
Facilities Engineer, Solar Cell Factory (Starlink)
SpaceX · Bastrop, TX
- 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
- Experience asked
- Less than usual (1+ vs 5+)
Typical $106k–$135k, from 11 postings that list pay.
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.
At a glance
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
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
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
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
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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
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.
- Lead Operations Engineer · Production · Manager
- Sr. Supplier Development Engineer (Starlink) · Quality · Senior
- PECVD Process Engineer, Solar Cells (Starlink) · Process
- Facilities Engineer (Starlink) · Reliability
- Sourcing Specialist, OPEX (Starlink) · Lean / CI · Specialist
- Automation Engineer, Blades and Vanes Foundry · Controls
Full description from SpaceXAs posted on their careers site.ShowHide
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 .
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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.
