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Facilities Engineer, Solar Cell Factory (Starlink)

SpaceX · Bastrop, TX

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Level
Engineer
Team
Reliability
Travel
20%
Degree
Required
Experience asked
1+ years
Industry
Aerospace & defense
Posted
30+ days ago

The role in 30 seconds

An engineer-level reliability role at SpaceX (aerospace & defense) in Bastrop, TX. Oversee the maintenance, performance, and continuous improvement of facility systems including power distribution, ultrapure water, exhaust systems (acidic, caustic, harmful gas, VOC, and general heat), bulk gases, chilled water, and process cooling.

They ask for
1+ years · degree required
Tools it names
Root cause, EHS / safety
Day to day
about 20% travel

Read from the posting. The full description is below.

How this role compares

Against 48 other live reliability postings in Texas.

Base pay
Not listed in this posting

Typical $106k–$135k, from 11 postings that list pay.

Experience asked
Less than usual (1+ vs 5+)

Similar roles usually ask 5+ years.

Skills these teams ask for most

  • ✓ Root cause 45%
  • Team leadership 29%
  • SAP 29%
  • Automation 27%
  • FMEA 24%

✓ = this posting asks for it too. % = share of similar postings that mention it.

It asks for 1+ years. If you're close, apply anyway: requirements are a wish list. Talk to someone on the team first.

At a glance

Lifts up to 25 lbs

Pulled from the posting text. If it's not listed here, the posting didn't say.

How to get in at this plant

Five moves over a week or two. The first one takes ten minutes.

  1. 1

    Pick 2–3 people on the Reliability team at SpaceX

    We found 4 people at this company and state: 4 on the team, plus 2 likely hiring managers. Engineers who joined in the last year or two reply the most. See them ↓

  2. 2

    Send a short, curious note

    One real question about their work. No favors yet. Each person gets a different note, written for this role.

    Write to Marcus → (free)
  3. 3

    Turn a reply into a short call

    Questions worth asking about this team:

    • What does a normal week look like on your team?
    • The posting says about 20% travel. Between which sites?
    • How did you land the job? What stood out in your interviews?
  4. 4

    Apply with someone vouching for you

    If the call went well, ask whether they’d pass your résumé to the hiring manager. Send your résumé link, apply that day, and let them know.

  5. 5

    Bring proof to the interview

    One page of before-and-after numbers from projects you led: scrap, OEE, cycle time, cost. Plant managers hire on results.

This plant: SpaceX in Bastrop

83 other open roles at this site · 4 people we found on the reliability team.

All 84 roles at SpaceX →
Full description from SpaceXAs posted on their careers site.Show

Responsibilities

  • ◆Oversee the maintenance, performance, and continuous improvement of facility systems including power distribution, ultrapure water, exhaust systems (acidic, caustic, harmful gas, VOC, and general heat), bulk gases, chilled water, and process cooling systems that support high-volume solar cell manufacturing
  • ◆Collaborate with engineers, technicians, production teams, and leadership to maintain systems in peak operating condition and develop detailed work instructions for preventative maintenance to ensure zero unplanned interruptions
  • ◆Monitor and optimize utility systems supporting wet chemistry texturing, PECVD, PVD, metallization, and cleaning processes
  • ◆Perform failure assessments, root cause analysis, and implement corrective actions for facility systems
  • ◆Ensure work and materials comply with manufacturer specifications, industry standards, and all applicable safety, environmental, and building regulations
  • ◆Read and interpret P&IDs, schematics, OEM manuals, and construction drawings for assembly, repair, and optimization
  • ◆Present equipment and system performance statuses to internal customers and leadership
  • ◆Track and resolve electronic work tickets, manage priorities with minimal guidance, and take on additional

responsibilities

as needed

  • ◆Drive continuous improvement initiatives for reliability, uptime, yield, and cost in a high-volume production environment
  • ◆Operate forklifts, scissor lifts, boom lifts, and other equipment as required

Qualifications

  • ✓Bachelor’s degree in mechanical, electrical, chemical, or related engineering discipline
  • ✓1+ years of professional experience in facilities engineering or sustaining engineering for a manufacturing environment (internship experience is applicable)

Preferred skills and experience

  • ✓Experience with cleanroom facility systems, ultrapure water, exhaust abatement, bulk gas delivery, and/or process utility systems supporting semiconductor or solar manufacturing
  • ✓Knowledge of high-pressure gases, flammable gases, hazardous chemicals, and associated safety systems
  • ✓Proficiency reading and interpreting P&IDs, schematics, and technical drawings
  • ✓Experience with continuous improvement, root cause analysis, and implementing preventative maintenance programs
  • ✓Ability to troubleshoot mechanical, electrical, and controls systems down to the component level
  • ✓Familiarity with commercial building codes, OSHA, EPA, and NFPA standards
  • ✓Strong interpersonal and communication skills with the ability to work in a fast-paced, high-stress environment balancing multiple projects
  • ✓Proficiency with Microsoft Office tools and computerized maintenance management systems

Requirements

  • ✓Ability to travel internationally (20%)
  • ✓Ability to stand up to 6 hours, lift up to 25 pounds unassisted, and maneuver around equipment in a factory setting
  • ✓Ability to work in industrial environments with fumes/odors, noise, hazardous chemicals, and confined spaces
  • ✓Must be available to work extended hours and weekends as needed

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 .

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 .

Show full description ↓

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.

Facilities engineer, solar cell factory (starlink)

At SpaceX, we are building the next generation of space infrastructure to enable large-scale AI data centers in orbit. These orbital AI platforms require massive amounts of reliable, high-efficiency solar power to support intensive computing workloads in space. To make this possible, we are standing up one of the largest solar cell manufacturing facilities in the world. We are seeking a Facilities Engineer to oversee the maintenance, performance, and continuous improvement of facility systems (power, ultrapure water, exhaust, bulk gases) that support high-volume solar cell manufacturing. This high-impact role offers the opportunity to build and shape the organization from the ground up while directly enabling SpaceX’s ambitious vision for AI data centers in space.

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