Build Supervisor (Starship Mechanisms)

SpaceX
Hawthorne, CA
On-site

Who this role is best for

Best suited to mid-level aerospace manufacturing leaders who thrive in fast-paced production environments and can manage multi-shift operations.

Best fit for

  • Experienced supervisors who have transitioned teams from development to production.
    — “Experience bringing teams and processes from development to production
  • Leaders with a track record in lean manufacturing and efficiency improvements.
    — “Experience with applying lean manufacturing principles, efficiency methods
  • Candidates comfortable with physical demands and extended work hours.
    — “Must be able to stand for extended periods – 8 hours min

Things to consider

  • Requires eligibility for U.S. Government export-controlled work.
    — “To conform to U.S. Government export regulations
  • Frequent extended hours and weekend work expected.
    — “Must be able to work extended hours and weekends as needed
  • Some travel required, though limited to 5% of time.
    — “Must be able to travel for short and extended trips as needed, up to 5%

How to stand out

  • Demonstrate specific examples of implementing Kaizen or Six Sigma.
    — “Familiarity with Design for Manufacturability, Kaizen, Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma
  • Highlight experience managing large technician teams in aerospace.
    — “Recruit, retain, and lead a diverse and productive team of ~30 technicians
  • Show metrics-driven improvements in previous production roles.
    — “Report on efficiency and utilization metrics to continually improve the output
Pace · Fast PacedCollaboration · HighAutonomy · MediumDecision Impact · TeamLevel · Senior

Derived from job-description analysis by Serendipath's career intelligence engine.

What success looks like

  • recruit and retain a productive team
  • implement improvement plans
  • report on efficiency and utilization metrics
  • improve area safety and efficiency
Typical background
leadership experienceassembly or production experienceaerospace or military experience

Skills & requirements

Required

LeadershipAssemblyProductionTeam ManagementSafety ProtocolsEfficiency Methods

Preferred

A&P LicenseLean ManufacturingKaizenSix SigmaFailure Mode Effects Analysis

Stack & domain

PythonC++A&p LicenseLean Manufacturing PrinciplesDesign For ManufacturabilityKaizenLean ManufacturingSix SigmaFailure Mode Effects AnalysisLeadershipCommunicationAdaptabilityAttention To DetailAerospaceAviationMilitary

About the role

Original posting from SpaceX via Greenhouse

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.

BUILD SUPERVISOR (STARSHIP MECHANISMS)

The Hawthorne Starship Mechanisms team is responsible for building, welding, and assembling mechanisms and subassemblies for the world’s most powerful rocket. The supervisor of this team will guide a team of technicians and welders to build out a growing work center, drive high quality and safety standards, grow welding expertise, generate creative solutions to overcome issues, and spearhead a production schedule to keep downstream integration areas fed at increasing launch rates. The supervisor is not only responsible for driving progress on hour-by-hour and day-by-day basis, but also establishing a productive, motivational, and hard-working culture on the shop floor.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Oversee two shifts of Starship’s main sheet metal and assembly build center producing large stainless-steel structures for use on orbital and interplanetary variants of the rocket’s stages

Recruit, retain, and lead a diverse and productive team of ~30 welders and technicians including all performance management related tasks

Foster a collaborative, productive, safe, and fun work environment

Monitor labor hours and overtime; implement improvement plans

Identify training needs, and develop training programs

Report on efficiency and utilization metrics to continually improve the output of the workforce

Report on quality metrics. and play a leading role in finding and fixing the root cause of workmanship issues

Implement machine maintenance schedules and back-up spares availability to ensure uptime and output performance

Effectively organize, assign and track work/deliverables for the team by ensuring seamless progression through multi-shift work schedules

Maintain tooling and consumable supply inventory

Improve area safety and efficiency through regular auditing and continuous improvement

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:

High school diploma or equivalency certificate

2+ years of experience in a leadership position

Bachelor's degree or 5+ years of experience in assembly or production, in aviation, aerospace, or military 

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:

Experience welding in GTAW, GMAW, or laser welding

Knowledge of AWS D1.1, D1.6, D17.1, and D1.2

Experience with applying lean manufacturing principles, efficiency methods

10+ years of experience in final assembly and production in a fast-paced aerospace manufacturing environment

Experience bringing teams and processes from development to production

Familiarity with Design for Manufacturability, Kaizen, Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, and failure mode effects analysis

Ability to effectively communicate (verbal and written) with engineering and production

Able to adapt to constant changing work assignments and fast paced work environment

Excellent attention to detail with outstanding work efficiency and accuracy

Bachelor’s degree in a technical discipline

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

Must be able to stand for extended periods – 8 hours min

Must be able to work extended hours and weekends as needed

Must be able to travel for short and extended trips as needed, up to 5%

Ability to pass Air Force background checks for Cape Canaveral and Vandenberg

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS:            

Pay range:       

Build Supervisor: $110,000.00 - $140,000.00/per year          

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. § 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. 

Source: SpaceX careers (Greenhouse)

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