SpaceX

Operations Engineer (Starship Machining)

SpaceX • $100K — $160K *
Aerospace & Defense
Less than 5 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in physics or engineering
  • 2+ years of hands-on manufacturing experience
  • Experience in industrial, operations, or manufacturing engineering
  • Skilled in installing and commissioning complex machinery
  • Proficient in Excel, SQL, or Python/R for analysis
  • Knowledgeable in lean and six sigma principles
  • Strong collaboration skills with multi-disciplinary teams

Responsibilities

  • Design and manage factory layouts for machining capacity
  • Lead installation of automated CNC machining cells
  • Negotiate with vendors and manage schedules
  • Complete projects efficiently under budget constraints
  • Lead by example to ensure project completion
  • Develop system and process enhancements
  • Create tools for analyzing delivery and cost issues
  • Ensure safety standards during manufacturing setup

Benefits

  • Comprehensive medical, vision, and dental coverage
  • Access to a 401(k) plan with company match
  • Long-term incentives including stock options
  • Paid parental leave and generous paid vacation
  • Disability and life insurance coverage
  • Paid sick leave and holiday pay
  • Employee discounts and perks
Full Job Description
OPERATIONS ENGINEER (STARSHIP MACHINING)
The Hawthorne Starship Machining team machines and delivers parts used in critical applications on Starship/Super Heavy - from regulators and solenoids to butterfly valves. Operations engineers own the factory build and expansion, process flow, machine installation and commissioning, and project planning. Operations engineers have an eye for detail and simplicity and make that become reality on the factory floor. If you like strategic planning, building a new factory from scratch, juggling many different priorities, improving part flow, and spending most of your time away from your desk, a role on the operations engineering team may be for you!

RESPONSIBILITIES:
  • Design and own factory and production area layouts that enable increased capacity and capability for machining Starship components
  • Lead the installation and commissioning of new automated CNC machining cells, including the CNC machines themselves, automated material feed systems, automated part catch systems, and all other ancillary production cell equipment
  • Conduct job walks with vendors, negotiate prices and hold vendors to schedule
  • Execute on complex projects in the minimum amount of time and expense to the business
  • Get hands-on and lead by example to get projects completed rapidly
  • Actively develop system and process improvements across production teams
  • Develop tools to analyze delivery, capacity, and cost problems for production to guide decisions
  • Drive adherence to safety throughout the factory build-out process and design production work centers that are optimized for safety

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:
  • Bachelor's degree in physics or an engineering discipline
  • 2+ years of hands-on manufacturing experience

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:
  • Experience as an industrial, operations, process or manufacturing engineer in a developmental manufacturing environment
  • Experience with installing and commissioning complex machinery and automated manufacturing cells
  • Process engineering experience including project management, capacity modeling, process mapping, and layouts
  • Experience with industrial facilities: HVAC, gases, electrical, structural/foundations, etc.
  • 1+ years of experience in using Excel, SQL, or Python/R for analysis or modeling dynamic systems
  • Experience with lean, six sigma, and related production principles
  • Ability to work well across teams and skill sets to find the simplest and best solution
  • Experience as a contributor to multi-disciplinary and cross-functional teams

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:
  • Ability to stand for long durations and work directly with hardware on the floor
  • Ability to stoop and bend when necessary
  • Ability to lift/carry up to 25lbs (unassisted) for 1-2 hours per day
  • Ability to travel and work long hours or weekends when necessary
COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS:

Pay Range:
Level 1: $100,000.00 - $130,000.00
Level 2: $115,000.00 - $160,000.00

Your actual level and base salary will be determined on a case-by-case basis and may vary based on the following considerations: job-related knowledge and skills, education, and experience.

Base salary is just one part of your total rewards package at SpaceX. You may also be eligible for long-term incentives, in the form of company stock or long-term cash awards, as well as potential discretionary bonuses and the ability to purchase additional stock at a discount through an Employee Stock Purchase Plan. You will also receive access to comprehensive medical, vision, and dental coverage, access to a 401(k) retirement plan, short and long-term disability insurance, life insurance, paid parental leave, and various other discounts and perks. You may also accrue 3 weeks of paid vacation and will be eligible for 10 or more paid holidays per year. Employees accrue paid sick leave pursuant to Company policy which satisfies or exceeds the accrual, carryover, and use requirements of the law.

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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