New Graduate Engineer, Civil/Structural (Starship)
- No experience required
- US citizenship
- ITAR / US person
How this pay compares
This posting does not state its pay. Open mechanical engineer jobs in Texas post a median of $132k a year, the middle half $101k–$168k, across 10 jobs that state their pay.
About the 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. ## NEW GRADUATE ENGINEER, CIVIL/STRUCTURAL (STARSHIP) Our Starbase team is working on the toughest and most audacious project on our planet: making humanity multiplanetary.
Our team is designing, building, and activating the civil and structural infrastructure that enables high-volume rocket production, launch pad operations, and Starbase's growth as a world-class facility. Our civil and structural engineers design, analyze, and deliver steel and concrete structures, site development, utilities, and launch infrastructure across the Starship program.
Expect a dynamic role where you do what you’re best at. Whatever your skill set, you’ll be aligned to the part of the program you’re most effectively able to contribute to (structural design and analysis, civil site development, construction management, drafting, or field engineering).
If you are a high-performing engineer, want to immerse yourself in never-before-solved challenges, and are excited to put in the effort to make this goal a reality, we want to hear from you. ## RESPONSIBILITIES - Own the design and development of civil and structural systems for next-generation launch pads, production facilities, and site infrastructure - Develop and issue drawings, design documentation, and reports for aerospace, industrial, commercial, and residential-type projects - Perform civil and structural design and analysis calculations for structural steel and concrete - Perform calculations necessary for grading and drainage, stormwater control facilities, water quality, domestic water distribution, and other underground utilities - Collaborate with interdisciplinary teams to ensure civil and structural designs integrate with all Starship systems and support necessary mission operations - Provide direct onsite engineering inspections and field observations; resolve design and construction conflicts in the field in real time - Partner with engineering, construction, and production teams to generate ideas, designs, and improvements for current and next-generation infrastructure - Own large business outcomes ## BASIC QUALIFICATIONS - Graduating with a bachelor’s degree, master’s degree, or PhD in 2027 - Degree in civil engineering, structural engineering, mechanical engineering, or a related engineering discipline - 1+ years of civil or structural design, analysis, construction, or drafting experience via project team, research, internships, and/or professional experience ## PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE - Strong ability to use data and analysis to make fast data-driven decisions - Ability to perform trade studies and make clear recommendations using first principles and engineering fundamentals even with partial information.
Strong understanding of engineering fundamentals - Experience creating structural detail drawings in AutoCAD, Revit, NX, SolidWorks, or similar drafting programs - Experience with SAP2000, STAAD Pro, RISA-3D, ETABS, or similar analysis software - Knowledge of American Institute of Steel Construction (AISC) steel manual, American Concrete Institute (ACI) code 318, American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) 7, and International Building Codes (IBC) - Proficiency in technical skills in stormwater management, hydraulics, hydrological analysis, grading, and other site development-related designs - Understanding of other disciplines such as mechanical, electrical, piping, geotechnical, and surveying - Experience working at a nimble engineering organization or in a highly technical position that required a scrappy, entrepreneurial manner to accomplish tasks with tight time or budget constraints - Excelled in ultra-competitive environments.
You’ve nailed a podium finish in engineering, math, or science competitions, achieved scores in the top percentile of scholastic or standardized tests, or demonstrated other incredible feats of intellectual achievement - Experience building hardware or have a passion for contributing to a work product that operates in the real world - Succeeded in multiple endeavors at once; maybe you worked through college, were a student athlete, or demonstrated strong work or academic performance in multiple fields - Demonstrated rapid growth; you’ve held successive positions of increasing responsibility within an organization, were able to get yourself up to speed at a heroic pace, and accomplished something meaningfully difficult early in your career - Demonstrated resilience and the ability to overcome failure or extreme odds.
Many critics would say that our goals are impossible, but this isn’t the first time we’ve proven that highly improbable goals like reusable rockets can become possible ## ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS - Ability to work extended hours and weekends as necessary - Ability and willingness to relocate to Starbase, TX (Brownsville, TX area) - Stand: Up to 3 hours per day - Sit: Up to 6 hours per day - Push/Pull: Up to 50lbs.
(unassisted) Up to 15 minutes per day - Overhead reach: Up to 3 hours per day - Walk: Up to 3 hours per day - Lift/Carry: Up to 25lbs.
(unassisted) Up to 15 minutes per day - Climb (ladder/stairs): Up to 1 hour per day - Kneel/Crouch: N/A - Upper body twist: N/A - Ability to work in temperatures over 80 degrees: up to 30 minutes per day - Candidate must be capable of safely working at heights (up to 500ft), in confined spaces, using an air-purifying respirator, and performing the physical requirements of the job listed in the job description - Candidate may be required to complete a pre-employment questionnaire and/or physical to confirm these capabilities, which may include a medical history review ## 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 .
From SpaceX's job posting, checked 7 Nov 2026. The employer's own page is the final word on requirements and availability.
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About SpaceX
Designs, manufactures and launches advanced rockets and spacecraft.
Pay on its listings: 53.2% of its open jobs state an hourly rate
How it pays: Paid as an employee on SpaceX's own payroll (salaried or hourly, as each posting states).
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