Quality Inspector (Starship)

SpaceX
Hawthorne, CA

Who this role is best for

Strong fit for mid-level candidates with aerospace or manufacturing inspection experience who can work in cleanrooms and handle physical demands.

Best fit for

  • Mid-level inspectors with aerospace or military manufacturing experience and technical precision skills
    — “2+ years of inspection experience in an aerospace, military or manufacturing environment
  • Individuals who can navigate complex quality standards and contribute to continuous improvement initiatives
    — “Support quality management system policies and procedure documentation, assess compliance to company and industry standards, initiate and lead continual improvement and lean manufacturing initiatives
  • Candidates with strong attention to detail and ability to interpret technical drawings and CAD models
    — “Provide detailed in-process inspections on flight hardware, using detailed drawing, CAD models, and established processes to verify conformance to design requirements

Things to consider

  • Cleanroom environment and PPE requirements may limit comfort for candidates unaccustomed to such conditions
    — “Must be willing to work in a cleanroom environment, which requires PPE, such as: bunny suit, hair net, beard net, etc.
  • Physical demands like lifting 25 lbs and working in tight spaces may be a barrier for some applicants
    — “Must be able to lift up to 25 lbs. unassisted
  • The role may require travel and flexibility with work hours, including weekends and overtime
    — “Must be willing to work overtime, and/or weekends as needed

How to stand out

  • Highlight experience with dimensional verification and precision inspection tools in your resume and interview
    — “Provide dimensional inspection and verification with precision tools
  • Emphasize your ability to document anomalies and collaborate with engineering teams to resolve issues
    — “Document production and test anomalies in accordance with prescribed procedures and processes
  • Showcase your understanding of quality management systems like AS9100 and ISO 9001 in your application materials
    — “Practical experience working within quality management systems (AS9100 and ISO 9001)
  • Demonstrate your experience with aerospace standards and how they align with SpaceX's mission requirements
    — “Experience with aerospace standards
  • Demonstrate familiarity with Microsoft Office tools, especially Excel, for data tracking and reporting
    — “Intermediate level skill with Microsoft Office (Excel, PowerPoint, Word, Outlook)
Pace · SteadyCollaboration · MediumAutonomy · MediumDecision Impact · TeamLevel · Mid Level

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

What success looks like

  • mission success
  • conformance to design requirements
  • root cause analysis
Typical background
inspectionquality assurancemanufacturing

Skills & requirements

Required

InspectionQuality AssuranceDimensional InspectionManufacturing Compliance

Preferred

Aerospace StandardsCalibrated Inspection ToolsQuality Management Systems

Stack & domain

Aerospace StandardsCalibrated Inspection ToolsAssembling And Testing Manufactured HardwareQuality Assurance PrinciplesDimensional InspectionsMicrosoft OfficeWindows Operating SystemsQuality Management SystemsAerospace

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.

QUALITY INSPECTOR (STARSHIP)

Our quality inspectors are responsible for being the last line of defense in assuring mission success. You will perform in-process and end-of-line inspections to verify that all key performance and design characteristics are met or exceeded during flight hardware manufacturing. You will be working hands on with the most cutting edge rocket technology currently available and will be part of history. This position will be supporting the Quality Inspection team at the SpaceX valve factory, which is responsible for the most critical components of our Dragon, Falcon, and Starship programs.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Provide detailed in-process inspections on flight hardware, using detailed drawing, CAD models, and established processes to verify conformance to design requirements

Provide dimensional inspection and verification with precision tools 

Document production and test anomalies in accordance with prescribed procedures and processes

Communicate and help resolve quality related issues as they relate to the site and other SpaceX locations

Process non-conforming product and assist engineering in root cause analysis and corrective action

Routinely observe technical operations and offer guidance and/or serve as an additional technical resource

Evaluate manufacturing compliance to NASA and customer, as well as internal, specifications to meet launch and mission requirements

Perform other related duties, as assigned, for the purpose of ensuring an efficient and effective work environment

Support quality management system policies and procedure documentation, assess compliance to company and industry standards, initiate and lead continual improvement and lean manufacturing initiatives

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:

High school diploma or equivalency certificate

2+ years of inspection experience in an aerospace, military or manufacturing environment

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:

Experience with aerospace standards

Experience using calibrated inspection tools

Experience with assembling and testing manufactured hardware

Experience with quality assurance principles, methods, and processes

Experience with dimensional inspections and verifications with precision tools

Intermediate level skill with Microsoft Office (Excel, PowerPoint, Word, Outlook)

Intermediate level skill with Windows operating systems

Practical experience working within quality management systems (AS9100 and ISO 9001)

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

Must be willing to work overtime, and/or weekends as needed

Must be able to lift up to 25 lbs. unassisted

Must be willing to travel up to 10%

Must be able to climb ladders, stoop, bend, crawl, and work in tight spaces

Must be willing to work in a cleanroom environment, which requires PPE, such as: bunny suit, hair net, beard net, etc.              

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS: 

Pay range:

Quality Inspector/Level 1: $26.00 - $32.00/hour    

Quality Inspector/Level 2: $30.00 - $38.00/hour

Quality Inspector/Level 3: $35.00 - $44.00/hour  

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, stock options, 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.

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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