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Manufacturing Specialist (Starshield)

SpaceX · Hawthorne, CA

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Level
Specialist
Team
Manufacturing
Travel
10%
Degree
Required (or equivalent experience)
Experience asked
5+ years
Industry
Aerospace & defense
Posted
30+ days ago

The role in 30 seconds

A specialist manufacturing role at SpaceX (aerospace & defense) in Hawthorne, CA. § 1157, or (iv) Asylee under 8 U.S.C.

They ask for
5+ years · degree required (or equivalent experience)
Tools it names
Tooling, CATIA / NX
Day to day
some off-shift / weekend coverage · about 10% travel

Read from the posting. The full description is below.

From the plant jobs report · week of October 19, 2026

Manufacturing Engineer roles in California: typical posted base $114k–$167k.

Median of the low and high ends of 117 live postings that list pay, out of 320 manufacturing engineer 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 319 other live manufacturing postings in California.

Base pay
Not listed in this posting

Typical $111k–$157k, from 105 postings that list pay.

Experience asked
Typical (5+ years)

Similar roles usually ask 5+ years.

Skills these teams ask for most

  • ✓ Tooling 53%
  • ✓ New product launch 51%
  • Root cause 40%
  • Automation 35%
  • Machining 29%
  • ✓ CATIA / NX 29%

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

It asks for 5+ years. If you're close, apply anyway: requirements are a wish list. Talk to someone doing this work there first.

At a glance

Off-shift / weekend coverageLifts 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 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. 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. 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?
    • The posting says about 10% travel. Between which sites?
  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 Hawthorne

66 other open roles at this site · 9 people we found in manufacturing roles at SpaceX.

All 67 roles at SpaceX →
Full description from SpaceXAs posted on their careers site.Show

Responsibilities

  • ◆Perform daily production activities – including sub-assembly builds, vehicle integration, resolving issue tickets and further actions, test checkouts, etc.
  • ◆Work closely with the systems and design teams along with cross-functional partners to ensure solutions meet the mission

requirements

  • ✓Develop procedures/processes and manage the transition of parts and assemblies from development to high-rate production
  • ✓Coordinate and execute development, qualification, and acceptance testing of systems and tooling needed to meet hardware deadlines
  • ✓Analyze and resolve integration and manufacturing discrepancies (design, fabrication, and assembly)
  • ✓Partner with engineering and production teams to drive improvements for current and next-generation vehicles
  • ✓Guide multiple projects to completion for developmental testing and team readiness objectives
  • ✓Self-monitor work progress and achieve on-time delivery of all work

Qualifications

  • ✓Associate's degree or higher in an electronics, mathematical, or engineering discipline OR high school diploma and 5+ years of professional experience in testing, developing, and/or manufacturing electro-mechanical systems or harnessing in lieu of a degree

Preferred skills and experience

  • ✓Bachelor's degree in electronics, mathematical, or engineering discipline
  • ✓Experience and proficiency using Windows-based computers and Microsoft Office suite
  • ✓Experience with manufacturing enterprise systems
  • ✓Experience with automotive, aeronautic, and/or aerospace component integration
  • ✓Hands-on project experience with complex electro-mechanical systems
  • ✓Prior or current IPC-A-620, NASA 8739-4, or J-STD-001 certifications
  • ✓Experience with Unigraphics NX/Teamcenter and PLM systems
  • ✓Able to adapt to constantly changing work assignments and a fast-paced work environment
  • ✓Excellent concentration and attention to detail with outstanding work efficiency and accuracy
  • ✓Excellent communication (written and verbal) and teamwork skills

Requirements

  • ✓Must be able to work all shifts and available for overtime and weekends as needed
  • ✓Estimated start time: 5:00am
  • ✓Must be able to lift up to 25lbs., unassisted
  • ✓Must be able travel to other SpaceX launch/test sites as needed: Up to 5-10% work week travel
  • ✓Ability to perform job duties that require standing, kneeling, crouching, twisting upper body, working in cramped positions in small openings and climbing hand over hand are generally required to perform functions of this position
  • ✓This job is onsite, remote work not considered

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 IT
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.

Manufacturing specialist (starshield)

Starshield leverages SpaceX's Starlink technology and launch capability to support national security efforts. While Starlink is designed for consumer and commercial use, Starshield is designed for government use, with an initial focus on three areas: Earth observation, communications, and hosted payloads. Designed to meet diverse mission requirements, Starshield satellites are capable of integrating a wide variety of payloads, offering unique versatility to users. With the proven ability to iterate rapidly, SpaceX's unique full-stack approach in developing end-to-end systems, from launch vehicles to user terminals, enables the deployment of capabilities at scale with unprecedented speed. Starshield's proliferated low-Earth orbit architecture provides inherent resiliency and constant connectivity to on-orbit assets, while SpaceX's proven rapid launch capability provides expedient and economical access to space.

The Manufacturing Specialist role is responsible for supporting the bring up and future production of Starshield satellites. This includes designing tooling (assembly aides, part fixturing, electrical checkout rack, etc.) and processes (vehicle checkouts, harness/component integration, troubleshooting procedures etc.) to rapidly build early versions of Starshield vehicles. Manufacturing Specialists will be expected to contribute in daily production activities including dispositioning and troubleshooting issues, assembling first-article flight and GSE hardware, working with engineers to execute sub-system development testing, and aiding production technicians.

Pay Range

Level 1: $33.00 - $39.00

Level 2: $37.00 - $44.00

Level 3: $41.00 - $50.00

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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