Sr. Lightning Effects Engineer, Direct and Indirect

Sr. Lightning Effects Engineer

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.

As a member of our fast-paced electromagnetic environmental effects (E3) team, you will be responsible for ensuring avionics hardware performance through some of the harshest and varied electromagnetic environments imaginable. Your explicit goal will be ensuring that our orbital class boosters and spacecraft are designed to handle direct and indirect effects of lightning phenomena. The E3 team at SpaceX performs exhaustive analysis, design, and test at the board, unit, subsystem, and system levels with extensive opportunity to interact with a vast array of rocket, spacecraft, and ground support equipment hardware and electronics. As one of the few teams required to interface with the design, manufacturing, integration, and mission operations teams, they play a critical role in the development of SpaceX systems as we advance our efforts towards broadband satellite internet and safe, reliable, inexpensive, and innovative access to space with the fundamental goal of expanding human space exploration capabilities.

Responsibilities:

• Perform lightning zoning analysis and design SpaceX orbital vehicles to survive lightning direct and indirect effects including propulsion systems, recovery systems, autonomous flight safety systems, solar arrays, structures, avionics, ground support equipment, RF and communications systems, TVS sizing, structural design, grounding and bonding
• Work directly with the FAA and Flight Safety Range to coordinate on Falcon and Starship launch licensing for Lightning Launch Commit Criteria and related crewed vehicle efforts applying principles and approach of commercial aviation lightning certification including RTCA/DO160G, SAE ARP (5412A, 5413, 5414A, 5415, 5416A), MIL-STD-461, 464
• Perform analysis and design relating to effects of lightning including circuit and power system grounding architectures, structural electrical bonding, circuit isolation, transfer impedance, shielding effectiveness, near field/far field electrodynamics, arc flash, etc.
• Design and perform direct and indirect effects testing on structural components and avionics subsystems to verify lightning robustness
• Generate control plans, test plans and test reports as needed
• Troubleshoot EMI issues from board to system level

Basic Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering, physics, or other engineering discipline
• 5+ years of experience in electromagnetic environmental effects
• Experience programming in Python

Preferred Skills and Experience:

• 7+ years of E3 work experience, including EMI/EMC requirements, analysis, design, and testing
• Previous work experience with SAE ARP lightning specifications, DO160G, MIL-STD-461, MIL-STD-464, NFPA -780 (DO-160 training and/or certification credentials)
• Knowledge of lightning electromagnetic effects on commercial aircraft, space vehicles, and launch vehicles, including effects of grounding/bonding/shielding, composites, HIRF, electromagnetic field coupling, Maxwell's equations, image charge/current, and lumped element modeling
• Previous work experience with reading, interpreting and following: circuit schematics, PCB layouts, engineering drawings, BOMs, cable harnesses, wiring schematics, interface diagrams, layout drawings, mechanical drawings and CAD software
• Demonstrated experience troubleshooting EMI/EMC events from board to system level
• Experience with computational methods CST, HFSS, EMA3D or other EM solvers and circuit analysis tools (Spice, TouchStone or equivalent)
• Experience in a fast-paced work environment with production/flight hardware
• Able to adapt to constantly changing work assignments
• Excellent concentration and attention to detail with outstanding work efficiency and accuracy
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills

Additional Requirements:

• Extended hours and weekend work may be required to support critical project and mission milestones

Compensation and Benefits:

Pay range: Sr. Lightning Effects Engineer/Senior: $130,000.00 - $180,000.00/per year 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, stock options, 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.

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.