Launch Reliability Engineer
SpaceXVandenberg, CA$100k – $115kPosted 7 April 2026
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 RELIABILITY ENGINEER
The Launch Reliability Engineer is the advocate for mission assurance at the launch site by promoting efficient and reliable operational processes. You will partner with Flight Reliability, Launch Reliability, and Launch Operations teams at SpaceX to ensure mission success as SpaceX marches towards manned spaceflight and Mars colonization. You will also have the opportunity to work on diverse projects including our Falcon 9, Dragon and Starship programs.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
Reliably launch astronauts and other payloads by ensuring vehicle, payload, and spacecraft processing is efficiently designed and executed
Interact with the various disciplines responsible for the development and build of Falcon 9, Dragon, Starship, etc., and launch pad systems to ensure optimized process health
Identify high-risk processes and problems during vehicle processing or refurbishment, and proactively implement improvements to these processes to ensure operational excellence
Find smart solutions to the biggest problems by leading root cause and corrective action investigations
Determine high-risk processes and problems during vehicle processing or refurbishment, and proactively implement improvements to these processes to ensure operational excellence
Maintain a feedback loop to drive hardware inputs that enable a reliable and rapid launch cadence; using data to make the quality landscape transparent and drive prioritization of resolving high-impact issues
Participate in preliminary design review (PDR)/critical design review (CDR) and work with design reliability to ensure design for quality (DFQ), design for manufacturability (DFM), risk quantification/mitigation, and that appropriate test validation methods and inspection techniques, including nondestructive evaluation methods have been considered
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:
Bachelor’s degree in an engineering discipline or physics
1+ years of professional or internship experience in a quality, manufacturing, or design engineering role
PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:
Bachelor’s degree in an engineering discipline (e.g. aerospace, mechanical, etc.)
Experience supporting production of complex electro-mechanical, mechanical or composites systems in high volume work centers and/or during production ramp-up
Knowledge of quality tools such as Lean principles, Six Sigma, root cause analysis and corrective action, advanced product quality planning (APQP), metrology, process failure mode and effects analysis (PFMEA), control plans, and various problem solving approaches
Dedicated to adopting a Lean approach to quality without compromising safety or reliability
ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:
Ability to pass Air Force background check for Vandenberg Space Force Base
Available to work extended hours, nights, and weekends when required by mission milestones
Ability to work 1st shift: Nominal work hours 7:00am - 5:00pm
COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS:
Pay range:
Launch Reliability Engineer/Level I: $100,000.00 - $115,000.00/per year Launch Reliability Engineer/Level II: $110,000.00 - $135,000.00/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 cover ... (truncated, view full listing at source)
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