LEAD ELECTRICAL ENGINEER (CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE) 

As a member of the critical infrastructure team, you will lead a team of electrical engineers to design, build, and activate the infrastructure that will enable orbital launch capability for the largest rocket in the world. This role will participate, coordinate, and execute infrastructure projects as well as provide support to the operations and maintenance of facilities, equipment, and utilities.  

You will be the subject matter expert on all electrical components and systems that support production and operations in Hawthorne. This includes engineering support for design, operation, and troubleshooting of the entire facility, while overseeing electrical installations and maintenance activities.  You will have the opportunity to utilize your knowledge, experience, and creativity to develop novel solutions at the cutting edge of space technology. This role involves the design, analysis, testing, and manufacturing of electrical system elements. You will work with other construction engineers, architects, and internal customers to support these goals and have the opportunity to drive real global impact, ultimately leading to making life multiplanetary. The position is based in Hawthorne, CA. 

 RESPONSIBILITIES: 

• Lead a team of engineers and personnel responsible for all power systems operations at the SpaceX Hawthorne facility, dedicated to ensuring zero unplanned interruption in services to employees and customers with the ability to support other sites when needed.  


• Lead and mentor a team of electrical engineers, focused on the development, value engineering, and construction of SpaceX site facilities.  


• Develop and train direct reports to enable extreme ownership and empowered decision making.  


• Work in a team environment with other engineering disciplines to provide detailed electrical design and specification for the installation of the following equipment and systems: 
  
  
  
  • Electrical power distribution systems. 
  
  
  • Switch-gear and motor control centers. 
  
  
  • Exterior and interior lighting. 
  
  
  • Ground support system controls and ladder logic. 
  
  
  • Uninterruptible power supply (UPS) units. 
  
  
  • Standby and emergency generators. 
  
  
  • Automatic transfer switches. 
  
  
  • Power monitoring hardware and software. 
  
  
  • Data/phone distribution and wiring. 
  
  
  • Building and site grounding systems. 
  
  
  • Fire alarm systems and lightning protection systems. 
  
  
  
  


• Manage a large portfolio of projects in multiple stages of design and construction. 


• Delegate tasks to engineers and hold them accountable for achieving results and deadlines. 


• Be the point-of-contact for leadership to ask questions on project schedules and blockers, and be able to provide guidance and re-direction of tasks. 


• Provide engineering support for the design, operation, and troubleshooting of all the facility's electrical components and systems, including: 
  
  
  
  • Load flow analysis of electrical power distribution systems. 
  
  
  • Electrical equipment evaluation. 
  
  
  • Building and facility equipment grounding. 
  
  
  • Power monitoring hardware and software. 
  
  
  
  


• Provide electrical engineering support to facility technicians to troubleshoot existing electrical equipment and controllers. 


• Ensure that all equipment interfaces properly with other mechanical and electrical systems, including compatibility with facility power budgets. 


• Ensure designs are manufacturable and reliable; work with the production team to ensure a smooth transition to a reliable manufacturing process that has minimal design engineering sustainment engineering required. 


• Ensure all electrical designs and installations conform to applicable codes and regulations. 


• Material selection, sizing and procurement support. 


• Provide electrical engineering support to facility technicians to troubleshoot existing mechanical equipment and controls.  


• Provide code review and analysis utilizing NFPA 70E, NFPA 70 NEC, NFPA 497, NFPA 101, Vol 5 & 6 AFSPCMAN 91-710, and IBC. 

  BASIC QUALIFICATIONS: 

• Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering. 


• 3+ years of professional experience in a similar role working on power distribution systems, switchgear, UPS's, and generators. 

  PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE: 

• 3+ years of years of leadership experience, either leading people or multi discipline complex projects. 


• Professional Engineering (PE) license. 


• Ability to read and understand power and control schematics. 


• Ability to read and understand highly technical equipment operation and maintenance (O&M) manuals. 


• Experience with variable frequency drives (VFDs) and industrial pumps. 


• Experience with controls in MODBUS communication. 


• Experience with medium voltage distribution. 


• Experience with control panel design and production. 


• Working knowledge of power coordination and arc flash. 


• Ability to work on multiple tasks concurrently. 


• High level of self-motivation, with the ability to work under minimal supervision. 


• Good organizational skills. 


• Ability to prioritize and schedule workload. 


• Strong written and verbal communication skills. 

  ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS: 

• This is not a remote or hybrid position and will require relocation if not already local to the Hawthorne, CA area. 


• Position occasionally requires the ability to work extended hours and weekends when needed. 

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS:    
    
Pay range:    

Electrical Engineer/Lead: $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.