> Markdown version of [/jobs/ext/1949775-design-reliability-engineer-falcon-dragon](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/jobs/ext/1949775-design-reliability-engineer-falcon-dragon). Every page supports `.md` or `Accept: text/markdown`. Links point to the HTML versions so they work for humans too. Agent guide: [/agents.md](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/agents.md). --- # Design Reliability Engineer (Falcon & Dragon) - **Company:** Space Exploration Technologies Corp. - **Location:** Hawthorne, CA, United States - **Salary:** $100,000.0 - $130,000.0 - **Contract:** Permanent contract - **Skills:** Microsoft Excel, Abaqus, Data Analysis, Computer Engineering, Python (Programming Language), MATLAB, Nastran (Computer-Aided Design Software), Scripting, Ansys, Visual Basic Language - **Published:** August 6, 2026 - **Apply:** https://diversityjobs.com/main/sendform/8/8/28176/1/17833896?backUrl=%2Fcareer%2F17833896%2FDesign-Reliability-Engineer-Falcon-Dragon-California-Hawthorne ## About the Role * Bachelor's degree in an engineering discipline * 1+ years of professional experience in a hardware engineering role PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE: * Master's degree in an engineering discipline * Hardware experience performing fabrication, assembly, and/or testing - can be in a professional, academic, or recreational setting * Experience with aircraft, launch vehicles, spacecraft, or other aerospace systems * Experience with at least one commercial FEA package (NASTRAN, ABAQUS, or ANSYS) * Hardware ownership on an award-winning engineering project or competition team (FSAE, Design-Build-Fly, NASA Student Launch, etc.) * Experience with electromechanical system design, analysis, testing, and fabrication for use in high-performance or safety critical applications * Hands on experience with various industry standard manufacturing tools, techniques and processes, including mills, lathes, electronics assembly, composite layup, etc. * Experience with material selection and make vs. buy decisions for system components * Scripting and data analysis experience using Visual Basic, Matlab, Python and Excel, * 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. ## Description The SpaceX engineering teams tackle space exploration's most challenging problems by developing our reusable launch vehicles (Falcon 9, Falcon Heavy) and spacecraft (Crew & Cargo Dragon). These vehicles are responsible for delivering satellites into orbit, crew, and cargo to the ISS, and they will be instrumental in extending humanity's reach to the moon, Mars, and beyond. The design criteria & reliability team is responsible for ensuring that flight hardware and operations lead to the successful completion of missions while meeting or exceeding design requirements. We perform a unique engineering role, evaluating and guiding engineering designs from concept to flight. We facilitate cross-disciplinary action and problem-solving across all SpaceX programs and staff., * Ensure that the SpaceX design process and design criteria/requirements are being followed for flight, launch, and recovery systems * Provide critical peer review and approval of hardware designs during design reviews, and of acceptance and qualification test campaigns * Develop design criteria, requirements, and verification approaches for new systems * Setup new processes to enable reliable aircraft-like operations of launch vehicles and spacecraft * Drive improvements to vehicle design by being closely integrated with hardware teams. * Review vehicle changes to ensure all hardware and operations are qualified * Develop specialized design and analysis tools for other engineering groups, * Must be available to work long hours and weekends as necessary ## Related Videos - [Robots are coming into the wild! Full-Stack Robotics Engineers, be ready!](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/479-robots-are-coming-into-the-wild-full-stack-robotics-engineers-be-ready) - [Leveraging Large Language Models for Legacy Code Translation: Challenges and Solutions](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/1157-leveraging-large-language-models-for-legacy-code-translation-challenges-and-solutions) - [Cloud Vendor Lock-In - Is it just a new version of the Database Abstraction Layers?](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/1185-cloud-vendor-lock-in-is-it-just-a-new-version-of-the-database-abstraction-layers) - [Building a hypercar from scratch](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/607-building-a-hypercar-from-scratch) - [Your next 10x engineer isn't in your city. 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