Operations Engineer, Applied AI (Application Software)

SpaceX
Bastrop, TX
On-site

Who this role is best for

Aimed at mid-level engineers with AI integration experience who thrive in collaborative, high-pace environments, and are willing to work onsite in the US.

Best fit for

  • Mid-level engineers with AI integration experience and a track record of cross-functional collaboration
    — “collaborate closely with Sales, Product, and Engineering teams
  • Candidates who have designed and deployed LLM-powered applications in enterprise settings
    — “Experience with shipping real-world applications using large language models
  • Individuals who enjoy solving complex operational challenges with technical innovation
    — “design smart, effective strategies for incorporating large language models into their products and infrastructure

Things to consider

  • Onsite presence is mandatory, with no remote or hybrid work options available
    — “This role requires you to be onsite. Remote and/or hybrid work will not be considered
  • Travel commitment is up to 25% of the time, requiring flexibility and mobility
    — “Must be willing to travel up to 25% of the time to visit different sites
  • Applicant must meet strict ITAR compliance requirements, which may limit eligibility
    — “To conform to U.S. Government export regulations, applicant must be a (i) U.S. citizen...

How to stand out

  • Emphasize your ability to build testing approaches and robust system designs for AI solutions
    — “Build prototypes and proof-of-concept applications that clearly illustrate effective ways to integrate
  • Demonstrate your understanding of AI product development and retrieval architecture in interviews
    — “Knowledge of common LLM techniques including prompt design, evaluation methods, agent systems, and retrieval architecture
  • Showcase your capacity to work under pressure and manage multiple priorities simultaneously
    — “Ability to work under pressure and deliver expeditious results across multiple parallel priorities
  • Demonstrate prior process improvements or AI system design in enterprise environments
    — “Previous experience innovating process improvements, AI integrations, and AI system design in an enterprise setting
Pace · Fast PacedCollaboration · HighAutonomy · MediumDecision Impact · TeamLevel · Mid

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

What success looks like

  • integrating AI into products
  • building robust system designs
Typical background
engineering experienceAI system design

Skills & requirements

Required

Large Language ModelsSystem ArchitectureEngineering BackgroundCross-functional Collaboration

Preferred

AI Product DesignProcess Improvement

Stack & domain

Large Language ModelsPrompt DesignEvaluation MethodsAgent SystemsRetrieval ArchitectureCollaborationCommunicationProblem-solvingAIMachine LearningEngineering

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.

OPERATIONS ENGINEER, APPLIED AI (APPLICATION SOFTWARE)

As an Operations Engineer on SpaceX’s team, you will act as a key technical partner. You’ll help internal teams across different programs explore the capabilities of different platforms and design smart, effective strategies for incorporating large language models into their products and infrastructure. This hybrid role blends strong technical depth with strong interpersonal skills to empower different teams within the company to create powerful AI-powered solutions while prioritizing safety and responsible deployment.

You’ll collaborate closely with Sales, Product, and Engineering teams to support them from early exploration all the way through successful implementation. Using your engineering background, you will build practical testing approaches and create robust system designs that deliver meaningful results.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Work alongside internal teams to uncover their needs and design technical approaches that closely align with their goals

Serve as the main technical point of contact, supporting end-to-end while coordinating with internal teams to ensure strong outcomes

Build prototypes and proof-of-concept applications that clearly illustrate effective ways to integrate with Spok/Grok

Advise on system-on-system architecture and support teams in developing advanced applications powered by LLMs – Large Language Models

Keep current evolving LLM technologies, best practices, and the tools commonly used in fast-moving environments

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:

Bachelor’s degree in a STEM or engineering discipline

1+ years of experience working in engineering or operations/process development

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:

Hands-on experience supporting cross- functional teams and a solid grasp of their fast-paced environment, limited resources, and specific pain points, specifically in engineering disciplines

Ability to code along with a track record of developing production-level applications

Experience with shipping real-world applications using large language models and related machine learning tools to lead cross-functional groups

Knowledge of common LLM techniques including prompt design, evaluation methods, agent systems, and retrieval architecture

Previous experience working with AI product design, development, integration, and/or test

Demonstrated ability to work under pressure and deliver expeditious results across multiple parallel priorities

Previous experience innovating process improvements, AI integrations, and AI system design in an enterprise setting

Positive, "can-do" attitude, self-starter, and ability to work in a high-pace dynamic environment

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

Must be willing to work extended hours and weekends as needed

Must be willing to travel up to 25% of the time to visit different sites

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

This role requires you to be onsite. Remote and/or hybrid work will not be considered

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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