Manufacturing Specialist, Solar Cells (Starlink)
SpaceX · Bastrop, TX
- Level
- Specialist
- Team
- Manufacturing
- Travel
- 20%
- Degree
- Required (or equivalent experience)
- Experience asked
- 4+ years
- Industry
- Aerospace & defense
- Posted
- 30+ days ago
The role in 30 seconds
A specialist manufacturing role at SpaceX (aerospace & defense) in Bastrop, TX. § 1157, or (iv) Asylee under 8 U.S.C.
- They ask for
- 4+ years · degree required (or equivalent experience)
- Tools it names
- Lean, Six Sigma, OEE
- Day to day
- about 20% travel
Read from the posting. The full description is below.
From the plant jobs report · week of October 19, 2026
Manufacturing Engineer roles in Texas: typical posted base $79k–$132k.
Median of the low and high ends of 33 live postings that list pay, out of 148 manufacturing engineer openings in Texas, read from manufacturers' own careers sites.
Texas plant jobs report →Pay by team and state →What moves pay →
How this role compares
Against 147 other live manufacturing postings in Texas.
- Base pay
- Not listed in this posting
- Experience asked
- Less than usual (4+ vs 5+)
Typical $79k–$132k, from 33 postings that list pay.
Similar roles usually ask 5+ years.
Skills these teams ask for most
- Tooling 57%
- Root cause 51%
- ✓ Lean 39%
- New product launch 39%
- Automation 34%
- ✓ Six Sigma 28%
✓ = this posting asks for it too. % = share of similar postings that mention it.
Stands out: this posting asks for OEE, which few similar roles mention. If you have it, lead with 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 Manufacturing team at SpaceX
We found 1 person at this company and state: 1 leaders. 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 Andres → (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?
- Is the work mostly new product launches or sustaining existing lines?
- How much time do you spend on the floor versus at a desk?
- The posting says about 20% travel. Between which sites?
- How did you land the job? What stood out in your interviews?
- 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
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
157 other open roles at this site · 1 person we found in manufacturing roles at SpaceX.
- Facilities Specialist, Solar Cell Factory (Starlink) · Reliability · Specialist
- Lead Operations Engineer · Production · Manager
- Sr. Supplier Development Engineer (Starlink) · Quality · Senior
- Lead Production Technician, Solar Cells (Starlink) · Production · Technician
- PECVD Process Engineer, Solar Cells (Starlink) · Process
- Process Specialist, Vendor Management (Starlink) · Process · Specialist
Full description from SpaceXAs posted on their careers site.ShowHide
Responsibilities
- ◆Operate multiple complex process stations including diffusion furnaces, PECVD, screen printers, firing furnaces, and related solar cell production tools
- ◆Perform minor troubleshooting and rapid corrective actions to maintain production flow
- ◆Support process improvements, yield optimization, and OEE enhancements through data-driven initiatives
- ◆Maintain accurate production records, inventory logs, and quality documentation
- ◆Ensure adherence to safety protocols, cleanroom standards, and regulatory compliance during operations
- ◆Support the development of training materials for team members on equipment operation, safety protocols, and process procedures
- ◆Train and mentor junior team members on equipment operation, safety, and best practices
- ◆Contribute to factory scaling efforts and foster technical excellence and accountability on the production floor
Qualifications
- ✓High school diploma or GED
- ✓4+ years of experience in manufacturing/production operations
- ✓3+ years of experience operating complex manufacturing equipment in a high-volume environment
Preferred skills and experience
- ✓Associate’s degree or equivalent technical certification
- ✓Prior experience with semiconductor, solar, or advanced manufacturing processes
- ✓Experience operating and navigating Human-Machine Interfaces (HMIs) on automated production equipment
- ✓Experience with real-time process monitoring, parameter adjustments, alarm response, and basic troubleshooting in a high-volume manufacturing environment
- ✓Familiarity with lean manufacturing, Six Sigma, cleanroom protocols, and process data analytics
- ✓Experience in process troubleshooting, improvements, and training in fast-paced environments
- ✓Proven track record supporting high-volume production scaling
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 for one of the following AWS shifts (start and end times are approximate):
- ✓A Shift – 5:00am-5:00pm, Sunday-Wednesday
- ✓B Shift – 5:00am-5:00pm, Wednesday-Saturday
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.
Manufacturing specialist, solar cells (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 highly skilled Manufacturing Specialist to operate multiple complex process stations and support process improvements. This high-impact role offers the opportunity to drive operational excellence while enabling SpaceX’s ambitious vision for AI data centers in space.