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.
EQUIPMENT SAFETY ENGINEER
The SpaceX Bastrop Environmental Health & Safety team is seeking a highly skilled Equipment Safety Engineer to join our fast-growing Bastrop EHS Team. In this role, you will play a critical part in ensuring the safety and compliance of automated machinery and equipment across multiple production projects. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in machine safety design, risk assessment, and standards interpretation to develop and implement robust safety programs that protect employees and align with industry best practices. This position requires a proactive approach to hazard mitigation, strong collaboration with mechanical and automation engineering teams, and a commitment to continuous improvement in safety engineering.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Interpret and apply relevant international and national safety standards to evaluate equipment designs, including OSHA 29 CFR 1910.212, ANSI B11.19, ANSI/RIA R15.06, ISO 13849-1, ISO 14120, and others.
- Design and implement machine guarding solutions for automated equipment, including fixed guards, adjustable guards, and interlocking devices to prevent unauthorized access to hazardous areas.
- Perform interlock validation testing and certification for safety-related control systems, ensuring compliance with functional safety requirements and proper integration with machine operations.
- Develop and maintain internal automated machine safety standards, including creating company-specific guidelines, risk assessment methodologies, and training programs based on industrial standards and best practices.
- Conduct hazard analyses, risk assessments (e.g., using HAZOP or FMEA methods), and safety audits on new and existing equipment to identify potential risks and recommend mitigation strategies.
- Collaborate with design engineers, production teams, and external vendors to integrate safety features into equipment specifications from the conceptual stage through to commissioning and manufacturing.
- Lead safety incident investigations related to machinery, perform root cause analysis, and ensure implementation of corrective actions to prevent recurrence.
- Stay current with evolving safety regulations and standards, providing training and guidance to internal teams on compliance requirements.
- Support the preparation of technical documentation, including safety manuals, validation reports, and compliance certifications for regulatory audits.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:
- Bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, industrial engineering, or in an engineering field.
- 5+ years of experience in equipment safety engineering, with a focus on automated machinery in a manufacturing or industrial environment.
PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:
- Advanced degree.
- Proven experience in designing machine guarding systems, including selection and fabrication of guards compliant with ANSI and ISO standards.
- Hands-on experience with interlock validation, including electrical and mechanical interlock systems, and familiarity with safety PLC programming (e.g., using IEC 61131-3 standards).
- Demonstrated expertise in interpreting and applying safety standards such as ANSI B11 series, ISO 13849, ISO 14120, OSHA 1910 Subpart O (Machinery and Machine Guarding), and NFPA 79; ability to cite and reference specific clauses in design reviews.
- Experience developing internal safety standards for automated systems.
- Proficiency in safety risk assessment tools and software.
- Strong knowledge of functional safety concepts (e.g., SIL/PL ratings) and familiarity with related standards.
- Excellent problem-solving skills, attention to detail, and ability to work in a fast-paced, team-oriented environment.
- Experience in high-volume manufacturing environments, such as aerospace, automotive, or robotics.
- Professional certifications such as Certified Safety Professional (CSP), Professional Engineer (PE) in a relevant discipline, or TÜV Functional Safety Engineer are highly desirable.
- Familiarity with simulation tools for safety validation (e.g., ANSYS or MATLAB for hazard modeling).
- Strong communication skills for presenting safety findings to non-technical stakeholders and leading safety workshops.
ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:
- This is not a remote or hybrid position and will require relocation if not already local to the Bastrop, TX area.
- Position occasionally requires the ability to work extended hours and weekends when needed.
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.