
CNC Programmer (Starship Components) - Level 4/5 (2nd Shift)
SpaceX · Hawthorne, CA
- Level
- Technician
- Team
- Manufacturing
- Experience asked
- 5+ years
- Industry
- Aerospace & defense
- Posted
- 30+ days ago
The role in 30 seconds
A technician-level manufacturing role at SpaceX (aerospace & defense) in Hawthorne, CA. You will have the opportunity to utilize your knowledge, experience, and creativity to develop novel solutions at the cutting edge of space technology.
- They ask for
- 5+ years
- Tools it names
- 5S, Root cause, GD&T, Automation, CNC, Machining
- Day to day
- some off-shift / weekend coverage
- Openings
- 2 with this title at this site
Read from the posting. The full description is below.
From the plant jobs report · week of October 19, 2026
Manufacturing Technician roles in California: typical posted base $56k–$78k.
Median of the low and high ends of 10 live postings that list pay, out of 118 manufacturing technician openings in California, read from manufacturers' own careers sites.
California plant jobs report →Pay by team and state →What moves pay →
How this role compares
Against 85 other live manufacturing postings in California.
- Base pay
- Not listed in this posting
- Experience asked
- More than usual (5+ vs 4+)
Typical $84k–$121k, from 13 postings that list pay.
Similar roles usually ask 4+ years.
Skills these teams ask for most
- ✓ Tooling 37%
- ✓ Machining 35%
- Team leadership 35%
- ✓ CNC 35%
- New product launch 23%
✓ = 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 Manufacturing team at SpaceX
We found 9 people at this company and state: 5 in this kind of role, 4 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 Michael → (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?
- How does off-shift and weekend coverage work?
- 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 Hawthorne
66 other open roles at this site · 9 people we found in manufacturing roles at SpaceX.
- Lead Hardware Reliability Engineer (Starshield) · Reliability · Manager
- Lead Operations Engineer · Production · Manager
- Environmental & Thermal Control Engineer (Dragon) · Controls
- Supplier Quality Specialist (Starship Supply Chain) · Quality · Specialist
- Manufacturing Engineer (Raptor Final Assembly & Tube Shop) · Manufacturing
- Process Specialist, Vendor Management (Starlink) · Process · Specialist
Full description from SpaceXAs posted on their careers site.ShowHide
Responsibilities
- ◆Use CAM to program and generate G-Code for Okuma mill-turn lathes and mills, with a focus on optimizing complex, multi-axis programs
- ◆Create and refine tooling and process setup sheets for new part introductions, incorporating lessons learned from prior iterations
- ◆Set-up, prove out, and operate programs on Okuma mill-turn lathes and mills, troubleshooting issues independently to minimize downtime
- ◆Contribute to the development and utilization of a CAM database for efficient new part programming, including data analysis to improve repeatability
- ◆Review quality concerns from piece part inspection, lead root-cause analysis, and implement corrective actions to processes
- ◆Analyze piece parts for DFM to ensure optimization for manufacturing; collaborate closely with engineering to recommend and implement drawing changes
- ◆Integrate feedback from engineering and production to rapidly iterate on part processes and designs, mentoring junior programmers on best practices
- ◆Pursue and share continuous education opportunities; stay up to date on the latest manufacturing technologies and integrate them into team workflows
- ◆Proactively keep products moving, identify potential production inhibitors early, and propose solutions to management
- ◆Maintain physical 5S and electronic organization with adherence to shop/SpaceX standards; assist in developing and enforcing standards for broader team adoption
- ◆Collaborate with other SpaceX machine shop facilities to share capabilities, optimize resource allocation, and resolve capacity/scheduling challenges
Qualifications
- ✓High school diploma or equivalency certificate
- ✓5+ years of CNC machining experience
- ✓2+ years of CNC programming experience
Preferred skills and experience
- ✓Understanding of advanced machining processes and equipment, including integration of automation
- ✓Proficiency in CNC programming using CAM software, with experience in custom post-processing
- ✓Solid knowledge of geometry, algebra, and trigonometry applied to complex part geometries
- ✓Experience reading blueprints and interpreting all drawing criteria, notes, and GD&T with high accuracy
- ✓Familiarity with Okuma OSP controls and troubleshooting multi-axis operations
- ✓Experience programming multi-axis lathes and mills, including 4- and 5-axis applications
- ✓Demonstrated ability to assess personal and team performance, seek feedback, pursue training, and share expertise to build team capabilities
- ✓Proactive approach to quality improvement, with a track record of accuracy, thoroughness, and process enhancements
- ✓Experience drafting detailed instructions, such as safety protocols, operating/maintenance guides, and procedural manuals
- ✓Strong skills in routine and technical correspondence to facilitate clear communication across teams
Requirements
- ✓Ability to work one the 2nd shifts, overtime, and weekends as needed:
- ✓2nd shift (day) start time is 12:00 PM
- ✓2nd shift (night) start time is 3:00 PM
- ✓Ability to lift up to 25 lbs. unassisted
- ✓Ability to work with your hands and use tools/controls
- ✓Must be willing to work in an environment that is in close proximity to loud machinery and in a facility that uses coolants, solvents, and cleaners regularly
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 .
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 identit
Show full description ↓Show less ↑
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.
CNC PROGRAMMER (STARSHIP COMPONENTS) – LEVEL 4/5 (2nd Shift)
As a CNC Programmer at SpaceX, you will have the opportunity to utilize your knowledge, experience, and creativity to develop novel solutions at the cutting edge of space technology. You will work on hardware that will deliver satellites into Earth orbit, ferry humans to and from the International Space Station, and ultimately extend humanity’s reach beyond the Earth and Moon. You will provide input into the design and development of new and existing hardware and take a lead role in creating robust machining processes to create parts for our current and next generation vehicles.
Pay Range
Level 4: $45.50 - $56.00
Level 5: $51.00 - $63.00
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
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