Operations Engineer (Starship Machining)

SpaceX
Hawthorne, CA
On-site

Who this role is best for

A natural match if you have hands-on manufacturing experience and a background in engineering or physics.

Best fit for

  • Candidates with hands-on manufacturing experience and a passion for building production systems from scratch
    — “building a new factory from scratch, juggling many different priorities”
  • Individuals with a technical background in process engineering and automation systems
    — “installing and commissioning complex machinery and automated manufacturing cells”
  • Candidates who thrive in collaborative, cross-functional environments and can lead by example
    — “work well across teams and skill sets to find the simplest and best solution”

Things to consider

  • This role requires physical stamina and the ability to work on the factory floor for extended periods
    — “Ability to stand for long durations and work directly with hardware on the floor”
  • The position demands a strong understanding of industrial facilities and infrastructure
    — “Experience with industrial facilities: HVAC, gases, electrical, structural/foundations, etc.”
  • U.S. citizenship or residency is mandatory due to ITAR export regulations
    — “applicant must be a U.S. citizen or national, or be eligible to obtain the required authorizations”

How to stand out

  • Highlight experience with machine installation and commissioning in your resume and interviews
    — “Lead the installation and commissioning of new automated CNC machining cells”
  • Demonstrate your ability to analyze and solve complex production challenges using data tools
    — “Develop tools to analyze delivery, capacity, and cost problems for production to guide decisions”
  • Emphasize your track record in improving part flow and optimizing process efficiency
    — “Actively develop system and process improvements across production teams”
  • Showcase your ability to lead projects and deliver results rapidly with minimal resource expenditure
    — “Execute on complex projects in the minimum amount of time and expense to the business”
  • Demonstrate your hands-on approach and ability to work directly with hardware and machinery
    — “Get hands-on and lead by example to get projects completed rapidly”
Pace · Fast PacedCollaboration · HighAutonomy · MediumDecision Impact · Team

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

What success looks like

  • Designing factory layouts for increased capacity
  • Leading installation and commissioning of new machinery
  • Developing tools for production analysis
Typical background
Bachelor’s degree in physics or an engineering discipline2+ years of hands-on manufacturing experience

Skills & requirements

Required

Factory Layout DesignMachine Installation And CommissioningProject ExecutionProcess ImprovementSafety Adherence

Preferred

Lean Six SigmaFacility Management

Stack & domain

Factory LayoutMachiningInstallationCommissioningProject PlanningProcess FlowCapacity ModelingProcess MappingLayoutsFacilitiesHVACGasesElectricalStructuralFoundationsExcelSQLPythonRAnalysisModelingDynamic SystemsLeanSix SigmaProduction PrinciplesMulti-disciplinaryCross-functional TeamsStrategic PlanningBuildingJuggling PrioritiesImproving Part FlowHands-onLeading By ExampleSystem And Process ImprovementsDecision MakingAdherence To SafetyOptimized For SafetyManufacturingEngineeringProductionSafety

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 (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. § 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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