SpaceX

Manager, Facilities Operations - Solar Cell Factory (Starlink)

SpaceX • $100K — $130K *
Bastrop, TX 78602In-Person
Manufacturing & Automotive
5 - 7 years of experience
2 months ago
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in engineering or STEM discipline; OR 5+ years of experience leading facilities/utilities operations
  • 3+ years of experience in a manufacturing/operations environment
  • 2+ years of experience in a leadership position
  • Experience managing central utility plants, gas/chemical systems, or general facilities

Responsibilities

  • Lead daily operations of the central utility plant and related infrastructure to support 24/7 solar cell manufacturing
  • Oversee procurement and management of high-purity gases and chemicals to ensure production lines remain stocked
  • Manage critical building and environmental systems to maintain cleanroom conditions for solar cell production
  • Develop preventative maintenance schedules and operational procedures for facility uptime
  • Lead and develop a team of technicians and operators in a high-reliability facility
  • Collaborate with teams to troubleshoot issues and support factory expansion
  • Track and optimize performance metrics related to uptime, costs, and environmental compliance
  • Drive sustainable operations while ensuring regulatory compliance and cost efficiency

Benefits

  • Opportunity to shape and build the organization from the ground up
  • Work at one of the largest solar cell manufacturing facilities in the world
  • Engagement in high-impact projects directly linked to space exploration and AI
  • Exposure to cutting-edge technologies and innovative practices
  • Collaborative work environment with a focus on technical excellence and accountability
Full Job Description
MANAGER, FACILITIES OPERATIONS - SOLAR CELL FACTORY (STARLINK)

At SpaceX, we are building the next generation of space infrastructure to enable large-scale AI data centers in orbit. These orbital AI platforms require massive amounts of reliable, high-efficiency solar power to support intensive computing workloads in space. To make this possible, we are standing up one of the largest solar cell manufacturing facilities in the world. We are seeking an experienced Facility Operations Manager to lead the central utility plant, infrastructure systems, and site services that enable high-volume solar cell production. This high-impact role offers the opportunity to build and shape the organization from the ground up while directly enabling SpaceX's ambitious vision for AI data centers in space.

RESPONSIBILITIES:
  • Lead daily operations of the central utility plant, gas farm, chemical systems, and wastewater treatment infrastructure that enable 24/7 solar cell manufacturing
  • Oversee high-purity gas and chemical procurement, storage, distribution, and delivery systems while minimizing waste and ensuring uninterrupted supply to production lines
  • Manage critical building and environmental systems (HVAC, power distribution, plumbing, and exhaust) to maintain precise cleanroom conditions required for space-grade solar cells
  • Develop and implement preventative maintenance schedules, operational procedures, safety training, and emergency response plans to guarantee facility uptime and risk mitigation
  • Lead and develop a team of facility technicians and operators, providing coaching and performance management in a high-reliability environment
  • Collaborate with Production, Machine Maintenance, and EHS teams to troubleshoot issues, integrate new processes, and support factory expansion as output
  • Track and optimize key performance metrics including system uptime, utility costs, environmental compliance, and impact on production yield
  • Drive sustainable operations and regulatory compliance (OSHA, EPA, NFPA, and local codes) while continuously improving cost efficiency and infrastructure reliability
  • Foster a culture of technical excellence, accountability, and innovation to enable SpaceX's vision for AI data centers in space

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:
  • Bachelor's degree in engineering or STEM discipline; OR 5+ years of experience leading facilities/utilities operations
  • 3+ years of experience working in a manufacturing/operations environment
  • 2+ years of experience in a leadership position
  • Experience managing central utility plants, gas/chemical systems, and/or general facilities

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:
  • Strong knowledge of central utility plants, gas farms, chemical distribution, and building systems (HVAC, electrical, pneumatic)
  • Experience with environmental permitting, auditing, sustainability initiatives, and regulatory compliance in a factory setting
  • Experience with solar cell production support systems, including pyrophoric gases, toxic chemicals, and wastewater treatment
  • Expertise in SCADA systems, PLC programming, and industrial automation for facility and utility control
  • Familiarity with Six Sigma or similar process improvement methodologies applied to facility operations
  • Proven ability to lead cross-functional teams and manage complex infrastructure in high-stakes, high-growth manufacturing environments
  • Demonstrated success working in dynamic environments with strict safety, environmental, and operational requirements

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:
  • Ability to travel internationally (20%)
  • Ability to stand up to 6 hours, lift up to 25 pounds unassisted, and maneuver around equipment in a factory setting
  • Ability to work in industrial environments with fumes/odors, noise, hazardous chemicals, and confined spaces
  • Must be willing to work all shifts, 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. 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
Aerospace & Defense
Founded
2002
* Ladders Estimates

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