strong analytical skills with experience in data analysis, reporting, and regulatory submittals
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to collaborate across teams and present technical information to non-experts
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic environment with shifting priorities and tight deadlines

Additional Requirements:

• Willingness to travel approximately 20% of the time
• Must be willing to work extended hours or/and weekends as needed
• This position is based in Starbase, TX and requires being onsite remote work not considered