CNC Machinist, Tool & Die (Starlink)

SpaceX · Bastrop, TX

Level: Technician
Team: Manufacturing
Experience asked: 3+ years
Industry: Aerospace & defense
Posted: 30+ days ago

The role in 30 seconds

A technician-level manufacturing role at SpaceX (aerospace & defense) in Bastrop, TX. § 1157, or (iv) Asylee under 8 U.S.C.

They ask for: 3+ years
Tools it names: GD&T, CNC, Machining, CATIA / NX

Read from the posting. The full description is below.

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

Manufacturing Technician roles in the US: typical posted base $60k–$91k.

Median of the low and high ends of 50 live postings that list pay, out of 825 manufacturing technician openings in the US, read from manufacturers' own careers sites.

Texas plant jobs report →Pay by team and state →What moves pay →

How this role compares

Against 72 other live manufacturing postings in Texas.

Base pay: Not listed in this posting
Experience asked: Less than usual (3+ vs 4+)

Skills these teams ask for most

Team leadership 49%
Tooling 40%
✓ Machining 37%
✓ CNC 33%

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

It asks for 3+ years. If you're close, apply anyway: requirements are a wish list. Talk to someone doing this work there 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
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?
- 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

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Lead Operations Engineer · Production · Manager
Sr. Supplier Development Engineer (Starlink) · Quality · Senior
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PECVD Process Engineer, Solar Cells (Starlink) · Process
Process Specialist, Vendor Management (Starlink) · Process · Specialist

All 158 roles at SpaceX →

Full description from SpaceXAs posted on their careers site.Show

Responsibilities

◆Set up and operate multi-axis CNC 5-axis mills
◆Set up tools as per program

requirements

✓Inspect parts via probing and/or using hand tools to verify dimensions
✓Complete machining operations from CAD, blueprints, drawings and/or verbal instructions
✓Work with complex, tight tolerance parts and various materials
✓Meet expectations for productivity
✓Communicate with shop leadership when production is inhibited
✓Continuously provide feedback for process improvements

Qualifications

✓High school diploma or equivalency certificate
✓3+ years of experience in set up, operation and/or programming of 5 axis CNC Mills

Preferred skills and experience

✓Post secondary education in related field
✓Familiarity with Heidenhein machine controls
✓Experience working with various material, such as P-20, H-13, Stainless Steel & Graphite
✓Ability to work off CAD models (NX preferred)
✓Experience with Gundrilling
✓Experience using hand inspection tools to check machined features
✓Experience reading and understanding blueprints, GD&T, notes and tolerances
✓Understanding of basic G-Code and comfortable making adjustment to feeds/speeds

Requirements

✓Must be willing to work all shifts, overtime, and/or weekends as needed
✓Ability to lift up to 25 lbs. unassisted
✓Ability to stand for extended periods - 8 hours min
✓Ability to stoop, bend, crawl, and being able to maneuver in tight spaces
✓Repetitive movement, bending or twisting, using hands to handle, control, or feel objects, tools or controls, exposure to sounds and noise levels that are distracting

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.