Sr. Environmental Regulatory Engineer, Air Permitting

About the role

At SpaceX, we're on a mission to make humanity multiplanetary. This role is part of the Regulatory team and is based at Starbase, Texas; Bastrop, Texas; or Starbase, Louisiana.

You will lead air permitting in Texas and Louisiana for power generation and rocket propulsion programs, from the applicability determination through issuance by TCEQ and LDEQ. Power generation work includes on-site plants that serve a large, steady electric load at the same site and are often built in phases as that load grows. Authorizations include Prevention of Significant Deterioration and other New Source Review permits, Title V operating permits, minor and synthetic minor permits, Texas standard permits, and Permits by Rule.

We are looking for a senior engineer who has carried a complex industrial air permit from strategy through issuance and can explain the path to the people selecting equipment. Candidates with permitting experience in petrochemicals, high-tech, or oil and gas are encouraged to apply, as are candidates who have permitted major sources in more than one state.

Responsibilities

• Lead air permitting in Texas and Louisiana for power generation and rocket propulsion programs
• Decide when a permit or authorization is required, and prepare applications, amendments, and renewals, including PSD and other NSR, Title V, minor and synthetic minor permits, Texas standard permits, and Permits by Rule
• Build the technical record those applications need: emission inventories, vendor-data review, control-technology and BACT assessments, dispersion modeling, and demonstrations for NAAQS, NSPS, and NESHAP
• Advise engineering and operations early, so permit strategy can shape equipment selection, operating limits, and schedule, including where generating capacity is added in phases
• Represent SpaceX with TCEQ and LDEQ, and with EPA on federal programs, during application review, inspections, and negotiation of permit conditions
• Follow Texas and Louisiana air rule changes and turn them into actions on active projects
• Support environmental reviews for new projects and expansions in both states on construction-driven schedules

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in environmental or chemical engineering
• 7+ years of experience identifying permitting needs and obtaining Title V, PSD, and other complex air permits for power generation or other industrial operations

Preferred Skills and Experience

• Permitting experience in petrochemicals, high-tech, or oil and gas
• Hands-on air permitting for power generation, including projects that add generating capacity in phases
• Texas air permitting under 30 TAC Chapters 106, 116, and 122, or Louisiana air permitting under LAC 33:III. Experience across more than one state is encouraged, including candidates who have not worked in Texas or Louisiana
• Professional Engineer license
• Working knowledge of NSPS and NESHAP/MACT standards that apply to power generation, and of dispersion modeling with AERMOD or an equivalent
• Experience with air permitting for rocket propulsion programs
• Clear writing, and the ability to present a permit strategy to engineers and operators

Additional Requirements

• This position is based in Starbase, TX; Bastrop, TX; or Pecan Island, LA and requires being onsite - remote work not considered
• Must be willing to travel about 20% of the time, including Louisiana permitting work
• Must be willing to work extended hours and weekends as 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.