Modeling and Simulation Engineer, Algorithms

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.

MODELING AND SIMULATIONS ENGINEER, ALGORITHMS

SpaceX's goal of becoming a multi-planetary species has created many platforms, systems and solutions that bring unparalleled capability to both in-space and terrestrial regimes. Falcon 9, Falcon Heavy, Starlink, Dragon, and Starship are game-changing systems in and of themselves. When used together in creative ways, they can create even greater capabilities for space exploration, satellite refueling, constellation replenishment, and other related missions.

In this role, you will contribute to a modeling and simulation effort for various launch vehicles, spacecraft, and sensors, developing and applying cutting edge mission planning, optimization, and performance analysis algorithms for a wide variety of space missions. You will build on existing Machine Learning capabilities, but also explore broader application of algorithms spanning the gamut of numerical methods, such as non-linear or integer programming, stochastic optimization, statistics and control theory, and Kalman filters.

The modeling and simulation team itself is a mesh of many other fields (e.g. Aerospace Engineering, Software Engineering, etc.) and frequently collaborates across functional disciplines, offering a unique opportunity to work with many areas.

You will have great latitude to be creative, conceiving and testing various approaches to determine which is best suited to meet technical and programmatic objectives. You will work with multi-disciplinary team to recommend approaches, and support the development of operational concepts and the interfaces at the mission, segment, system, and sub-system levels. You will identify key performance parameters and constraints to enable mission success and future capabilities.

We are looking for engineers who enjoy solving complex problems, can work effectively in a fast-paced environment and are passionate about advancing the space industry. This is a high impact role that contributes to SpaceX mission to get humans to Mars

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Develop cutting edge algorithms and perform analyses of various architectures that include space vehicles, satellites, sensors, communications, and ground infrastructure, evolving or creating new approaches based on analysis results
• Create a library of algorithms and system models of space and ground systems, for inclusion in the simulation environment
• Evaluate the effectivity of various approaches, balancing mission objectives against factors such as development and operational costs
• Communicate across engineering disciplines and technology areas to integrate capabilities you identify as the most beneficial to SpaceX
• Knit large variety of models and algorithms / methods together to solve complex multi-agent mission planning problems
• Communicate technical capabilities and analyses with internal stakeholders and external customers
• Play an integral part of an agile team that will continuously iterate on spacecraft and mission design through all phases of the program

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor's degree in an engineering discipline, mathematics, or physics
• Experience using open-source machine learning libraries such as Tensorflow, PyTorch or scikit-learn
• Experience with optimization theory and techniques such as least squares, sequential quadratic programming, annealing, and genetic algorithms
• Experience with Python and/or C++

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:

• Master's degree in mathematics, physics or an engineering discipline
• Capability to solve complex problems with little to no supervision on schedule as an individual or as a member of an integrated team
• Experience developing and applying algorithms used in production software managed by a multi-disciplinary engineering team
• Background in multi-agent optimization or mission planning
• Experience with non-linear programming and statistics such as multi-variate distributions, hypotheses checking, and chi–squared
• Experience building and training cutting edge reinforcement learning models
• Demonstrated professional experience in kalman filter design
• Demonstrated professional experience in high performance / parallel computing
• Background in space system design or operations
• Passion for advancing the commercial space industry and human spaceflight
• Excellent communication skills both written and verbal

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS

• Must be able to obtain and maintain an active TS or TS/SCI clearance. Note that an active clearance may provide the opportunity for you to work on sensitive SpaceX missions. If so, you will be subject to pre-employment drug and random drug and alcohol testing
• Must be available to work extended hours and weekends as needed
• Must be able to travel <10% of the time

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS:    
    
Pay range:    
Modeling and Simulation Engineer/Level I: $120,000.00 - $145,000.00/per year    
Modeling and Simulation Engineer/Level II: $140,000.00 - $170,000.00/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 & long-term disability insurance, life insurance, paid parental leave, and various other discounts and perks. You may also accrue 3 weeks of paid vacation & will be eligible for 10 or more paid holidays per year. Exempt employees are eligible for 5 days of sick leave per year. 

ITAR REQUIREMENTS:

• To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) you must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the U.S., protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or 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 notify the Human Resources Department at (310) 363-6000.