SpaceX

Business Operations Manager

SpaceX$110K — $130K *
Aerospace & Defense
Less than 5 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in a quantitative field (engineering, mathematics, computer science, etc.)
  • 4+ years of relevant experience in engineering, operations, or consulting
  • 2+ years of experience with Excel or programming
  • Strong SQL and Python skills for handling large datasets
  • Ability to read and interpret financial statements.

Responsibilities

  • Own cost improvement and unit economics for hardware programs
  • Analyze key performance indicators and develop cost models
  • Guide cross-department decisions toward cost target attainment
  • Manage and report on profit improvement initiatives
  • Drive product development cost optimization and revenue targets
  • Evaluate major capital expenditures and manufacturing decisions
  • Identify and execute initiatives to enhance cost trajectory.

Benefits

  • Opportunity to contribute to ambitious projects like Starlink and Mars colonization
  • Dynamic and fluid work environment that favors high agency
  • Direct collaboration with SpaceX leadership
  • Engagement in cross-functional decision-making and operational improvement initiatives.
  • Potential for career advancement in a cutting-edge industry
Full Job Description
BUSINESS OPERATIONS MANAGER

One of the most ambitious missions that SpaceX has undertaken to date, Starlink is leveraging our experience in building rockets and spacecraft to deploy the world's most advanced broadband internet system and largest satellite constellation to provide fast, reliable internet to millions of users worldwide, connect humanity, and fund Mars colonization.

This role sits within SpaceX Supply Chain Business Operations with a primary focus on Cost Improvement and unit economics for SpaceX hardware. SpaceX Business Operations combines traditional planning and analysis with broader business decision-making and strategy, directly supporting SpaceX's leadership. Business Operations is embedded in daily operations, supporting both near-term execution and long-term planning. Team members are expected to analyze data and provide recommendations and to lead cross-functional decision-making and implementation of the recommendations. SpaceX Business Operations is lean and dynamic, operating with a fluid structure that favors high agency. We expect high performers to expand their scope across the program's most critical bottlenecks.

RESPONSIBILITIES:
  • Own Cost Improvement and unit economics for specific SpaceX hardware programs, including establishing and tracking should-cost and cost targets against plan
  • Analyze key performance indicators, especially cost per unit, revenue, cost of sales, operating expenses, and capital expenditures; includes developing complex cost models and decision-making tools
  • Establish cost targets and guide Supply Chain, Engineering, Design, and Manufacturing decisions toward attainment of these targets (i.e., cost vs. performance tradeoffs)
  • Track, report, and proactively manage profit improvement (e.g., design proposals, supply chain initiatives, manufacturing process changes) on existing and future products
  • Drive cost optimization in product development for existing and future products with a focus on establishment and attainment of cost and revenue targets
  • Evaluate major CapEx decisions, expansion plans, and business cases on automation, manufacturing scope, insource vs. outsource choices, and location
  • Identify initiatives for improvement of SpaceX's operational and cost trajectory, including developing, tracking, and executing business initiatives with SpaceX's leadership

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:
  • Bachelor's degree in engineering, mathematics, computer science, data science, physics, or other quantitative field
  • 4+ years of experience in engineering, manufacturing, product management, operations, FP&A, consulting, banking, or entrepreneurship
  • 2+ years of experience in Excel or programming

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:
  • Evidence of exceptional ability, especially within an ambiguous environment
  • Quantitative dual degree in engineering field and economics or business field and/or equivalent professional experience
  • Demonstrated success driving tangible impact/influencing within a broader organization
  • Extreme sense of urgency and ownership; bias toward action and automation
  • Ability to read and interpret income statements, balance sheets, and cash flow statements
  • Strong proficiency in SQL and Python; ability to handle large datasets independently
  • Excellent analytical modeling skills (e.g., Excel, Power BI, Tableau, Looker)
  • Strong written and verbal communication skills, particularly with senior business leaders

ADDITIONAL REQUIRMENTS:
  • Must be available to work extended hours and weekends as needed
  • Willingness to travel to customer sites, other SpaceX locations, and events 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. a7 1157, or (iv) Asylee under 8 U.S.C. a7 1158, or be eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State. Learn more about the ITAR here.

About SpaceX

SpaceX is an American aerospace manufacturer and space transportation services company founded in 2002 by entrepreneur Elon Musk. The company designs, manufactures, and launches advanced rockets and spacecraft. SpaceX has developed the Falcon 1, Falcon 9, Falcon Heavy, and Dragon spacecraft. The company was founded with the goal of reducing space transportation costs and enabling the colonization of Mars. SpaceX has achieved several milestones in spaceflight, including the first privately-funded liquid-propellant rocket to reach orbit, the first privately-funded company to send a spacecraft to the International Space Station, and the first privately-funded company to send a human-rated spacecraft to orbit.
Learn more about SpaceX
Size
8,000 employees
Industry
Founded
2002

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