Meteorologist (Launch Operations)

Job description

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. METEOROLOGIST (LAUNCH OPERATIONS) RESPONSIBILITIES Serve as Launch Weather Officer (LWO) for orbital launch, return-to-launch-site, re-entry, recovery, and test operations—owning weather workflows from forecast, balloon, and sensor data through countdown, launch commit criteria, contingency response, and post-flight data review Develop new decision-support forecast tools, integrate probabilistic forecast information into operator tools, and train operators and end-users of forecasts Improve launch availability by developing new weather tools, improving launch commit criteria, and coordination with SpaceX launch operations and the external weather stakeholders that support launch and re-entry operations Lead projects on weather-sensor architecture, numerical weather prediction tools, launch commit criteria, including NASA LLCCs, and marine/recovery weather Generate rocket launch, landing, and recovery forecasts against vehicle constraints, NASA Lightning Launch Commit Criteria (NASA-STD-4010), and 14 CFR Part 450 weather requirements Conduct numerical weather prediction analysis and testing; interpret model guidance (NBM, GFS, RRFS, CMC, ECMWF, GraphCast, HAFS, and other AI and ensemble variants) against measured conditions and communicate results to launch/flight control, pad operations, recovery, and leadership Drive requirements, procurement, calibration, installation, quality control, and operational use of mesonets, electric-field mills, radar, weather balloons, and related instrumentation Integrate the weather sensor suite and gridded model data into automation, dashboards, and decision-support tools Collaborate closely with peers, operators, Range, Recovery, Flight Safety, and external stakeholders to ensure reliable launch-weather support and drive initiatives that support Starship launch-rate growth Support Dragon undock, re-entry, and splashdown weather, and marine forecasts for Atlantic, Gulf, and Pacific recovery and vessel operations Provide nowcasts and alerts for hazardous weather including severe thunderstorms, lightning, tropical cyclones, flooding, marine, and heat risks Represent SpaceX with NASA, United States Space Force range weather organizations, National Weather Service, and other core partners Interface with NASA Lightning Advisory Panel, FAA Common Standards Working Group, and other university research to operations groups to drive improvement in LLCC constraints for all launch and re-entry vehicles Travel to and operate from Cape Canaveral, Vandenberg, Starbase, Hawthorne, and other launch/test/development sites as missions and projects require BASIC QUALIFICATIONS Bachelor's degree in meteorology, atmospheric science, or other nature science discipline 3+ years of professional experience in operational forecasting, launch/range weather, numerical weather prediction, or weather decision support PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE Experience as a Launch Weather Officer, range weather officer, or equivalent for orbital launch, aviation, or marine weather operations Experience presenting impact-based decision support forecasting to executive leadership and/or key decision-makers in operations Demonstrated experience communicating high-risk weather impacts on operations to executive leadership and key decision-makers; includes hurricanes, severe weather, launch forecasting, flooding, and other Impact-based Decision Support Services (IDSS) functions Combination of training and experience that has led to qualification as a forecaster by the National Weather Service or a U.S. or NATO military authority Familiarity with NASA Lightning Launch Commit Criteria (NASA-STD-4010) and 14 CFR Part 450 weather constraints Experience with weather sensors (mesonets, electric-field mills, radar, weather balloons) from requirements through procurement, installation, calibration, and operational use Experience conducting model and forecast verification and familiarity with probabilistic modeling techniques Familiarity with Linux, Python, JavaScript, InfluxDB, Grafana, or similar tools, and the ability to integrate gridded model data into weather communication tools AI-assisted programming or scripting associated with weather-sensor integration and automation Marine forecasting experience, including routing or recovery decision support Background coordinating multi-vehicle or multi-site operations (orbital launch, RTLS, droneship or marine recovery, crew/cargo re-entry, or test flights) in a high-tempo environment Experience writing procedures, training, and briefings for operators and external stakeholders; comfort owning documentation and process reliability Experience building training or qualification programs for operations personnel Ability to obtain and maintain a security clearance Strong communication, emotional intelligence, and patience when negotiating difficult outcomes with partners under schedule pressure Problem-solving and critical thinking skills with comfort changing roles rapidly in a high-paced environment Development and maintaining training, qualification, and onboarding programs for Launch Weather Officers and meteorology support, including off-nominal, severe-weather, and hurricane operations ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS Ability to pass Air Force background checks for Vandenberg and Cape Canaveral Ability to work at elevated heights and/or in tight spaces as needed for sensor or balloon operations Must be willing to travel, including extended periods at Cape Canaveral, Vandenberg, Starbase, and other sites Must be available to work extended hours, nights, weekends, and holidays when required by mission milestones 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 .