Sr. Industrial Designer at
SpaceX

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.

 

SR. INDUSTRIAL DESIGNER

With the advancement of space flight and introduction of crew to SpaceX vehicles, it is imperative that its products communicate professionalism, efficiency, and innovation while inspiring generations of people. The key challenge of this role is that aesthetics design process within the aerospace industry is relatively new and uncharted territory. There are several sub-teams within the design team at SpaceX with different focus areas. Using industrial design best practices, SpaceX designers will deliver products that inspire the world while meeting the needs of engineering, manufacturing, and operations. Design team members will also be fundamental in education and implementation of design process elements such as digital modeling, scale model prototyping, and theme development, and production integration. Positions are available for spacecraft interior and exterior design.

 

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Create and execute design solutions for problems of form, usability, physical ergonomics, marketing, and brand development
• Provide illustrations to quickly communicate design trades and support engineering milestones
• Support engineering department with class-a surfacing and sketch models ranging from broad design themes to component-level design
• Collaborate with the fabrication team to complete prototypes
• Aid and develop prototyping process within SpaceX which meets engineering and program milestones and provides operations with testing properties
• Work with CMF designers to create designs that consider the opportunities and limits of the color and trim vision, and work with them to create a unified vision for the designs
• Work with suppliers to achieve the best possible product in terms of craftsmanship, cost, and engineering, while also staying as close to the design vision as possible

 

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor's degree in a design discipline
• 10+ years professional experience in transportation/industrial design in a production environment
• 10+ years professional digital modeling experience with a 3D modeling platform (such as IG, NX)

 

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:

• 5+ years professional experience with advanced design programs at OEM
• 5+ years of experience working in an integrated team, including daily interactions with technicians, engineers, or production
• 5+ years of experience managing large assembly models and tracking historical data
• 5+ years of experience creating and maintaining cross-functional working relationships and communicating design concepts
• Exceptional design, visualization and graphic skills
• Ability to verbally and graphically communicate design concepts
• Excellent judgment of design proportions and proposals
• Ability to work well in an integrated team including daily interactions with technicians, engineers, and managers
• Advanced technical knowledge of prototyping, manufacturing, and assembly processes
• Ability to transform 2D to 3D modeling and to manage large assembly models
• Proven ability to create and maintain cross-functional working relationships, communicate design concepts, and to deliver successful designs under tight timing constraints

 

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS:

Pay range:

Sr. Industrial Designer: $125,000.00 - $175,000.00/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. 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.